The Congress 10/24/2011

Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: – identify and explain the role of formal (congressional) institutions and their effect on policy. – to understand and interpret the United States Constitution and apply it to present policy dilemmas. – have a better understanding of why our national government works and why the American system of government is unique.

Office Hours and Readings Chapter 8 on Congress Office Hours – Tuesday 8-10 – Wednesday 8-10

THE CONGRESS Article I

The Great Compromise

Eligibility House 25 Years Old 7 Years a US resident Citizen Senate 30 Years old 9 Years a US resident Citizen

The Senate 2 Seats for Every State 6 year Terms that overlap 9 States have more than 50% of population, but 18% of representation

The House 435 Seats Divided by Population 2-year terms 700,000 Constituents

REDISTRICTING AND REAPPORTIONMENT

Reapportionment Dividing up the 435 House Seats Based on the Census Every state Gets 1 (50 states) 385 Seats are at play every year

Winners and Losers 2012

Redistricting The process of redrawing districts within a state State legislatures control the battle Very Political

Laws on Redistricting Districts must have equal populations You cannot destroy a party either You cannot dilute minority voting Malapportionment

Gerrymandering An Eponym Politically motivated redefinition of election districts. Not possible in the Senate

Packing and Cracking

Partisan Gerrymandering The Most Traditional Form Drawing lines to favor a political party Some of the WorstWorst

Racial Gerrymandering The Original intent Voting Rights Act The Modern intent – Descriptive representation – Majority minority districts The Political Implications

GERRYMANDERING AND THE CASE OF TEXAS

The Events Leading Up to it all In 2000, the Democrats Gerrymander the state in their favor In 2002, the Democrats get 44% of the vote and 54% of the Seats in Congress Republicans take the Texas House and Senate and want payback

Payback Courtesy of Tom De Lay A mid-year reapportionment Strategy – 2 for 1s – Create unsafe seats – Make life miserable

What it did locally

Why it Fell apart Voting Rights Act One district ruled in violation The Rest Fell like dominoes But the Damage Was Done

What Happened to Tom De Lay? DWTS Currently on bail awaiting an appeal on money laundering

GETTING TO CONGRESS

The Bad Old Days Congress Did very Little It was seen as a penance D.C. Was not a nice place

What has changed? Air Conditioning Congress does more People want to go there

Who Are Our Congressman: Wealthy

Why so many millionaires? Running for Congress is a costly endeavor Running for Congress is a full-time job You need a job that permits this

Congress is Older

Still More Men Than Women

Changes Since the 1990’s

A GREAT JOB

Well-Paid

Great Benefits Money For Trips and Travel Great Pension Cheap Health Care

Other Perks Great Parking 3 day work week Franking Privilege Power and Prestige