1. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - Congress

2. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Descriptive representation? Substantive?
John Kerry
$188 Million
Darrell Issa
$160 Million
Jane Harmon
$153 Million
Jay Rockefeller
$82 Million
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

3. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

4. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Incumbents
Often re-elected
More campaign funds
Provide services
to constituents
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

5. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Who is this?
Elbridge Gerry
5th U.S. Vice-President
Who, as a politician in
Massachusetts,
drew up a Congressional
district that looked like this . . .
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

6. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Which looked like a salamander to some people
Result?
“Gerrymandering”
Drawing of district lines to favor a certain person or party
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

7. Key Stuff Famous Quotes about Legislation Laws are like sausages,
it is better not to see them
being made.
Politics is the art
of the possible.
Otto Von Bismarck
German leader of the late 1800’s
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

8. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Legislation
Usually requires coalition building
Process is lengthy
Requires compromise & bargaining
Additional delays caused by “divided government”
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

9. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Pork Barrel Spending
Federal projects and
contracts that benefit
a congressperson’s district
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

10. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Bismarck Quotes about the U.S.
The Americans have contrived
to be surrounded on two sides
by weak neighbors,
and on two sides by fish!
There is a Providence that protects
idiots, drunkards, children, and
The United States of America!
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

11. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Some Differences
Individuals exercise more influence
Each tends to be a generalist
Operates more on informal understandings
Allows for the filibuster
Individuals have less personal power
Each tends to be a specialist
Operates with more formal rules
Rules Committee limits debate
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

12. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Most Powerful Persons
In the House . . .
The Speaker
In the Senate . . .
The Majority Leader
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

13. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Money Issues
Federal spending is funded by . . .
Congress
Revenue Bills originate in . . .
The House
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

14. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Checks & Balances
Congress can overturn presidential veto
Congress authorizes money for federal agencies
Senate confirms (or denies) certain presidential appointments
Senate ratifies (or denies) treaties
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

15. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Checks Against Congress
President can veto legislation
Federal Courts can determine laws are unconstitutional
The most commonly contested Congressional power is . . .
Regulation of interstate commerce
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

16. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Committees
SUBJECT MATTER:
Handle bills in certain policy areas . . .
Agriculture
Armed Services
Budget
Foreign Affairs
Judiciary
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

17. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Committees
CONFERENCE:
House & Senate pass
different versions of a bill
Members from each work
out differences and create
a single bill
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

18. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Committees
SELECT:
For a specific purpose . . .
Watergate
Impeachment
Intelligence
Energy Independence & Global Warming
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress

19. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress
Key Stuff
Committees
JOINT:
A few members from both House & Senate. . .
Taxation
Library
Economic
Printing
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Congress