Chapter 13 Congress

Copyright © 2011 Cengage WHO GOVERNS? WHO GOVERNS? 1.Are members of Congress representative of the American people? 2.Does Congress normally do what most citizens want it to do? TO WHAT ENDS? TO WHAT ENDS? 1.Should Congress run under strong leadership? 2.Should Congress act more quickly?

Congress versus Parliament Congress Congress Independent representatives of their districts or statesIndependent representatives of their districts or states Principle work is representation and actionPrinciple work is representation and action Parliament Parliament Loyal to national party leadershipLoyal to national party leadership Principle work is debatePrinciple work is debate Copyright © 2011 Cengage

1891, 1895–1899) (left), Joseph G. Cannon (1903–1911) (center), and Sam Rayburn (1941–1947, 1949–1953, 1955–1961) (right). Reed put an end to a filibuster in the House by refusing to allow dilatory motions and by counting as “present”—for purposes of a quorum—members in the House even though they were not voting. Cannon further enlarged the Speaker’s power by refusing to recognize members who wished to speak without Cannon’s approval and by increasing the power of the Rules Committee, over which he presided. Cannon was stripped of much of his power in Rayburn’s influence rested more on his ability to persuade than on his formal powers. p. 316 Copyright © 2011 Cengage Library of Congress AP/Wide World Photos

Perks $174,000 salary $174,000 salary Up to 22 staffers/large office Up to 22 staffers/large office Allowance for travel, computer services, newsletters (franking privilege) Allowance for travel, computer services, newsletters (franking privilege) Copyright © 2011 Cengage

The Evolution of Congress Bicameral (two chamber) legislature Bicameral (two chamber) legislature House of House of Representatives Representatives Senate Senate Centralization vs. Centralization vs. decentralization decentralization Copyright © 2011 Cengage One of the most powerful Speakers of the House, Henry Clay, is shown here addressing the U. S. Senate around p. 318 Library of Congress

Evolution of Congress House of Representation problems House of Representation problems Large 435 members Large 435 members Members want to be powerful as individuals and as a group Members want to be powerful as individuals and as a group Makes it difficult to run Makes it difficult to run Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Evolution of Congress Senate Senate Small 100 members Small 100 members Until the 1900s, they weren’t elected by the people, rather state legislatures Until the 1900s, they weren’t elected by the people, rather state legislatures Today, voted on by the people Today, voted on by the people Copyright © 2011 Cengage

eractive-learning-modules eractive-learning-modules eractive-learning-modules eractive-learning-modules Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Filibusters Found in the Senate Found in the Senate Prolonged speech used to delay action in legislative assembly Prolonged speech used to delay action in legislative assembly Unpopular/delays tactics Unpopular/delays tactics Need 60 senators to agree to end it Need 60 senators to agree to end it Copyright © 2011 Cengage

A cartoon from Puck in 1890 expressed popular resentment over the “Millionaires Club,” as the Senate had become known. p. 320 Copyright © 2011 Cengage New York Public Library

Who is in Congress? Sex and Race Sex and Race Incumbency Incumbency Marginal districts Safe districts Party Party Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Sex and Race 1950 to 2009, House has become less male and less white 1950 to 2009, House has become less male and less white 9-77 women 9-77 women 2-42 African Americans 2-42 African Americans 25 Hispanics 25 Hispanics Senate less diverse Senate less diverse Before 1992, no African Americans and only 2 women Before 1992, no African Americans and only 2 women Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Incumbency Early in USA not a political career Early in USA not a political career By 1950s become a career to serve in Congress By 1950s become a career to serve in Congress Americans view them as out of touch (Term limit discussion) Americans view them as out of touch (Term limit discussion) 1994, 90% of all House members re- elected 1994, 90% of all House members re- elected Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Marginal districts House of Representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55% of the vote House of Representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55% of the vote Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Safe Districts Incumbents win by margins of 55% or more Incumbents win by margins of 55% or more Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Why do incumbents have an advantage Free mailing to voters Free mailing to voters Travel frequently at public expense to meet with constituents Travel frequently at public expense to meet with constituents Having a familiar name Having a familiar name Use power to get programs passed for their states (new highway, keep military base open) Use power to get programs passed for their states (new highway, keep military base open) Copyright © 2011 Cengage

What determines how Congress people vote? Representational view=vote based on what their constituents want Representational view=vote based on what their constituents want Organizational View=take a cue/vote on how others in their party vote/people who they are closely ideologically aligned too Organizational View=take a cue/vote on how others in their party vote/people who they are closely ideologically aligned too Attitudinal View=Vote based on ideological/may not vote with party (conservative coalition of Democrats may vote Republican) Attitudinal View=Vote based on ideological/may not vote with party (conservative coalition of Democrats may vote Republican) Copyright © 2011 Cengage