1. Chapter 10 Congress

2. Congress: Where Things Get Done!?!

3. Congress
US CAPITOL BUILDING
Legislative Branch – “makes laws”

4. WHO GOVERNS? TO WHAT ENDS?
Are members of Congress representative of the American people?
Does Congress normally do what most citizens want it to do?
TO WHAT ENDS?
Should Congress run under strong leadership?
Should Congress act more quickly?
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

5. Congress versus Parliament I:A:1-2
Independent representatives of their districts or states
Principle work is representation and action
Parliament
Loyal to national party leadership
Principle work is debate
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

6. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

8. Library of Congress
Library of Congress
AP/Wide World Photos
1891, 1895–1899) (left), Joseph G. Cannon (1903–1911) (center), and Sam Rayburn (1941–1947, 1949–1953, 1955–1961) (right). Reed put an end to a filibuster in the House by refusing to allow dilatory motions and by counting as “present”—for purposes of a quorum—members in the House even though they were not voting. Cannon further enlarged the Speaker’s power by refusing to recognize members who wished to speak without Cannon’s approval and by increasing the power of the Rules Committee, over which he presided. Cannon was stripped of much of his power in Rayburn’s influence rested more on his ability to persuade than on his formal powers. p. 316
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

9. The Evolution of Congress II:A
Intent of the Framers
Centralization vs. decentralization
Bicameral (two chamber) legislature
Library of Congress
One of the most powerful Speakers of the House, Henry Clay, is shown here addressing the U. S. Senate around p. 318

10. Congress in the Constitution
Checked and balanced by Executive and Judiciary
Bi-cameral Congress – Senate and House check each other
House member – elected every 2 years
Senator – elected every 6 years
House members directly elected
Senators directly elected after 17th Amend.

11. Powers… Delegated (National) Express Art 1 Sec 8 Implied
Elastic Clause
Inherent
establish immigration laws

12. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

13. Evolution of Powers Elastic clause has extended Congress powers
Oversight of budget – restricts the annual budget prepared by executive branch
Appropriations – amount of money made available for various activity in a fiscal year
Investigation – Congress can launch investigations (Watergate, Clinton-Lewinski hearings, Steroids in baseball)

14. The Power to Check…or divided government???

15. Divided Government One political party controls the White House
The other political party controls at least on house of Congress
Problems:
longer confirmation process
slowed legislative action
gridlock

16. The Evolution of Congress II:B
House of Representatives
Library of Congress
One of the most powerful Speakers of the House, Henry Clay, is shown here addressing the U. S. Senate around p. 318
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

17. One Person, One Vote To apportion representatives based on census
power delegated to state legislatures to redraw district lines
party in control of the state draws the new lines to enhance its political future
Gerrymandering-named for Elbridge Gerry, in which the party in power manipulates district lines so they appear unreasonably strange

18. Original Gerrymandering

19. Illinois 4th District
Luis Guitierrez – (D-IL)
Gerrymandering at work

20. Illinois Voting Districts

21. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

22. House of Rep Powers
Revenue Bills – must originate in the House (taxes)

23. Charges originate in The House!!!
Impeachment power: authority to charge civic officers with crimes (Senate conducts the trial)
Clinton was impeached based upon evidence gathered by the special prosecutor. The Senate was not pleased.

24. Investigative Power of the House
On April 14, 1994, the Chief Executive Officers of the seven largest tobacco companies in the United States testified before the House Subcommittee on Health and the Environment that they did not "believe" that nicotine was addictive. Indications that these CEOs were hardly being candid surfaced in the spring of 1996

25. The Evolution of Congress II:C
Senate
Library of Congress
One of the most powerful Speakers of the House, Henry Clay, is shown here addressing the U. S. Senate around p. 318
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

26. New York Public Library
A cartoon from Puck in 1890 expressed popular resentment over the “Millionaires Club,” as the Senate had become known. p. 320
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

27. The Evolution of the Senate
Less tensions than House
How Senators were/are chosen (17th Amendment)
Fillibuster

28. Senate Powers
Presidential appointment confirmation – Senate must approve
Foreign Treaty approval – Must approve Presidential treaty by 2/3 vote
Senate acts as an investigative unit
Senate acts as a judicial court
Senate tries individuals charged by the House (Impeachment)

29. "What have we got that's more like a close shave?"
In 1998, President Clinton was charged w/ sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, perjury in grand jury testimony & obstruction of justice.
After their election losses that year, Republicans were wary of calling for impeachment & urged censure instead.
Senate acquitted Clinton. Charges were dropped concerning Whitewater. Kenneth Starr, special prosecutor spent $50 million taxpayer dollars.
The Congress did not renew the independent counsel law."

30. Cup and Saucer House – Cup of tea – hot
More connected to passionate interests of the public
Why? – elected every 2 years
Senate – Saucer under cup – cool
Less connected to public interest allowing for more independent thinking and rational thought
Why? – elected every 6 years

31. Important Differences
House
435 members
2 year term
7 year citizen
Initiate impeachment
Revenue bills
Senate
100 members
6 year term
9 year citizen
Tries impeachment
Approve presidential appointments

32. Leadership Political parties very important Majority vs. Minority
Majority party controls holds the most significant leadership positions

33. House Leadership SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER MAJORITY LEADER
MINORITY WHIP
MAJORITY WHIP

34. PRESIDENT of the SENATE
Senate Leadership
PRESIDENT of the SENATE
(VICE PRESIDENT)
PRES. PRO TEMPORE
MAJORITY LEADER
(MOST POWERFUL)
MINORITY LEADER
MAJORITY WHIP
MINORITY WHIP

35. But, on the other hand…

36. Who is in Congress? III:A-D
Sex and Race
Incumbency
Marginal districts
Safe districts
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

37. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

38. Source: Congressional Quarterly, various years.
Replace with jpeg, p. 321
Source: Congressional Quarterly, various years.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

39. Marcy Kaptur (D., OH) discusses the war on terrorism in front of the
When the Democrats regained control of the House, the very liberal John Conyers (ADA score = 100%) became chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in place of the very conservative James Sensenbrenner (ADA score = 10%). p. 322
Stefan Zaklin/EPA/Corbis
Marcy Kaptur (D., OH) discusses the war on terrorism in front of the
capitol. p. 322
AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

40. Advantage: Incumbents III:C:3
Career politicians, office holders in elections
Name recognition
Franking privileges – free mailing

41. Figure 13.1 Percentage of Incumbents Reelected to Congress
Source: Harold W. Stanley and Richard G. Niemi, Vital Statistics on American Politics, 1999–2000 (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2000), table 1-18; 2004 update by Marc Siegal.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

42. Party III:D:1-4 Dems beneficiaries of incumbency
Gap between votes and seats
Electoral convulsions do periodically alter membership
Conservative coalition of southern Democrats and Republicans has less influence.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

43. Do Members Represent Their Voters? IV:A-B
Representational view–members vote to please their constituents
Organizational View–members vote to please fellow members of Congress
Attitudinal View–members vote on the basis of their own beliefs
Craig Lassig/EPA/Corbis
Keith Ellison (D., MN), the first Muslim elected to Congress. p. 325
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

44. Representatives of the People
Senators and representatives are elected to represent people. As legislators, they have four voting options:
Trustees believe that each question they face must be decided on its merits.
(DW) Conscience and independent judgment are their guides to make decisions regardless of the beliefs of the constituency.
Delegates see themselves as agents of the people who elected them, AKA the constituency.
(DW) They vote they way they think “folks back home would vote”.

45. Partisans are lawmakers who owe their first allegiance to their political party.
(DW) They feel duty bound to vote in line with the party platform and the wishes of their party’s leaders.
Politicos attempt to combine the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles.
(DW) They understand the duel roles of congress and know how to play the game.

46. A Polarized Congress IV:C
A more ideological perspective has been brought to Congress.
Congress’ most liberal members are Democrats.
Congress’ most conservative members are Republicans.
Voters are closer to the center of political spectrum.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

47. The Organization of Congress: Parties and Caucuses V:A
Party Organization of the Senate
Party Structure in the House
The Strength of Party Structures
Party Unity
Caucuses
Zach Seckler/Corbis
Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as House Speaker. p. 331
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

48. Figure 13.3 The U.S. Congress
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

49. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

50. Congressional Caucuses V:E
Groupings of members sharing similar interests
Ex. – Sunbelt, Northeast-Midwest, Congressional Black, Women’s, Democratic Study Group, Boll Weevils, Steel

52. The Organization of Congress: Committees VI:A-C
Standing Committees
Select Committees
Joint Committees
Conference Committees
House
Senate
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

53. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

54. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

55. Work of Committees 11,000 bills introduced yearly, most die
Committees can…
Report out favorably/unfavorably
Pigeonholed/table (do not discuss)
Amend / “mark up” (change or rewrite)

56. House Rules Committee House of Representatives Sets rules for debate
Closed rule – (gag rule) – limited debate, no amendments
Open rule – permits amendments, less strict time limit on debate

57. The Organization of Congress: Staff and Specialized Offices VII:A-B
Tasks of Staff Members
Staff Agencies
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
General Accounting Office (GAO)
Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

58. How a Bill Becomes a Law VIII
Introducing a Bill
Legislative Productivity
Study by Committee
Floor Debate – The House
Floor Debate – The Senate
Methods of Voting
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

59. Federalist 53
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

60. How A Bill Becomes a Law Create legislation, make laws
Founders believed in a SLOW process
Founders believed efficiency was a trait of an oppressive government

61. Step 1 – Introduce Bill VII:B
Introduced in Senate or House (except tax)
Single or multiple reps can introduce bill

62. Step 2 – Committee VII:C
Bill is assigned to a particular committee in its category (Ex. Tax bill – Ways and Means Committee, Farm bill – Agriculture Committee)
Most bills die in committee

63. Step 3–Rules Committee
Before bill can go to floor in House, it must first set time limits and amendment regulations.

64. Step 4 – Floor Debate VII:D, E
Senate Debate
Less formal, no speaking limit
Filibuster – practice of talking a bill to death
Cloture – 3/5 of the Senate vote to stop debate
House Debate
More formal, no filibuster, strict rules

65. The “Nuclear Option”
In 2005, Bush trying to nominate judges to Supreme Court
Dems filibustered nominee debate as position remained unfulfilled
GOP threatened to change Senate rules to make filibuster illegal

66. Step 5 – Voting VII:F Majority passes
If the bill passes, it must go through the same process in the opposite chamber with a sponsor
If the bill passes one house and fails the other, it must start over
If the Senate and House cannot come to agreement over two versions, it goes to Conference Committee to fix it and resubmit the bill

67. Presidential Action Sign – bill becomes law
Veto – bill returns to origin
Override – 2/3 vote in both houses can override veto
Pocket Veto – President has 10 days to act on a piece of legislation. If he receives the bill within 10 days of the end of the Congressional session, and doesn’t sign, it dies

68. Override

69. Pork, Pork barrel, Earmarks & Entitlements

70. Spending on both sides of the aisle
Here the Republicans are drunk on spending, yet pledging the opposite.

71. Criticisms of Congress
“Pork” – aka “pork-barrel legislation” – bills to benefit constituents in hope of gaining their votes
Logrolling – Congress members exchange votes, bills might pass for frivolous reasons
Christmas-tree bill –bill with many riders (pork)
in Senate, no limit exists on amendments, so Senators try to attach riders that will benefit their home state

72. Criticisms of Congress
Revolving Door – the growing problem of members of Congress becoming lobbiests once they have left office
They know how to negotiate the “red tape”, they have friends still in Congress and they understand how the government works, so they know the short cuts.

73. A Hostile Take Over?

74. Term-limits Debate
No current limit on how many terms members of Congress can serve
Some argue this has weakened popular control of Congress, reps might be unresponsive to their constituents
Some argue most experienced reps have the expertise to bring home more benefits (pork, riders, etc.)

75. How a Bill Becomes a Law Replace with jpeg, p. 343
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

76. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

77. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

78. Reducing Power and Perks
Pork-Barrel Legislation
Franking Privileges
p Cartoon by Mark Cullum/The Birmingham News. Reprinted with permission.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

79. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

80. Copyright © 2011 Cengage

81. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
M E M O R A N D U M To: Representative Peter Skerry From: Martha Bayles, legislative aide Subject: The Size of the House of Representatives The House can decide how big it wishes to be. When it was created, there was one representative for every 30,000 people. Now there is one for every 600,000. In most other democracies, each member of parliament represents far fewer than 600,000 people. Doubling the size of the House may be a way of avoiding term limits.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

82. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Arguments for: 1. Doubling the size of the House would reduce the huge demand for constituent services each member now faces. 2. A bigger House would represent more shades of opinion more fairly. 3. Each member could raise less campaign money because his or her campaign would be smaller.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

83. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Arguments against: 1. A bigger House would be twice as hard to manage, and it would take even longer to pass legislation. 2. Campaigns in districts of 300,000 people would cost as much as ones in districts with 600,000 people. 3. Interest groups do a better job of representing public opinion than would a House with more members.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage

84. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Your decision: Increase size of House? Do not increase size of House?
Copyright © 2011 Cengage