1. Political Parties in Congress
November 7, 2017

2. The organization of Congress is based on political parties
The organization of Congress is based on political parties. We can think of the two political parties in Congress as two organized teams competing for control of government.

3. Party Balance House Senate Republicans: 241 Democrats: 192
Republicans: 52 Democrats: 46 Independents: 2* *Both independents vote with the Democrats to organize the chamber.

4. Unified and Divided Government
Since 2011
After the 2008 election, the Democrats enjoyed majorities in both houses of Congress and held the White House. That is called unified government.
In the 2010 election, the Republicans won a majority of seats in the House. Democrats held onto the Senate and, in 2012, the White House. It was divided government. Republicans captured control of the Senate in 2014, but divided government continued until when Donald Trump became president, given Republicans unified control of governmment.

5. It’s good to be in charge
The majority party controls the flow of business in the chamber as a whole, especially in the House.
The majority party chairs every committee and has a majority of members on every committee.
The majority party has better office space and more money for staff in both chambers.
The majority party, at least in the House, writes legislation.

6. Congressional Majority
What it does
Why it does it
The majority tries to enact legislation that matches its policy preferences while restricting input from the minority.
The majority has distinct policy preferences. It believes that the minority is more interested in scoring political points than influencing policy through compromise.

7. Congressional Minority
What it does
Why it does it
The minority uses every tool at its disposal to block the initiatives of the majority.
The minority has different policy preferences. It also believes that the voters will blame the majority for failing to pass legislation.

8. Polarization in the House
These data reflect growing polarization of the electorate.

9. Overlap
No overlap

10. Party Issue Priorities
Democrats
Republicans
Protect Medicare, Social Security, & healthcare reform
Spend more on education, transportation, etc.
Increase taxes on the wealthy
Address climate change
Reduce taxes on the wealthy
Increase defense spending
Cut Medicare & Social Security; repeal healthcare reform
Cut spending on education, transportation, etc.
Reduce environmental regulations

11. What You Have Learned
What is the party balance in the House and Senate?
What role do political parties play in the organization of Congress?
What is unified government? What is divided government? Which do we have now?
What advantages does the majority party have in a chamber?
Are the congressional parties becoming more or less polarized?
How do congressional Democrats and Republicans disagree on policy issues?