1. Intro to Congress
Policy Makers

2. How does the US Congress operate?
intro
How does the US Congress operate?

3. Constitution
Congress

4. Congress Constitution Articles of Confederation
Congress was the only branch of government under the Articles
It gave equal representation to
each state
The members of Congress elected the “executive” which was not independent
It was the only body of the federal government

5. Congress Constitution Constitution
It is the first thing set up in the Constitution
It is much longer and more specific than Articles 2 or 3
Congress is given lots of specific powers and it provides for Congress’s powers to expand
We know the Framers intended it to be the most powerful part of the government

6. Congress Constitution Article 1
Congress is bicameral – made up of the House and the Senate
The House of Representatives represents the people in districts
The Senate represents the states
Congress is given the legislative power to create policy for the country

7. Congress Constitution Article 1
Sets up formal qualifications for being a member of Congress
Congress is given expansive powers to regulate the economy
Article 1, Section 8 lists the expressed powers of Congress
Certain powers are specifically denied to congress.

8. Bicameral Congress
Congress

9. Congress Bicameralism History British Govt had a bicameral legislature
The lower house ( House of Commons) represented the masses
The upper House (House of Lords) represented special interests
Most states had already set up bicameral legislatures based on the British model
The Framers knew the two house model worked to balance interests of the masses and the elites

10. Congress Bicameralism Compromises
Virginia Plan – wanted legislature based on population.
New Jersey Plan – wanted states represented equally in legislature
The big states would only ratify VA Plan. Small states would only ratify NJ Plan.
Three fourths of states had to agree to ratify the constitution
“Great Compromise” creating two house Congress that combined both plans was the only way to get the Constitution ratified

11. Congress Bicameralism Separation of Powers
Both houses have to agree in order to pass a law
Each house can check the other & keep it from becoming too powerful
Each house is given unique powers that the other one doesn’t have

12. Congress Bicameralism Separation of Powers
Originally the House is the only part directly elected
The Senate was appointed by the states instead of elected by the people
This limited the power of the people to control the legislature
The Senate prevents the House from only doing the most popular things

13. Congress Bicameralism Separation of Powers
Since the House represents the people, it tends to be a little more extreme
The Senate tends to be much more moderate than the House
The Senate was picked by elites – so they were less likely to try to please the people
The Senate would prevent the House from only focusing on
popular legislation

14. Congressman’s Job
Congress

15. Congress Nature of the Job The Job of Congress
They are supposed to make the laws that are best for the country
To get re-elected they have to do what is best for their constituency
What is best for the constituency is not always the same as what is best
for the country

16. Congress Nature of the Job The Job of Congress
They have to please their voters
To get promoted – they have to be good members of the party
They cannot always do what they want because they have to worry so much about re-election

17. Representation Models
Congress

18. Theories of Representation
Congress
Theories of Representation
Delegate Role
The Congressman votes based on the wishes of his constituency
When an issue arises, the Congressman listens to people from his constituency
Voters call, write letters, and advocate for the side they choose
The congressman will vote in Congress based on whichever way the majority of his constituents told him to - despite his own personal beliefs

19. Theories of Representation
Congress
Theories of Representation
Trustee Role
The Congressman votes based on his own beliefs
He feels like his constituents “trust him” to make the best decisions
Voters elected the best decision maker and they want him to decide on their behalf
The congressman will vote in Congress based on what he knows is best, and that people will re-elect him since he makes good decisions

20. Theories of Representation
Congress
Theories of Representation
Partisan Role
The Congressman votes based on what his party tells him
He feels like his constituents elected him because they agree with democratic rule or republican rule
Voters elected the person in order to ensure the party has more votes in Congress
The congressman will vote in Congress based on the party’s goals, and knows there are more Republican or Democrat voters in their district – and this is what they want.

21. Theories of Representation
Congress
Theories of Representation
Politico Role
The is a combo of all three
Every congressman is actually this model
They choose a decision making model whenever it is most convenient for them

22. Compensation
Congress

23. Congress Perks Compensation $174,000 per year salary
Have an office and a staff in Washington DC
Have an office and a staff in their constituency. Senators have several offices across their states
Travel back and forth is covered by taxes.

24. Congress Perks Compensation
Generous health insurance and retirement benefits
Free restaurants in DC, Congressional gym membership, free flowers from the DC botanic garden whenever they want
Franking Privilege – they get to mail their constituency for free

25. Bigly Ideas
Beliefs & Behaviors

26. Theories of Representation
Congress
Wrap Up
Article 1
Dual nature of job
Theories of Representation
Focus on these things: