Congress: Getting elected  “Members of Congress are single-minded seekers of reelection.” - David Mayhew

Congress: Getting elected  Incumbency Advantage  Between 1863 and 1969 percentage of first term Reps. fell from about 58% to 8%  Incumbents win between 90-95% of the time  They win big - incumbents in House elected by 60% or more = 82.2% (2004)

Congress: Getting elected  Incumbency Advantage  House between = 94.11%  Senate = 84.5%  Why are these numbers so high?

Congress: Getting elected  Why are these numbers so high?  Redistricting Why did Mike win?

Congress: Getting elected  Why are these numbers so high?  Redistricting  Decline in party voting  Republicans in the mid- 1990’s Why did Mike win?

Congress: Getting elected  Why are these numbers so high?  Redistricting  Decline in party voting  Advertising  Name recognition Why did Mike win?

Congress: Getting elected  Why are these numbers so high?  Redistricting  Decline in party voting  Advertising  Credit Claiming  Case Work - Pork Barrel

Congress: Getting elected  Why are these numbers so high?  Redistricting  Decline in party voting  Advertising  Credit Claiming  Money

Congress: Getting elected  Why are these numbers so high?  Redistricting  Decline in party voting  Advertising  Credit Claiming  Money  Weak Opponents Who is this guy?

Congress vs. Parliament  What is the difference between Congress and Parliament?

Congress vs. Parliament  What is the difference between Congress and Parliament?  Candidate centered elections vs. Party centered elections

Congress vs. Parliament  What is the difference between Congress and Parliament?  Candidate centered elections vs. Party centered elections  Party line voting  Power – members of Parliament have little

Congress vs. Parliament  Power – members of Parliament have little  No office, no staff, little pay  Members of Congress  Represent people, propose legislation  $150,000  Staff allowance (avg. 22)

Congress: What do they do?  Functions:  Lawmaking  111th Congress 10,621 bills introduced  383 passed  113 Congress passed 252 laws

Congress: What do they do?  Functions:  Lawmaking  Oversight

Congress: What do they do?  Functions:  Lawmaking  Oversight  Committee Review  Casework  Legislative Audit  Sunset Laws  Budget

Congress: What do they do?  Functions:  Lawmaking  Oversight  Representation

Congress: Representation  How do members of Congress behave? (3 views)  Representational  Focus on reelection leads them to please their constituents

Congress: Representation  How do members of Congress behave? (3 views)  Representational  Focus on reelection leads then to please their constituents  Organizational  When constituency issues are small, members follow the cues of their colleagues. Party plays a big role

Congress: Representation  How do members of Congress behave? (3 views)  Representational  Focus on reelection leads then to please their constituents  Organizational  When constituency issues are small, members follow the cues of their colleagues. Party plays a big role  Attitudinal  personal ideology plays a role in decision making

Congress: Representation  Two Constituencies  1) in District  2) in Congress  District Constituency  Geographic: The District  Reelection: The Supporters  Primary: The Strong Supporters  Personal: Family and Friends

The Filibuster  Filibuster – a Dutch word meaning Pirate  Senate has a history of unlimited debate  1841 – First filibuster  1917 – Rule 22 adopted  Cloture vote

The Filibuster  Cloture – a vote to end debate  Originally required a 2/3rds vote  Lowered to 3/5 th in 1975

The Filibuster  The Filibuster record  Strom Thurmond (SC) = 24 hours, 18 minutes  Against the Civil Rights Act of 1957

The Filibuster  The Modern Filibuster rules are different  You no longer have to actually hold the floor  A minimum of 41 senators need to announce their intent to filibuster

The Filibuster  Other Senate business can continue but a vote can be delayed without actual floor debate  As a result the filibuster use is on the rise

Congressional Ethics – an oxymoron?  Senate:  Gifts: nothing more than $100  Lobbyists: can give gifts, pay for travel, legal defense fund  Fees: can’t charge lecture fees  Outside earned income: can’t exceed 15% of Senators salary  Lobbying delay of one year  Mass Mailings: can’t exceed $50,000

Congressional Ethics – an oxymoron?  House:  Gifts: Not more than $100  Lobbyists: no gifts or travel costs  Travel: Others can pay the costs if for official business  Fees: Same as Senate  Ex-members must wait 1 year before lobbying