Congress, Part Two http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgYLr_LfhLo

Congressional Elections The single most important advantage to someone trying to get elected to Congress is being an incumbent. The Advantages of Incumbents Advertising: The goal is to be visible to your voters. Frequent trips home & newsletters are used. (Franking Privilege)

Congressional Elections The Advantages of Incumbents Credit Claiming: Service to individuals in their district (very important) Casework: specifically helping constituents get what they think they have a right to. Ex. Helping someone gain citizenship. Pork Barrel: federal projects, grants, etc. made available in a congressional district or state. http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4360461/rep-flake-earmarks See what I did for my district etc. Contracts available to cities, businesses, colleges and institutions which members of Congress seek to influence to promote the interests of their constituency.

Casework

Congressional Elections The Advantages of Incumbents Position Taking: Portray themselves as hard working, dedicated individuals. Occasionally take a partisan stand on an issue. Able to raise more campaign money than their challengers. Their staff helps solve problems for constituents which builds good will for their bosses that gives them support back home.

Congressional Elections The Advantages of Incumbents Weak Opponents: Most opponents are inexperienced in politics. Most opponents are unorganized and underfunded.

Congressional Elections The Role of Party Identification Most members represent the majority party in their district. Defeating Incumbents Some incumbents face problems after a scandal or other complication in office. They may get drawn out of their district. They may face massive voter retaliation.

Congressional Elections Money in Congressional Elections, 2012 The average House candidate spent approx. $1.7 million The average Senate candidate spent over $10.5 million Most money comes from? Mostly Individual donations. Most money comes from individual contributors.

Congressional Elections Several reasons why incumbent senators have greater competition than members of the House: An entire state is more diverse than a single member district Senate challengers are better funded Draw more visible challengers Senators have less contact with their constituents

Congressional Elections Stability and Change Incumbents winning provides stability in Congress. But, it makes it more difficult to change Congress through elections. Are term limits an answer?

What are some of the disadvantages of having the same people in congress year and year? Continuity discourages change while encouraging close relations with interest groups. Because incumbents benefit the most from existing campaign finance laws, they have no incentive to reform them.

Types of Committees - 90% of all bills die in committee Select committee – formed for specific purposes and usually temporary – run investigations (ex. Watergate, Iran Contra, 911 Commission) Standing committee – handle bills in different policy areas (ex. Appropriations, Ways and Means, Agriculture, Armed Services, Science, etc.) – most important and have been “standing” (existing) for a long time

Types of Committees Joint committee – consist of both House and Senate members similar in purpose to Select committee Meant to draw attention to issues Gather information and oversee executive agencies but do not report legislation (ex. Library and Printing) Conference committee - consist of both House reps and Senators formed to hammer out differences between House and Senate versions of similar bills Library of Congress and Government printing office which overseas the Congressional Record which publishes all the speeches and debates on the house and senate floor.

How Congress is Organized to Make Policy The Committees and Subcommittees The Committees at Work: Legislation and Oversight Committees work on the 11,000 bills every year. Some hold hearings and “mark up” meetings. Serve as a reference for other members.

How Congress is Organized to Make Policy Oversight involves hearings and other methods of pressuring the executive branch into action. Example: Congress reviews and restricts the annual budget by passing authorization bills and by setting appropriations for each program it authorizes. As the size of government grows, oversight grows too.

Getting on a Committee Members want to get on the right committee. Members want committee assignments that will help them get reelected and gain influence. New members express their committee preferences to the party leaders. Support of the party is important in getting on the right committee. Parties try and grant committee assignments. Agriculture Committee attracts farming states and Armed Services Committess are for those from large military bases districts etc. All gains influence

Chairs and the Seniority System The chair is the most important position for controlling legislation. Chairs were chosen strictly by seniority within the committee. Now seniority is a general rule, and members may choose the chair of their committee.

Congressional Caucuses Groupings of members pushing for similar interests Caucuses pressure for committee meetings and hearings and for votes on bills. Caucuses can be more effective than lobbyists. Ex. – Sunbelt, Northeast-Midwest, Congressional Black, Women’s, Democratic Study Group,

Congressional Staff Personal staff: Work for the member. Mainly providing constituent service, but help with legislation too. Committee staff: organize hearings, research & write legislation, target of lobbyists. Staff Agencies: CRS, GAO, CBO provide specific information to Congress.

Criticisms of Congress “Pork” – aka “pork-barrel legislation” – bills to benefit constituents in hope of gaining their votes Logrolling – Congress members exchange votes, bills might pass for frivolous reasons Christmas-tree bill –bill with many riders (pork) in Senate, no limit exists on amendments, so Senators try to attach riders that will benefit their home state http://www.c-span.org/video/?296587-5/congressional-earmarks http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-flake-on-cutting-congressional-pork/

The Implied Powers of Congress