1. Chapter 11: Congress

2. Learning Objectives 1.In what respects is Congress “the first branch” of American national government? 2.Why do most Americans & many experts now view Congress as “the broken branch”? 3.What are the main differences between a congress & a parliament? 4.How has the legislative productivity of the U.S. Congress varied over time? 5.Are the American people as deeply divided in partisan & ideological terms as their representatives in Congress now appear to be? 6.How closely do members of Congress mirror the American people in terms of gender, race, & other demographic characteristics? 7.Does Congress normally do what most citizens want it to do? 8.Should Congress run under strong leadership? 9.Should Congress act more quickly?

3. Crash Course: Bicameral Congress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9defOwVWS8 Task: make T-chart of qualifications & powers of House of Representatives & Senate

4. Purpose of Congress Article 1 Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Legislature = law making group Delegate v. Trustee Model

5. Structure of Congress House of RepresentativesSenate Member Voting Style DelegateTrustee Membership 435 (apportioned by population) 100 (2 per state) Term of Office2 years 6 years (staggered 1/3 at a time) Qualifications 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, must live in state 30 years citizen for 9 years, must live in state ConstituenciesSmaller, districtLarger, state PrestigeLessmore

6. Two Views on the US Congress Framers “First branch” of government Holds most national government powers Essential to federalism Maintains separation of powers Linchpin of checks & balances Contemporary Americans “Broken branch” of government Unable to address problems effectively Too responsive to special interests Nonstop campaign fundraising & corruption Unlikely to fix itself

7. Powers of Congress Constitution: Article 1, Section 8 Lay & collect taxes, duties, imposts, & excises Borrow money Regulate commerce with foreign nations/among states Establish rules for naturalization & bankruptcy Coin money, set its value, & punish counterfeiting Fix the standard of weights & measures Establish a post office & post roads Issue patents & copyrights to inventors/authors Create courts inferior to the Supreme Court

8. Powers of Congress Constitution: Article 1, Section 8 Define/punish piracies, felonies on high seas, & crimes against law of nations Declare war Raise & support an army & navy; make rules for their governance Provide for a militia Exercise exclusive legislative powers over seat of government, federal facilities “Make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the fore-going powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States.”

9. Two Types of Legislatures Congress Found in US, Latin America Independent representatives of districts or states Primary system; voters choose among individual candidates Principal work is representation & action Parliament Found in Britain, Western Europe Loyal to national party leadership Voters choose among national parties Principal work is debate

10. The Evolution of Congress Bicameral legislature House of Representatives Senate Centralization v. decentralization “Decentralized individualistic institution” House History: 6 Phases

11. U.S. Congress in 2013 Base salary $174,000 + generous benefits Large office & staff Additional allowances for office, travel, communication etc. Franking privilege Immunity from arrest

12. The Millionaires’ Club

13. Who Is in Congress? 3 Elements 1.Race & Gender Becoming less male & less white 2013: fewer lawyers & former members of armed forces Senate has changed more slowly First woman Speaker–Nancy Pelosi (2007) 2.Incumbency Incumbent: the current holder of an office Most incumbents win Marginal v. safe districts

15. Re-Election Rates for Congress Incumbents

16. Incumbency Effect Name recognition Credit claiming Casework Visibility Media exposure Fundraising Campaign experience Voting record No Term Limits

17. Who Is in Congress? 3 Elements 3.Party Redistricting (m alapportionment & gerrymandering has little overall effect) Impact of major electoral convulsions Conservative coalition emerged in 1960s & 1970s (then declined) Growing ideological partisanship

18. District-Drawing & Redistricting Malapportionment Gerrymandering Crash Course on gerrymandering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnhFm5QVVTo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnhFm5QVVTo Ted Ed on gerrymandering: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/gerrymandering-how- drawing-jagged-lines-can-impact-an-election-christina- greer http://ed.ted.com/lessons/gerrymandering-how- drawing-jagged-lines-can-impact-an-election-christina- greer Majority-minority districts

19. Gerrymandering Example Cracking v. Packing

20. Texas’ 36 Districts for the US House of Representati ves

21. Different Representation Styles in Congress Representational View: Congress members vote to please their constituents Organizational View: Congress members vote to please fellow members of Congress (their party members, etc.) Attitudinal View: Congress members vote on the basis of their own beliefs (follow their gut) *These may contradict the trustee & delegate roles of Senators & Representatives

22. Congressional Leadership Senate President of the Senate (also the Vice President of the US) President pro tempore (honorific; serves in the Vice President of the US’ absence) Majority leader (power) Minority leader Whips Policy Committee Standing committees House of Representatives Speaker of the House Majority leader (floor leader) Minority leader Whips Committees

23. Congress’ Organization Caucuses Advocate a political ideology or advance a regional, ethnic, or economic interest Examples: Democratic Study Group Tuesday Lunch Bunch Congressional Black Caucus Committees Standing Select Joint Conference

24. The Committee System Specialization Reciprocity/logrolling Party representation in committees How do these influence the legislative process? What are 2 ways party leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process?

26. Legislative Tactics Filibuster & Cloture Pork barrel: metaphor for legislation that gives tangible benefits ($) to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return Logrolling: the practice of exchanging favor by reciprocal voting for each other's proposed legislation; “quid pro quo”

27. Influences on Congress Constituents Other members & staff Parties President Lobbyists & interest groups

28. Party Polarization/Voting in the House, 1877-2010