Legislature Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives This presentation is the property of Dr. Kevin Parsneau for use by him and his current students. No other person may use or reprint without his permission.

What is Congress and what does it do? How does Congress act as a representative body? How does it pass laws? What are the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate? What is Congress’s oversight role? How does it all get done?

Bicameralism House of Representatives – 435 members – Elected by districts within states – Apportioned by population – 2 year terms Senate – 100 members – Elected by whole states – 6 year terms with 1/3 elected every 2 years

What Does Congress Do? Represent Legislate Oversight

Represent Models of Representation – How does the representative see his or her role? Types of Representation – What are the grounds for claiming to representation? Constituency Service – What are some practical aspects of representation?

Represent Models of Representation – “Delegate”—John Stuart Mill – “Trustee”—Joseph Schumpeter – “Politico”

The Electoral Connection (David Mayhew) Sometimes, members of Congress act as delegates and sometimes as trustees depending upon which they believe improves their chance of re-election. This may seem selfish, but may keep them generally doing what the voters want in the long term.

Represent Types of Representation – Geographic – Ideological – Descriptive (sociological representation)

Represent Constituency Service – casework – “pork” or “pork-barrel politics”

Legislate Types of legislation Bills Joint resolutions Concurrent resolutions Simple resolutions

Legislate Summary of how a bill becomes a law – 1. Introduction – 2. Committee/ Subcommittee/ Markup Session – 3. Rules Committee – 4. Floor Vote – 5. Other Chamber – 6. Conference Committee – 7. President

Differences between the House and Senate House Budgetary Authority Senate Confirmation Authority Majoritarian vs. Supermajoritarian – Senate Collegiality – Filibusters and Cloture Votes (3/5ths) Floor Debates – Power of the Speaker and Majority Leader – Open Rule vs. Closed Rule Debate

Congress Oversight Budget Senate Confirmations – Supreme Court – Executive Officers – Ambassadors Committee Hearings

How do things get done? Division of Labor and Specialization – Committees Institutional Norms Seniority Staff Leaders

How do things get done? Congressional Committees – Standing – Special or Select – Joint Committees – Conference Committees

Leadership positions Senate President President Pro Tempore Speaker of the House of Representatives Senate Majority and Minority Leaders House Majority and Minority Leaders Senate Majority and Minority Whips House Majority and Minority Whips

Mechanisms of Leadership Caucuses Whip system Rules Committee assignments Floor access Log rolling Lobbying Leadership P.A.C.s Presidential Support

Caucus system Party members in Congress meet together to select party leaders, decide on policies and discuss strategy. Caucuses help the majority party run Congress and the minority party act as the loyal opposition.

Mechanisms of Leadership Caucuses Whip system Rules Committee assignments Floor access Log rolling Lobbying Leadership P.A.C.s Presidential Support

A Final Word About: Congress: – House of Representatives – Senate Representation Legislation Oversight Bicameralism and complexity Organizing and leadership