1. Chapter 9
Congress

2. Why Congress?
Founders feared tyrannical rulers and had experienced weakness of congress under Articles of Confederation
Bicameralism (result of “Great Compromise”) attempts to balance power among large and small states, elites and masses; House based on population; Senate on equality of states

3. Powers of Congress
Enumerated/expressed powers (Article I, section 8), including:
Impose taxes
Borrow and spend money
Regulate interstate and international commerce
Coin money
Establish court system
Declare war
Raise army and navy

4. Powers of Congress (cont.)
Implied powers
From the necessary and proper/elastic clause (Article 1, section 8, clause 18)
First used in the Supreme Court’s ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Allows Congress to enact laws that assist in accomplishing goals directly related to its enumerated powers
Set stage for expanded role of national government relative to states; a check on expansion of executive power

5. Functions of Congress
Lawmaking (and logrolling) = primary and fundamental
Constituent service (casework)
Representation
Trustee (conscience, broad interest)
Instructed-delegate (agent of constituents)
Combination of roles
Oversight (follow up on laws)
Public education (agenda setting)
Conflict resolution (great pluralist mediator)

6. © 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

7. Members of Congress Not typical Americans Older Wealthier
Disproportionately White, male, and Protestant
Trained in professional occupations

9. Congressional Elections operated by individual state governments
House of Representatives
Elected every two years by popular ballot
Number of seats is determined by population
Each state has at least one representative
Each district has about a half million residents
435 members
U.S. Senate
Elected every six years by popular ballot (since ratification of the 17th Amendment (1913))
One third of the Senate is elected every two years
Each state has two Senators
100 members

10. Power of Incumbency Overwhelming majority of incumbent representatives
Smaller proportion of senators
Who run for reelection are successful
See Table 9-3, 215

11. Power of Incumbency, 215
© 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

12. Complexities “One person, one vote” principle
Reapportionment = allocation of seats in House of Representatives to each state after each census
Redistricting = redrawing boundaries of districts within each state
Done by state legislatures
Gerrymandering (Figure 9.1, 217)
Minority-majority districts

13. 4th district, Figure 9-2, 218
© 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

14. Compensation Members of Congress are well paid ($154,000 in 2003)
Enjoy a host of benefits
Personal and committee staff members
Privileges and immunities

15. Committee Structure
Bulk of legislating done in committees and subcommittees
Standing committees (review introduced legislation)
Select committees (short-term, specific purpose)
Joint committees (members from both)
Conference committees (special joint committees aimed at achieving agreement on legislative wording)
Seniority system (longer-term members given preference in committee appointments)

17. Congressional Leadership
House of Representatives
Speaker of the House (most powerful position)
House Majority Leader
House Minority Leader
House Majority Whip
House Minority Whip

18. Congressional Leadership
U.S. Senate
President of Senate (Vice President, ceremonial)
President pro tem (appointed by majority party to preside when VP absent)
Majority Floor Leader (most powerful leader)
Minority Floor Leader
Senate Majority Whip
Senate Minority Whip

19. How Members Vote Cue-taking from senior members (yes and no)
Best predictor = party affiliation

20. How a Bill Becomes a Law Passes through both chambers of Congress
Through standing and joint committees
Goes to President who signs or vetoes
If vetoed, can be overriden by a 2/3 majority in both houses

21. How a Bill becomes a Law, Figure 9.3, 227
© 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™
How a Bill becomes a Law, Figure 9.3, 227

22. Budget Process President prepares executive budget
Reviewed by Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Sent to Congress, which is expected to pass a final budget by September

23. Budget Cycle, Figure 9-4, 229
© 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

24. Discussion Questions
What are important differences between the House and Senate?
How is the average member of Congress different from the average American?
How much power do congressional leaders have?
Why do incumbents usually win reelection?
Are minority-majority districts fair?
Why is it relatively easy to kill a bill in Congress?

25. Hot Links to Selected Internet Resources
Book’s Companion Site:
Wadsworth’s Political Science Site:
U.S. Senate:
U.S. House of Representatives:
Roll Call Newspaper Online: