1. Who’s In Congress A Look at Demographics of the 114th Congress
Chapter 13, pp , CT Packet & Handout from CQ

2. The new faces of the 114th class
Using the Google Doc, develop a profile of the 114th HOR & Senate.
Discuss the 114th Congress and compare to previous demographics.

4. Race & Gender
Number has Increased slowly since Can you point to a factor as to why?
Study the Class Google Doc. What do you notice about party politics of minorities in general? Why do you think minorities increased in the 114th Congress?
Let’s discuss your homework by trends:

8. 89th Congress:
114th
Congress

10. Other Demographics to Ponder
Discuss trends.

11. Incumbency Define term.
1989 saw smallest freshman class at 6% &1993 saw the largest in nearly 50 years with 39% & 2013 by comparison had a freshman class of 20%.
Check & grade handouts.

12. Incumbency Is a constitutional amendment needed?
Let’s start with the “NO” position
Redistricting in 1990s
Scandals of 1990s
Blue Dog Democrats became Republicans
Walter Jones is GREAT example!
Now, the “YES” position…
More safe than marginal districts now
Define terms

13. Safe vs. Marginal
NC US District 3 is a great example of safe district

14. Why so many safe districts?
Name Recognition
Publicity in media
Famous fathers
Franking Privilege
Define
Free Travel
Gerrymandered districts
Pork Barrel Legislation
Discuss Earmark projects

15. Party Comparisons
Democrats have controlled Congress more often since 1933:
27 times controlled BOTH houses (2009/111th most recent)
32 times controlled ONE house (2013/113th controlled Senate)
Discuss current Congress.

16. Is Congress Republican Dominated?
Gerrymandering
Debate how NC changed in 2011.
Has NC shifted to Republican control?
Yes-NCGA Republican takeover 2011
Yes-Currituck Co. Republican takeover
Yes-NC has 2 Republican Senators
Maybe-NC was Blue in ’08/Red in ‘12
Maybe-NC executive branch has some Democrats in elected offices-Gov. is Rep.

17. Party Problems
Democrats are more ideologically divided, but Tea Party has fractured Republicans
Many Southern Democrats have switched to Republican Party
WBJ, Jr. is example: WBJ, Sr. was Democrat
Both Parties seem to be moving to the ideological extreme…Polarization!
What is the cause of the polarization?
How have budget fights highlighted this?

18. How has Congress changed in the past 50 years?
Interview with Senator Dorgan
Is Congress broken?
What commonalities exist in the 2 videos?
What can be done to “fix” Congress?
Are there any benefits to the current state of Congress?

19. Assignment Read pp. 340-343 & complete questions in CT handout.
Due Thursday!
Be working on phase II of the E-Congress simulation. Due Feb. 5th!