1. CONGRESS

2. Overview of Congress I. Terms and Sessions a) Terms last 2 years b) Begins January 3 of every odd-numbered year c) Numbered Consecutively (11-13= 112th) d) Adjournment = end of term (both houses must agree) e) Two sessions per term/ periodic recesses

3. Overview of Congress II. Bicameralism = Two houses A. House of Reps = closer to people Elected by the people Smaller districts (Michael C. Burgess) 2 year term Entire body elected every 2 years Revenue bills must originate in the house

4. Overview of Congress II. Bicameralism = Two houses B. Senate designed to be removed from the people Originally elected by state legislatures Elected on an at large basis 6 year terms 1/3 up for election every 2 years = more continuity and stability

5. Overview of Congress III. House of Representatives A. Size Determined by congress (435 since 1911) Elected by districts Population of state determines # of Reps (increase in Sun Belts decrease in Frost Belt)

6. Overview of Congress III. House of Representatives B. Fixed terms Two years/ entire body up for re-election Term limits ruled unconstitutional in US Term Limits v. Thornton (added a qualification) C. Qualifications 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, residency in state

7. Overview of Congress IV. Senate A. Size: 100 members B. Term: 6 years C. Qualifications: 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of state

8. Overview of Congress V. Compensation A. Members set own salary (27th amendment = raise takes effect next term) B. Perks: travel allowance, staff, office space, franking privilege, insurance C. Legislative immunity D. Cannot be arrested or detained while going to or from a session of Congress

9. Evolution of Congress I. Founders Intentions A. Feared excessive power in single institution B. Fear of Mob rule C. Concern about manner of representation D. Belief that Congress would be dominant branch of government

10. Evolution of Congress CENTRALIZATION 1. Strong central leadership 2. Restrictions on debate 3. Few opportunities to stall 4. Minimal committee interference 5. Streamlined legislative process 6. Minimal public scrutiny DECENTRALIZATION 1. Weak leadership 2. Few restrictions on debate 3. Stalling tactics 4. Powerful committees 5. Complicated legislative process 6. Close public scrutiny II. Conflict over Distribution of Power

11. Evolution of Congress II. Conflict over Distribution of Power A. 1889-1910 Strong Centralization in the House 1.Speaker Thomas Reed had strong powers including: - making committee assignments - Appointing committee chairs - Chairing the Rules committee 2.Joseph “Uncle Joe” Cannon continued Reed’s centralization

12. Evolution of Congress II. Conflict over Distribution of Power B. Decentralization in the House 1. 1910 Revolt against Joe: - Speaker could no longer make committee assignments - Speaker could no longer appoint chairs - Speaker lost position on Rules Committee 2. Move towards decentralization - Individuals voted without fear of Speaker - Rules committee gained more power - Committee Chairmen gained power

13. Evolution of Congress II. Conflict over Distribution of Power B. Decentralization in the House 3. Decentralization in the 1970s (Class of 74) - Individual members gained more power - More subcommittees - Power of subcommittee chairs rose (committee chair power declined) - More staff members - Reduction in the seniority system

14. Evolution of Congress II. Conflict over Distribution of Power C. Developments in the Senate 1. More naturally decentralized - Fewer members - no Speaker - lack a strong Rules Committee 2.Democratization of the Senate with passage of 17th amendment (1913) 3.Concern over length of floor debates -Use of filibuster -Cloture vote (3/5 of senators can move to end debate)

15. Incumbency Reelection rate in House 90% Reelection rate in Senate 80% Relatively few seats are seriously contested “Permanent Congress” But… retirements open up a lot of seats each year

16. Incumbency Specific Advantages Franking privilege Staffers Patronage Name recognition Money, esp. from PACs

17. Incumbency Special Advantage: Gerrymandering 1.Reapportionment: Redistribution of 435 seats in the House on the basis of changes in the state populations. a.Reps per state determined by pop. b.Census conducted every 10 yrs. c.Census shows populations changes and seats are allotted based upon new numbers

18. Incumbency Special Advantage: Gerrymandering 2.Redistricting: When seats change, district boundaries must change. a.Party controlling state legislature redraws district boundaries. b.Gerrymandering = redrawing boundaries to favor party in power

19. Incumbency Special Advantage: Gerrymandering Origins of term: 19th century Governor Elbridge Gerry redrew lines himself with some having such strange shapes, they looked like salamanders. Party in Power keeps power by: “Packing”- concentrate opposition population in few districts “Cracking”- Disperse opp. Party throughout state to dilute their impact

20. Incumbency Special Advantage: Gerrymandering Effects of Gerrymandering 1. Party in power, STAYS in power 2. Safe seats are created 3. Odd-shaped districts 4. “Majority-Minority” districts created by racial gerrymandering

21. Incumbency Redistricting Requirements: 1. Districts must be as near equal in population as possible a. Baker v. Carr, 1962 “one man, one vote” principle applied to state leg districts to correct overrepresentation of rural areas. b. Wesberry v. Sanders 1964 applied principle to House districts 2. District lines must be contiguous 3. Racial gerrymandering is prohibited (Shaw v. Reno, 1993). Race may not be the primary factor in drawing district lines (Miller v. Johnson, 1995)

22. Gerrymandering

24. GERRYMANDERING http://www.gothamgazette.com/votegame/

25. Leadership in Congress- House Speaker of the House- Presides over House 1. Appoints select and conference committees 2. Appoints Rules Committee members and Chair 3. Assigns Bills to committees 4. Second in line for Presidency

26. Leadership in Congress- House Majority Leader- Partisan Position- chosen by party members 1. Floor leader/ legislative strategist 2. Minority leader-

27. Leadership in Congress- House Majority Whip- 1. Assistant floor leader 2. Inform leaders on mood of the House 3. Keep count on important votes 4. Persuade party members to vote with party 5. Minority whip

28. Leadership in Congress- Senate VP- President of the Senate 1. Presides over Senate 2. Votes in case of a tie 3. Ceremonial Job

29. Leadership in Congress- Senate President Pro Tempore- 1. Ceremonial Job 2. Presides in Absence of the VP 3. Third in line for the presidency

30. Leadership in Congress- Senate Majority Leader- 1. True leader in Senate 2. Recognized first for all debates 3. Leads majority party 4. Influences committee assignments 5. Influences agenda with Minority leader

31. Leadership in Congress- Senate Minority Leader and party whips function the same as they do in the House

32. Committees Standing committees are the permanent committees of Congress. They have both legislative and oversight powers. House Standing: Rules (most powerful of all) Ways and means (deals with tax bills) Appropriations (spending) Budget Armed Services

33. Committees Standing committees are the permanent committees of Congress. They have both legislative and oversight powers. Senate Standing: Finance (tax bills) Appropriations (spending) Budget Foreign Relations (prestigious) Treaty and ambassador work Judiciary: screen judicial nominees

34. Committees Conference committees: Temporary committees comprised of members of both houses Develop compromise language for a bill when versions differ After conference committee sends bill back - no amendments are allowed and bill is generally passed “Third House of Congress” Other Committees Select: temporary purpose in House Joint: Both houses for temporary purpose