Congress

Congress and the Constitution Bicameral – Great Compromise – Pluralism Differences between House and Senate – Qualifications and Terms – Filibuster – Rules Committee – Apportionment, the census, redistricting, and Gerrymandering Changes – Civil War Amendments – 17 th Amendment – 19 th Amendment – 27 th Amendment – 1965 Voting Rights Act

Differences and Changes

How many women and minorities serve in Congress?

What is a typical day like for a member of Congress?

Reelection

What are the advantages of incumbency?

Redistricting and Gerrymandering

Virginia’s Third and Seventh Districts

Virginia’s Congressional Districts

Helping Constituents Casework Pork Barrel Legislation – Logrolling Stages of a congressperson’s career – Reelection – Increase power in institution – Policy maker

Congressional Powers

Powers of Congress

Lawmaking Power Committee referral – Markups Floor debate – Holds – Filibusters Cloture Final approval – Vetoes – Pocket vetoes

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Budgetary Power Congressional Budget Act of 1974 – Reconciliation – Timeline on budget process Pork and earmarks

Oversight Power War Powers Act (1973) Congressional review Confirmation of presidential appointments – Senatorial courtesy Impeachment

Organization of Congress

How Congress is Organized

Kinds of Committees Standing – Ways and Means – Appropriations – Rules Subcommittees Select – Select Intelligence Joint Conference

Choosing Committee Members Party Seniority – Changes Role of the Chair – Make key decisions about the work of the committee – Decide when hearings will be held and which witnesses will be called – Hire staff and control the budget – Manage floor debates on bills coming from their committee

Committees in Congress

Purposes of Committees – Allows members to divide their work and become specialists – Sort through numerous bills – Educate the public through hearings and investigations Purposes of Committees – Allows members to divide their work and become specialists – Sort through numerous bills – Educate the public through hearings and investigations

Influences on Lawmakers Whether or Not Issue Affects Constituents Delegate or Trustee Voters – Incumbent Candidates Must Defend Record – “All politics is local” Staff and Support Agencies Political Parties Interest Groups and Political Action Committees – Iron Triangles and Issue Networks The President

What are the congressional support agencies? Back

Congress and the Other Branches Congress and the executive – Balance of power has shifted to executive Congress and the judiciary – Judicial review