To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition Karen O’Connor and Larry J. Sabato  Pearson Education, 2009  Chapter 7 Congress

Roots of the Legislative Branch  Great Compromise leads to bicameral legislature.  Two per state in Senate, House by population.  House district size determined by apportionment.  House district shape determined by redistricting.  Senators must be 30, serve six-year terms.  Representatives must be 25, serve two-year terms.

Powers of Congress  Most important power is to make law.  Bill cannot become law without both branches.  Also declare war, coin money, raise military.  Regulate commerce, immigration, courts.  Revenue bills must begin in House.  Senate handles impeachment trials.

Role of Political PartiesPolitical Parties  Majority party has most members.  Minority party has second most members.  Key role in committee system and organization.organization  Party caucuses also choose policy priorities.

House of Representatives  More tightly structured, governed by more rules.  Party loyalty plays a more important role.  Powerful Speaker of the House chosen by all members.  Party caucuses pick majority and minority leaders.  Whips assist party leaders.

Senate  Vice president is the official presiding officer.  Official chair is the president pro tempore.  True leader is the majority leader.  Also have whips.  More informal than House.More informal than House  Controlling Senate challenging, run by folkways.  Importance of rules such as filibuster and cloture.

Committee System  Much of the actual work gets done by committees.  Standing committees are where bills are referred.  Joint committees include members from both houses.  Conference committees finalize bills.  Select committees deal with temporary issues.  Importance of House Rules Committee.  Discharge petitions force bills out of committee.

Committee Membership  Members serve on multiple committees at a time.  Request assignments based on interest or district.  Often want access to pork or earmarks.  Some assignments are good for campaigning.  Membership represents party division in house.  Chairs have tremendous agenda-setting power.  Chairs no longer chosen by seniority.

Members of Congress  Professionalization after World War I.  Members must please those in D.C. and in district.Members must please those in D.C. and in district  Incumbency helps members to stay in office.Incumbency  95 percent of incumbents win reelection.  Members more educated, white, and male than U.S.Members more educated, white, and male than U.S

Theories of Representation  Trustees hear constituents and make own judgments.  Delegates vote as their constituents want.  Most members act as politicos.  May also be influenced by race or gender.

How Members Make Decisions  Party has become important in divided government.  Constituent opinion, especially on important issues.Constituent opinion  Colleagues and caucuses.  Role of logrolling.  Interest group lobbying and money.  Staff and support agencies.support agencies

How a Bill Becomes a Law  Stage-by-stage process offers many opportunities to fail.  Parallel processes in House and Senate.  Committee is first step, role of markup.  Moves to floor, Senators may use hold or filibuster.  Conference committee if both chambers approve.  President can sign or veto.

Congress and the Executive  President has become increasingly powerful.  Congress, in turn, has increased oversight hearings.  Also uses congressional review.  War Powers Act should give Congress role in war.  Congress confirms presidential appointments.  Congress can impeach president.impeach

Congress and the Judiciary  Courts can overturn laws if unconstitutional.  Congress reviews judicial nominees.  Role of senatorial courtesy.  Congress also sets courts’ jurisdiction.

AV- Congressional Approval  Back

Figure 7.1- Organization of Congress  Back

Figure th Congress  Back

Figure 7.3- Female and Minority Members  Back

Figure 7.4- How a Bill Becomes a Law  Back

Table 7.1- The Powers of Congress  Back

Table 7.2- House Versus Senate  Back

Table 7.3- Congressional Committees  Back

Table 7.4- A Day in the Life of a Member  Back

Table 7.5- Advantages of Incumbency  Back

Table 7.6- Support Agencies  Back

Table 7.7- Impeachment  Back