1. Chapter 6 Congress 
To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions
American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition
Karen O’Connor and Larry J. Sabato
 Pearson Education, 2009

2. AV- Congressional Approval
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3. Roots of the Legislative Branch
Great Compromise leads to bicameral legislature.
Two per state in Senate, House by population.
House district size determined by apportionment.
House district shape determined by redistricting.
Senators must be 30, serve six-year terms.
Representatives must be 25, serve two-year terms.

4. Powers of Congress Most important power is to make law.
Bill cannot become law without both branches.
Also declare war, coin money, raise military.
Regulate commerce, immigration, courts.
Revenue bills must begin in House.
Senate handles impeachment trials.

5. Table 7.1- The Powers of Congress
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6. Role of Political Parties
Majority party has most members.
Minority party has second most members.
Key role in committee system and organization.
Party caucuses also choose policy priorities.

7. Figure 7.1- Organization of Congress
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8. Figure th Congress 
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9. House of Representatives
More tightly structured, governed by more rules.
Party loyalty plays a more important role.
Powerful Speaker of the House chosen by all members.
Party caucuses pick majority and minority leaders.
Whips assist party leaders.

10. Senate Vice president is the official presiding officer.
Official chair is the president pro tempore.
True leader is the majority leader.
Also have whips.
More informal than House.
Controlling Senate challenging, run by folkways.
Importance of rules such as filibuster and cloture.

11. Table 7.2- House Versus Senate
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12. Committee System Much of the actual work gets done by committees.
Standing committees are where bills are referred.
Joint committees include members from both houses.
Conference committees finalize bills.
Select committees deal with temporary issues.
Importance of House Rules Committee.
Discharge petitions force bills out of committee.

13. Committee Membership Members serve on multiple committees at a time.
Request assignments based on interest or district.
Often want access to pork or earmarks.
Some assignments are good for campaigning.
Membership represents party division in house.
Chairs have tremendous agenda-setting power.
Chairs no longer chosen by seniority.

14. Table 7.3- Congressional Committees
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15. Members of Congress Professionalization after World War I.
Members must please those in D.C. and in district.
Incumbency helps members to stay in office.
95 percent of incumbents win reelection.
Members more educated, white, and male than U.S.

16. Table 7.5- Advantages of Incumbency
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17. Figure 7.3- Female and Minority Members
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18. Theories of Representation
Trustees hear constituents and make own judgments.
Delegates vote as their constituents want.
Most members act as politicos.
May also be influenced by race or gender.

19. How Members Make Decisions
Party has become important in divided government.
Constituent opinion, especially on important issues.
Colleagues and caucuses.
Role of logrolling.
Interest group lobbying and money.
Staff and support agencies.

20. Table 7.4- A Day in the Life of a Member
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21. Table 7.6- Support Agencies
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22. How a Bill Becomes a Law
Stage-by-stage process offers many opportunities to fail.
Parallel processes in House and Senate.
Committee is first step, role of markup.
Moves to floor, Senators may use hold or filibuster.
Conference committee if both chambers approve.
President can sign or veto.

23. Figure 7.4- How a Bill Becomes a Law
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24. Congress and the Executive
President has become increasingly powerful.
Congress, in turn, has increased oversight hearings.
Also uses congressional review.
War Powers Act should give Congress role in war.
Congress confirms presidential appointments.
Congress can impeach president.

25. Table 7.7- Impeachment 
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26. Congress and the Judiciary
Courts can overturn laws if unconstitutional.
Congress reviews judicial nominees.
Role of senatorial courtesy.
Congress also sets courts’ jurisdiction.