Reforming Congress Reducing Perks and Abuse Chapter 13, Theme 6

If Congress is “broken,” how can it be FIXED? 1.Term limits 2.Curbing Pork Barrel spending and earmarks 3.Abolishing or further limiting the franking privilege 4.Making Congress follow their own rules 5.Having zero tolerance for ethics violations

Limiting Congressional Tenure Several attempts by states to impose term limits—UNCONSTITUTIONAL Several states pushed for a constitutional amendment (similar to 22 nd Amendment) Pro/Con of each position?

Reducing Earmarks/Pork Barrel Legislation Define the above terms. The same? Pork barrel legislation Pork barrel legislation is the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district. An Earmark An Earmark is a congressional directive that funds should be spent on a specific project. Give several relevant examples. CH Lighthouse move, Bridge to Nowhere CH Lighthouse move, Bridge to NowhereBridge to NowhereBridge to Nowhere Are all pork projects frivolous?

Trimming the Fat from the Budget How do so many of these items get passed? Reciprocity/Logrolling Reciprocity/Logrolling Senate Rules Senate Rules Committee Power Committee Power Why fewer earmarks? Public outcry over national debt Public outcry over national debtnational debtnational debt Special interest/watchdog scrutiny (Pig Book by CAGW) Special interest/watchdog scrutiny (Pig Book by CAGW)Pig Book by CAGWPig Book by CAGW Congressional moratorium Congressional moratorium Congressional moratorium Congressional moratorium

Fencing the Frank Redefine the term. Free mailing privilege Free mailing privilege Advantages of the perk? Inform constituents Inform constituents Others? Others? Disadvantages of the perk? Huge expense Huge expense Political advantage for incumbents Political advantage for incumbents

Following their own laws Why not follow some laws? Upset checks & balances (Increase executive authority over Congress) Upset checks & balances (Increase executive authority over Congress) Examples of exemptions Examples of exemptions Social Security STOCK Act Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Congressional Accountability Act of Created Office of Compliance to solve the issues of separation of powers Created Office of Compliance to solve the issues of separation of powers

Keeping Ethical Practices What happens when members of Congress act illegally or unethically? Investigation Investigation Resignation Resignation Stripped of power (chairmanship) Stripped of power (chairmanship) Fines Fines Reprimand Reprimand Censure Censure Expulsion Expulsion

Assignment Read pp & handout. Create a Venn diagram to compare & contrast the President & a Prime Minister. Complete the FRQ on divided government. Outline 3 fears of the Framers concerning the President & the constitutional solution to that fear. Due Thursday.