Intro to Congress Policy Makers

How does the US Congress operate? intro How does the US Congress operate?

Constitution Congress

Congress Constitution Articles of Confederation Congress was the only branch of government under the Articles It gave equal representation to each state The members of Congress elected the “executive” which was not independent It was the only body of the federal government

Congress Constitution Constitution It is the first thing set up in the Constitution It is much longer and more specific than Articles 2 or 3 Congress is given lots of specific powers and it provides for Congress’s powers to expand We know the Framers intended it to be the most powerful part of the government

Congress Constitution Article 1 Congress is bicameral – made up of the House and the Senate The House of Representatives represents the people in districts The Senate represents the states Congress is given the legislative power to create policy for the country

Congress Constitution Article 1 Sets up formal qualifications for being a member of Congress Congress is given expansive powers to regulate the economy Article 1, Section 8 lists the expressed powers of Congress Certain powers are specifically denied to congress.

Bicameral Congress Congress

Congress Bicameralism History British Govt had a bicameral legislature The lower house ( House of Commons) represented the masses The upper House (House of Lords) represented special interests Most states had already set up bicameral legislatures based on the British model The Framers knew the two house model worked to balance interests of the masses and the elites

Congress Bicameralism Compromises Virginia Plan – wanted legislature based on population. New Jersey Plan – wanted states represented equally in legislature The big states would only ratify VA Plan. Small states would only ratify NJ Plan. Three fourths of states had to agree to ratify the constitution “Great Compromise” creating two house Congress that combined both plans was the only way to get the Constitution ratified

Congress Bicameralism Separation of Powers Both houses have to agree in order to pass a law Each house can check the other & keep it from becoming too powerful Each house is given unique powers that the other one doesn’t have

Congress Bicameralism Separation of Powers Originally the House is the only part directly elected The Senate was appointed by the states instead of elected by the people This limited the power of the people to control the legislature The Senate prevents the House from only doing the most popular things

Congress Bicameralism Separation of Powers Since the House represents the people, it tends to be a little more extreme The Senate tends to be much more moderate than the House The Senate was picked by elites – so they were less likely to try to please the people The Senate would prevent the House from only focusing on popular legislation

Congressman’s Job Congress

Congress Nature of the Job The Job of Congress They are supposed to make the laws that are best for the country To get re-elected they have to do what is best for their constituency What is best for the constituency is not always the same as what is best for the country

Congress Nature of the Job The Job of Congress They have to please their voters To get promoted – they have to be good members of the party They cannot always do what they want because they have to worry so much about re-election

Representation Models Congress

Theories of Representation Congress Theories of Representation Delegate Role The Congressman votes based on the wishes of his constituency When an issue arises, the Congressman listens to people from his constituency Voters call, write letters, and advocate for the side they choose The congressman will vote in Congress based on whichever way the majority of his constituents told him to - despite his own personal beliefs

Theories of Representation Congress Theories of Representation Trustee Role The Congressman votes based on his own beliefs He feels like his constituents “trust him” to make the best decisions Voters elected the best decision maker and they want him to decide on their behalf The congressman will vote in Congress based on what he knows is best, and that people will re-elect him since he makes good decisions

Theories of Representation Congress Theories of Representation Partisan Role The Congressman votes based on what his party tells him He feels like his constituents elected him because they agree with democratic rule or republican rule Voters elected the person in order to ensure the party has more votes in Congress The congressman will vote in Congress based on the party’s goals, and knows there are more Republican or Democrat voters in their district – and this is what they want.

Theories of Representation Congress Theories of Representation Politico Role The is a combo of all three Every congressman is actually this model They choose a decision making model whenever it is most convenient for them

Compensation Congress

Congress Perks Compensation $174,000 per year salary Have an office and a staff in Washington DC Have an office and a staff in their constituency. Senators have several offices across their states Travel back and forth is covered by taxes.

Congress Perks Compensation Generous health insurance and retirement benefits Free restaurants in DC, Congressional gym membership, free flowers from the DC botanic garden whenever they want Franking Privilege – they get to mail their constituency for free

Bigly Ideas Beliefs & Behaviors

Theories of Representation Congress Wrap Up Article 1 Dual nature of job Theories of Representation Focus on these things: