1. Congressional Evolution

2. Congress vs. Parliament

3. Centralization vs. Decentralization
Speedy and Decisive
Periods in History
Enhances the power of congressional leadership
More power to the political parties
Delay and Discussion
Overall trend
Enhances power of individual members
Less power to political parties
Periods of centralization usually focus around strong central leaders

4. Senate Not many changes Major change Selection of Senators
State legislations vs. direct election
17th Amendment in 1913 after decades of debate
The Filibuster

5. Gone through numerous changes in leadership and organization
The House
Gone through numerous changes in leadership and organization

6. The House Phase 1: founding – late 1820’s
House was clearly the most powerful institution in the gov’t
legislation passed at breakneck speed during this time period
Presidential veto rarely used

7. The House Phase 2: late 1820’s – late 1800’s
Powerful executive in Jackson
Issue of slavery
Civil War and Reconstruction
In times of crisis the executive branch tends to dominate

8. The House Phase 3: late 1800’s – 1911 Thomas Reed (R) Maine
Powerful speaker 1889
Selected chairmen and members for all committees
Chaired the Rules Committee
Joseph Cannon (R) Illinois

9. The House Phase 4: 1911 – 1960’s Cannon stripped of certain powers
These powers went to the party caucuses, the Rules Committee, and other committee chairmen

10. The House Phase 5: mid-1960’s – mid-1990’s Committee Reform
Power taken away from committee chairmen
Committee chairmen needed to be elected not appointed based on seniority
Power spread around

11. The House Phase 6: 1995 - ? Efforts to restore power to the Speaker
Reduction in Committees
Newt Gingrich
Nancy Pelosi
Boehner and the
House Republicans
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