Incumbency Advantage Franking Privilege

Incumbency Advantage Franking Privilege Pork Barrel

Who does Congress represent?

Incumbency Advantage Franking Privilege Pork Barrel Constituent Service

Incumbency Advantage Franking Privilege Pork Barrel Constituent Service Interest Groups

Incumbency Advantage Franking Privilege Pork Barrel Constituent Service Interest Groups Media

How a bill becomes a law…

How a Bill Becomes a Law The Process: Bill Introduction

Bill Introduction Any member of Congress can introduce a bill. Individuals and groups outside of Congress also influence this process.

Bill Introduction House – Hopper Senate – Presiding Officer Tax legislation

How a Bill Becomes a Law The Process: Committee Process Bill Introduction Committee Process Up to 90% of bills die here >>>Subcommittee Witnesses Markup >>>Full Committee

How a Bill Becomes a Law The Process: Floor Action Bill Introduction Committee Process Floor Action Filibuster Cloture “Nuclear Option”

How a Bill Becomes a Law The Process: Conference Committee Bill Introduction Committee Process Floor Action Conference Committee

How a Bill Becomes a Law The Process: Presidential Decision Bill Introduction Committee Process Floor Action Conference Committee Presidential Decision

Presidential Decision What options does a president have?

Presidential Veto Bush – 12 (none in first term) Clinton - 37 George H.W. Bush - 44 Ronald Reagan – 78 Obama - 2 Clinton also utilized the line item veto

Filibuster Who has the power to filibuster? What effect does the filibuster have on the political process?  Should the filibuster be retained, partially limited, or ended entirely -- and why? 

Earmarks What are earmarks? How important were they financially, symbolically, and in terms of their significance to the political process?  Who was helped by the GOP vow against earmarking?  Was the GOP's decision good or bad for the country?

Bicameralism  What was the main reason the Founders proposed two chambers in Congress?  Is that the same reason as the states had for creating bicameral legislatures?  Why are states considering ditching the bicameral system?  Should the same logic be applied to the U.S. Congress?