December 4, 2014 Objectives: To develop a better understanding of Congress Question: How many representatives to the House does Washington have?

CONGRESS

The Constitution and the Legislative Branch of Government Article Ibicameral Article I creates a bicameral legislative branch of government. Senate two The upper house is called the Senate in which each state receives two representatives. Name WA’s two Senators. House of Representatives apportioned by population The lower house is called the House of Representatives which is apportioned by population. Name your Representative for the 10 th District. Senatesix-year term The Senate has a six-year term with 1/3 of the seats up for reelection every two years. Name which of our State’s senators just won re-election. Housetwo-year terms House members serve two-year terms.

Apportionment and Redistricting every ten yearscensus The Constitution requires that all Americans be counted every ten years by a census. The census determines the representation in the House of Representatives. Redistricting Redistricting ( the redrawing of congressional districts to reflect changes in seats allocated to the states from population shifts ) is done by state legislatures and, of course, always has political overtones. gerrymandering When the process is outrageously political, it is called gerrymandering and is often struck down by the courts.

Powers of Congress Taxation Lawmaking Declare War Regulate Commerce Spend Money Create Courts Make all laws “necessary and proper” to carrying out the enumerated powers

Constitutional Powers of Congress make laws The most important constitutional power of Congress is the power to make laws. House Senate This power is shared by the House and the Senate. bothHouse Senate In order to become a law, a bill must be passed by both the House and the Senate.

Key Differences Key Differences House Senate revenue Initiate revenue bills Two-year term 438 Formal Specialist Tax policy Advise and consent Six-year term 100 Relaxed Generalist Foreign policy

Congress Leadership House: the Speaker of the House majority leader of the House (wields real power) minority leader of the House whips (assistants who aid the majority or minority leaders) Senate: presided by the Vice-President president pro tempore majority floor leader minority floor leader

The Members of Congress Congress is older, better educated, whiter, and richer than most of us. However, great strides have been made. Currently, both California and Washington State senators are women. Points to ponder: Can a man represent a woman? Can a white person adequately represent the views of a black person?

Committee Membership Committee System - The real work of Congress is done in committees. Based on party affiliation Seniority Chairman-most seniority & power There are 4 types of committees: 1.Standing 2. Special 3. Joint 4. Conference Standing - always exist Select - special purpose, limited time Joint - members of both houses, investigate something Conference - members of both houses, work out differences in legislation

Organization of Congress The Speaker of the House is the official leader of the House of Representatives. He/She is 3 rd in line for the Presidency. The speaker controls the selection of Committee members in the House. The Majority leader is second in power behind the Speaker. He/She presents the official position of the party on issues and tries to keep party members loyal to that position

Organization of Congress The President of the Senate is the Vice–President of the U.S. In cases of a tie, (50 – 50) the Vice- President will cast the tie breaking vote. For day to day operations, a president pro tempore is elected. This person is usually party of the majority party and senior member of the Senate

Final 5 Which house of Congress do you think will be more diverse? Why?

December 3, 2014 Objectives: To develop a better understanding of Congress Tomorrow: Mock Congress begins! Get out your notes and charts Get with your partner and write these percentages down. White 72%Hispanics 11% Black 13% Asian/Pac. Islander 4%

Statistical Analysis 1. Identify which house of Congress is more diverse. 2. African Americans are one of the largest minority groups in the US population. How does the African American percentage of total population compare to their representation in Congress, which has a total of 535 members (House + Senate)? African Americans 3. Now compare the percentage of Hispanics in the US population to their representation in Congress.Hispanics 4. EXTENDED RESPONSE: 4. EXTENDED RESPONSE: Use the ratios you found to write an opinion statement on minority representation in Congress.

The Representational Role of Members of Congress How should an elected official represent his/her constituents? Trustee Trustee - representatives use their own best judgment Delegate Delegate - representatives vote the way their constituents want them to Politico Politico - representatives act as trustee or delegate depending on the issue 6. YOUR OPINION: Which of these representational roles do you agree with more? Explain why!

How Congress is Organized Every two years, a new Congress is seated. Which number will be assigned the Congress sworn in on Jan. 3, 2015? The first order of business is the election of leaders and adoption of new rules. Both houses of Congress are organized on the basis of party for both leadership and committee purposes. Which party controls both houses of Congress?

How a Bill becomes Law

Different Types of Congressional Committees Standing Committee Standing Committee: continues from one Congress to the next. Joint Committee Joint Committee: set up to expedite business between the two houses. Conference committee Conference committee: special joint committees that resolve differences in bills passed by either house. Ad hoc, special, or select committees Ad hoc, special, or select committees: temporary committees designed for a specific purpose.

The Law-Making Function of Congress Only a member of the House or Senate may introduce a bill but anyone can write a bill. 5 to 10% are enacted Over 9,000 bills are proposed and fewer than 5 to 10% are enacted. Most bills originate in the Executive Branch. Who is the Chief Executive? committeesfloor conference committee A bill must survive three stages to become a law: committees, the floor, and the conference committee. A bill can die at any stage.

Gun Control Legislation Following Publicized Shootings Since 1968

How Members Make Decisions It is rare for a legislator to disregard strong wishes of constituents, particularly on hot-button issues or those contentious issues that get a lot of media attention. Deciding how the voters feel is not possible. The perceptions of the representative are important since he/she cannot really know how all the constituents feel about an issue. If constituents have little knowledge or interest in an issue, the legislator often makes an autonomous decision.

Representative Colleagues Constituents Staff Caucuses Party Interest Groups Political Action Committees How Members Make Decisions

Congress and the President more powerful Especially since the 1930s, the president has seemed to be more powerful than Congress. However, Congress retains several key powers vis-à-vis the president: funding powers oversight impeachment/removal

Congressional Oversight of the Executive Branch Congress has the power to review the actions of the Executive Branch Congressional oversight is used to ensure that the bureaucracy is enforcing and interpreting laws the way Congress intended.