1. The Legislative Branch
Congress

2. U.S. Capitol

3. What is government itself
What is government itself? One of the greatest reflections on human nature. If men were angels, no government would be necessary…James Madison

4. Article I House of Representatives 435 members Senate 2 yr terms
Reapportioned every 10 yrs
Redistricting! See Gerry
25 yrs old, citizen for 7, live in state
Organized by party
Leaders & Whips
Speaker of House – John Boehner (R)
Strict Rules
Senate
100 members
6 yr terms
30 yrs old, citizen for 9, live in state
Organized by party
Leaders & Whips
Majority leader – Harry Reid (D)
Minority Leader- Mitch McConnell (R)
Loose Rules

5. Congressional Sessions
Last Two Years
Begin Jan. 3rd of the year after the election
Usually end Nov. before election
Lame Duck Sessions

6. Powers of Congress Expressed Powers
Tax, Money, Trade, Declare War, Copyrights, etc
Implied Powers – “Necessary & Proper” Clause
Paying for things
Checks & Balances
Amendments
Impeachment
Appointments
Treaties
Investigatory Powers

7. Who Are They?

8. Demographics of the 112th Congress

9. Religion - House

10. Religion - Senate

11. Gender Gender House (%) Senate (%) Society Men 362 (83%) 83 (83%) 49%
Women
76 (17%)
17 (17%)
51%

12. Race/Gender Race House (%) Senate (%) Society* White 361 (83%)
96 (96%)
78.1%
Black
44 (10%)
13.1%
Hispanic
25 (6%)
2 (2%)
16.4%
Asian
7 (1.5%)
5.0%
American-Indian
1 (.2%)
1.2%
*Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in applicable race categories

13. U.S. House (112th) Number of Members- 435 African-American 43 Asian 7
American Indian 1
Caucasian 360
Hispanic 25

14. U.S. Senate (112th) Number of Members- 100 Asian 2 Caucasian 96
Hispanic 2

15. Gerrymandered Districts

16. MN Congressional Districts

17. U.S. Senate Bill Nelson(DFL)- Senior Senator
Marco Rubio(RFL)- Junior Senator

18. An unbiased (or cynical) look at the Logic of Congress*
Action or Inaction?
An unbiased (or cynical) look at the Logic of Congress*
*Yes, that might be an oxymoron, but Congress is full of oxymorons

19. Incumbents Government by and for the people
Only group of people that have to go to the people and beg for their job year after year
Americans view their own Congressional Representatives favorably while overall approval ratings are low
Democrats or Republicans
Average member of Congress gets a 60-65% approval rating from his or her constituents
Government by and for the people

20. Checks and Balances Executive Branch and Executive Agencies
Impeachment, Appointments, Overrides, Judiciary…
Appropriation
Unique among Nations
People are supreme

21. U.S. Capitol Rotunda

22. Differences Constitutional Requirements Leadership Authority
25 years old, 30 years old
7 years citizen, 9 years citizen
State requirements
Native Born?
Leadership Authority
Seldom challenged, often challenged
Committee Responsibility
Very important, often overlooked
“Rules” supreme, “Rules” weak
Open Forums
Limited, Encouraged

23. Benefits Salary $174,000+ per year (Leadership more—SOH- $ 212,100
Generous retirement and benefits (health care)
Two offices- D.C. and Home District
Staff members
Franking privileges—work-related mail, FREE
Assorted perks; no petty misdemeanors

24. Voting

25. Inaction Happens Because…
Divided Congress
Lame Duck Status
Partisan Bickering
Desire Reelection
Change Vote to Get Votes
Avoid Looking Bad
It Was Designed That Way

26. State of the Union

27. Legislation Money bills originate in the House of Rep.
The president proposes a budget and Congress modifies it
A common way for the government to borrow money is by selling government bonds.

28. Making Policy
A collection of “generalists” making policy on specific topics
House Rules Committee
Traffic Cop controlling the flow of bills establishing rules for each bill and its schedule
can stop a bill from going to the House floor for a vote.
Leadership (Speaker of the House/ Majority and “Minority” Leaders)
Party caucus and committee assignments
Rules Committee members
Influence bill assignments to committee

29. Committees

30. Committees Legislation and Oversight Standing Committee
Separate subject matter committees
Joint Committee
House and Senate share membership i.e.--taxation
Conference Committee
Two bills must become one/ compromise bills
Select Committee
Specific reason
Assignments
House- two committees and four subcommittees
Senate- three committees and seven subcommittees

31. Committees
Committees also perform oversight if and when a bill ever becomes law
Committee chairpersons—seniority prevails but majority caucuses now can choose chairpersons
Caucuses vs. Party Leadership
Legislators can ban together under an “ideological flag”
Black Caucus, Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Gun Control, etc.

32. The Legislative Branch
Congress