Prof. Bruno Pierri Lingua Inglese The Congress of the United States December 10th, 2009

The Congress of the United States Historical Roots: US Constitution, Article I, Section 1: All legislative powers vested in a Congress, consisting of Senate and House of Representatives Historical Roots: US Constitution, Article I, Section 1: All legislative powers vested in a Congress, consisting of Senate and House of Representatives Section 2: HR composed of Members chosen every two years by electors in each State (now 435 Members) Section 2: HR composed of Members chosen every two years by electors in each State (now 435 Members) Eligiblity to HR is 25 years of age, 7 years as citizen of the US and resident, when elected, in the State represented. Each State elects a number of Representatives according to population living in its territory (not only residents) Eligiblity to HR is 25 years of age, 7 years as citizen of the US and resident, when elected, in the State represented. Each State elects a number of Representatives according to population living in its territory (not only residents) Section 3: Senate composed of two Senators from each State (now 100 members), chosen by the Legislature for six years Section 3: Senate composed of two Senators from each State (now 100 members), chosen by the Legislature for six years XVII Amendment 1913: Senators elected by people XVII Amendment 1913: Senators elected by people One third of Senate elected every two years One third of Senate elected every two years Eligiblity to Sen. is 30 years of age, 9 years as citizen of the US and resident, when elected, in the State represented Eligiblity to Sen. is 30 years of age, 9 years as citizen of the US and resident, when elected, in the State represented

Powers of Congress Congress may exercise only those powers granted by Constitution Congress may exercise only those powers granted by Constitution Implied Powers: Powers inferred from general language in founding document Implied Powers: Powers inferred from general language in founding document 1) Lay and collect taxes 2) Borrow money 3) Defence and welfare of the US 4) Declare war 5) Raise ans support armed forces 6) Regulate foreign commerce 7) Control immigration… Police power vested in State and local Govt, but FBI is federal police Police power vested in State and local Govt, but FBI is federal police

Taxation without Representation Washington D.C.: Washington D.C.: A) Federal Capital, not a State B) Local and federal taxes C) Three electoral votes in presidential elections D) No congressional representation, apart from delegates with role of observers only

Single-member Districts All members of HR elected in single-member districts All members of HR elected in single-member districts Number of districts in each State depends on its population Number of districts in each State depends on its population In Senate two people represent a State, but their election is separate. States are single- member districts because one candidate wins a seat in each election In Senate two people represent a State, but their election is separate. States are single- member districts because one candidate wins a seat in each election

Two Senators per State Equal representation in Senate and proportional representation in HR Equal representation in Senate and proportional representation in HR Larger States wanted Congress in proportion to State population Larger States wanted Congress in proportion to State population Smaller States thought this plan would jeopardise their interests Smaller States thought this plan would jeopardise their interests Compromise Compromise A) Membership in Lower House in proportion to State population B) Membership in Upper House: two seats to each State

Length of Senate Term Some delegates wanted strong independent Senate Some delegates wanted strong independent Senate Some feared tyranny of aristocratic Upper House Some feared tyranny of aristocratic Upper House Some wanted lifelong term Some wanted lifelong term Compromise: Six-year-term gives Senators more authority to ignore mass sentiment in favour of country's broad interests Compromise: Six-year-term gives Senators more authority to ignore mass sentiment in favour of country's broad interests Senators elected by State legislatures (superseded by XVII Amendment) because framers wanted to keep Upper House away from emotions of masses Senators elected by State legislatures (superseded by XVII Amendment) because framers wanted to keep Upper House away from emotions of masses

Senate Powers and Procedures Impeachment Impeachment A) HR has power to impeach a Govt official, serving as prosecutor B) Senate has power to conduct impeachment trials, serving as judge and jury Nominations: President nominates Justices, Ambassadors and other public Ministers and Consuls with advice and consent of the Senate Nominations: President nominates Justices, Ambassadors and other public Ministers and Consuls with advice and consent of the Senate Treaties: Senate has power to approve, change, or amend, by a two-thirds vote, treaties made by Executive Treaties: Senate has power to approve, change, or amend, by a two-thirds vote, treaties made by Executive

Filibuster and Cloture Delaying debate or blocking legislation is called filibuster Delaying debate or blocking legislation is called filibuster Senators have two freedoms no other legislator worldwide possesses: Senators have two freedoms no other legislator worldwide possesses: A) Unlimited debate B) Unlimited opportunity to offer amendments In 1917 Senate adopted Cloture to end filibuster. Cloture cannot be voted until two days after it is proposed in a petition signed by 16 Senators. It requires a three- fifths vote In 1917 Senate adopted Cloture to end filibuster. Cloture cannot be voted until two days after it is proposed in a petition signed by 16 Senators. It requires a three- fifths vote

Senate Offices Vice President officially serves as presiding officer of Senate, but rarely performs this role Vice President officially serves as presiding officer of Senate, but rarely performs this role President pro tempore serves as presiding officer on a day-to-day basis President pro tempore serves as presiding officer on a day-to-day basis Majority Leader is most powerful figure in Senate Majority Leader is most powerful figure in Senate Floor Leaders: Majority and Minority Leader, elected by members of their party at beginning of each Congress, serving as spokespersons for their party. Majority Leader sets legislative programme and offers motions or amendments before any other Senator Floor Leaders: Majority and Minority Leader, elected by members of their party at beginning of each Congress, serving as spokespersons for their party. Majority Leader sets legislative programme and offers motions or amendments before any other Senator Majority and Minority Whips: The word comes from fox- hunting and refers to person responsible for keeping dogs from straying from team. Responsible for counting heads and rounding up members for votes. Responsible for closely watching party members to determine how they vote and if they attend vote procedures Majority and Minority Whips: The word comes from fox- hunting and refers to person responsible for keeping dogs from straying from team. Responsible for counting heads and rounding up members for votes. Responsible for closely watching party members to determine how they vote and if they attend vote procedures

House of Representatives Offices Speaker of the House: Third Office of the Union, most important position in HR, controlling schedule for House business, recognizing members during debate. Spokesperson for Majority Party Speaker of the House: Third Office of the Union, most important position in HR, controlling schedule for House business, recognizing members during debate. Spokesperson for Majority Party Speaker is head of majority party, but usually does not participate in debate and rarely votes Speaker is head of majority party, but usually does not participate in debate and rarely votes Speaker responsible for House to pass legislation supported by majority party Speaker responsible for House to pass legislation supported by majority party Majority Leader/Majority Whip. ML controls party’s efforts on the floor and is second-highest ranking person of majority party. MW responsible for watching party members to determine how they vote Majority Leader/Majority Whip. ML controls party’s efforts on the floor and is second-highest ranking person of majority party. MW responsible for watching party members to determine how they vote Minority Leader/Minority Whip: th Minority Leader/Minority Whip: they perform the same job for minority party