1. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Interest Groups: Business and Religion, Cont’d. Susan B. Hansen Introduction to American Politics Summer 2006

2. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 The 1 st amendment and religion “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” “Establishment” means government financial or legal support for one particular religion, such as the Anglican Church in Britain. Legal issue: balancing the establishment and free- exercise clauses.

3. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Religious Diversity in US Many colonists and immigrants came to US seeking religious freedom from the established churches of Europe. Competition among the variety of denominations and sects may have led to consumer-friendly churches and greater religiosity in the US. Higher levels of church attendance and belief in God than in many other countries

4. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Growth of the Religious Right Long history of evangelical and fundamentalist churches in the US Before 1970s, focus on individual salvation and personal conversion “Potential group” galvanized by the Equal Rights Amendment and the Roe v. Wade decision The Religious Right feared the erosion of traditional values in a secular society

5. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Defining the Religious Right Orthodox interpretation of religion; hold to traditional beliefs Christians who claim to be “born again” Literal interpretation of the Bible, Torah, or Koran Opposition to tolerance, diversity, or secular humanism Can include Catholics, Moslems, and Jews as well as Protestants

6. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Tactics of the Religious Right Use of direct mail and TV to solicit contributions and arouse political action Organized interest groups: the Moral Majority, Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family Endorsement of parties and candidates supporting their values Lobbying efforts in Congress, the states, and local school boards Alliances with conservative Catholics and Jews

7. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 The Religious Right: Textbook Model Citizens? They register and vote! They are well-informed about issues that concern them They know who their representatives are and how they vote They are active in grassroots politics and political parties They make effective use of churches to educate and mobilize supporters

8. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Policies favored by the Religious Right Strong support for Israel  site of the expected Second Coming of Jesus Opposition to abortion and contraception  Against premarital sex Teaching the Bible in public schools  Especially creationism or intelligent design Opposition to secular education  Prefer home schooling, vouchers, private schools & colleges Support traditional roles for women Opposition to homosexuality, gay rights, gay marriage

9. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Other trends in American religion Increased religious diversity; growth of Islam and Eastern religions Younger people have more secular views Organized opposition to the Religious Right by more liberal Christians and Jews Public attitudes becoming more tolerant of equality for women, premarital sex, homosexuality, abortion, stem cell research, euthanasia

10. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Interest Group Influence Internal Factors: membership, resources, leadership, strategy External Factors: countervailing groups, public opinion, party control of Congress or Presidency, media coverage, court rulings

11. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Political Influence of the Religious Right Dominance in the Republican Party: grassroots organizations, convention delegates and platforms, primary voters High turnout important in the 2002 and 2004 elections “Moral” rather than economic issues have dominated the political agenda since 1980 Faith-based programs and Abstinence Education receive federal funding Many more restrictions on abortion Presidential candidates talk about God, their faith, & being “born again”

12. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Limits to Influence of the Religious Right Less influence in more diverse states/cities and high- turnout elections: Countervailing Power IRS denies tax exemption to the Christian Coalition Federal judge bans the teaching of intelligent design in public schools Legal challenges to faith-based programs and Abstinence Education; violation of Establishment Clause? Adverse public reaction to extreme positions on abortion, banning stem cell research, clergy endorsements of candidates, Terri Schiavo case Public and media cynicism about “moral” candidates

13. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Chapter 11 Congress

14. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Bicameral Legislature A legislature with two houses— such as the House and the Senate 11-1a Bicameralism House of Representatives Senate

15. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 11-1b House of Representatives Representatives elected every two years Per state number of representatives proportional to population based on Census Always 435 members  (by law, not constitution)

16. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 11-1c The Senate Senators serve six year terms Each state has two senators – regardless of population Vacancies in Senate can be filled through appointment by a state’s governor

17. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Early on, members of Congress did not stay in Congress long: Cincinnatus ideal of citizen legislator. Since then, many members of Congress serve for many years: professional legislators. 11-2 The Evolution of Congress

18. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 A permanent committee in Congress with jurisdiction over a specific policy area. Such a committee has tremendous say over the details of legislation within its jurisdiction. Standing Committee

19. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 The congressional norm of making the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on a committee the chair of that committee. Seniority Rule

20. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 A closed meeting of members of a political party to discuss matters of public policy and political strategy, and in some cases, to select candidates for House or Senate office. Caucus

21. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Drawing congressional district boundaries to favor one party over the other. Usually done by majority party in state legislature. Gerrymandering

22. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 11-3c The Incumbents’ Advantages Responsibility Franking Privilege Resources of Office

23. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 The right of a member of Congress to send official mail without paying postage. Franking

24. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Election money is necessary for: Campaign workers Pollsters District campaign offices Advertising Travel expenses Large “war chest” can discourage potential challengers Campaign Money

25. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 House and Senate Party Campaign Committees Concern with partisan control of Congress Funnel contributions to open seats or the most competitive districts Increasing national party influence over state or district elections

26. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Divided Government When the president is of one party and the other party has a majority in at least one house of Congress.

27. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Influence in power of referral of legislation to committee Power of scheduling of legislative debate Recognition of members on floor during a debate Leader of the majority party Ability to give and withhold favors Currently Dennis Hastert, R-Il. Speaker of the House

28. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Helps schedule Helps develop positions on issues Speaks for the party on the floor of the House Currently Bill Frist Leadership’s chief vote counter Monitors the mood of the House members Informs members of schedule Majority LeaderMajority Whip

29. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Responsible for keeping minority party unified and helping to craft strategies for the minority party. Minority Leader Minority Whip

30. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 The tactic of stalling a bill in the Senate by talking endlessly about the bill in order to win changes in it or kill it. No filibuster allowed on budget bills. Filibuster

31. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 The procedure to stop a filibuster, which requires a supermajority of sixty votes. Cloture

32. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 House of Representatives Member Introduces Bill Same version of the bill must pass both Houses Bill referred to committee Bill referred to subcommittee Bill reported by full committee

33. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Rules Committee Action Debate and Vote. No action can be taken without a Rule to limit debates or amendments.

34. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Bill Referred to Committee Senate Bill Referred to Subcommittee Bill Reported by Full Committee

35. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Debate Scheduled by Informal Negotiation Debate and Vote. Vice president can break ties.

36. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Other Senate Duties Confirmation of Supreme Court justices Confirmation of Cabinet officers Approval of formal treaties Conducts the trial if the House votes to impeach; 2/3 vote required to convict.

37. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Conference Committee Reconciles bills if the House and Senate versions differ Only those who voted for the bill in their chamber can serve; may lead to strategic voting House version of bills usually predominates Conference bill must then pass both Houses

38. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Overriding a Presidential Veto Important check on executive power Requires 2/3 majority in both Houses More common under divided governments

39. Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Other responsibilities of Congress Holding hearings on complex or controversial issues Power to subpoena documents and require testimony from the executive branch Oversight of bureaucracy and regulatory agencies