Chapter 11 CONGRESS

The Structural Foundations of the Modern Congress The ability and willingness of the members of Congress to meet their responsibilities is affected by other government institutions and actors, by political linkage institutions (such as interest groups, public opinion, and elections), and by structural factors (such as constitutional rules and economic and social change).

Constitutional Design The framers of the Constitution were ambivalent about democracy and concerned about the possibility of government tyranny. They also wanted an energetic government capable of accomplishing its assigned tasks. The framers intended for the legislative branch to be the center of policymaking The framers also made sure that Congress was surrounded by competing centers of government power.

Representation in Congress Apportionment Established through the Great Compromise Based on population in the House of Representatives and on equal representation of the states in the Senate. Election of legislators

Federalism In our federal system, some powers and responsibilities are granted to the national government, some are shared, and some are reserved for the states. It is inevitable that conflicts will occur between state governments and the national government. Federalism also infuses localism into congressional affairs.

Historical Development of Congress 1st Congress convened on March 4, 1789 Increase in size Increase in the volume of congressional business Institutionalization and professionalization Sharing power with the president

Representation and Democracy Styles of representation Edmund Burke described two principal styles of representation in 1774. Delegate theory Trustee theory Senators (who have longer terms of office) usually have more latitude than representatives to assume the trustee style.

Members of Congress: Who are they? Gender and race Occupation One way to represent is to be similar to that which is being represented.

The Electoral Connection How congressional elections affect the quality of representation Electoral districts Money and congressional elections The incumbency factor How democratic?

How Congress Works Congress plays an important part in making policy. Congress remains the most powerful legislature among Western democratic nations. The congressional agenda

Political parties in Congress At the opening of each new Congress, the two houses organize their legislative business along party lines. Party composition of Congress Party voting in Congress Party discipline

Congressional leadership The political parties work through the leadership structure of Congress. Leaders of the majority political party are also the leaders of the House and Senate. Leadership in the House Leadership in the Senate

Congressional committees Most of the work of Congress takes place in its committees and subcommittees. Why Congress has committees: purposes Types of committees Committee assignments Committee and subcommittee chairs Rules and Norms

Legislative Responsibilities: How a Bill Becomes a Law It is extremely difficult to make law because it is relatively easy to block bills from becoming laws. Only about 6 percent of all bills that are introduced are enacted into law.

Introducing a bill Committee action Floor action Conference committee Presidential action

Legislative oversight of the executive branch Reviewing the performance of executive branch agencies to ensure that laws are being properly administered and that power is not being abused An important legislative responsibility of Congress Primarily managed by the committees and subcommittees Hearings are an important part of the process.

Congress, Public Policy, and the American People Congress as policymaker Frequent criticisms of Congress Assessment of criticisms: The evidence is mixed