1. US Congress Chapter 13 AP Government

2. US Congress  Plays a big part in Who Governs?  Different than a Parliament

3. Differences Congress Parliament IIndependent votes, of party and of President EElected independently of the party MMake laws/policy AAligned to party and Prime Minister EElected as part of the party DDebate laws/ policy

4. 6 era’s of the House 1. House has more power than Senate 1800’s 2. Jacksonian’s create cleavage 1830’s (slavery) 3. Speaker takes control by 1900 4. Committee/Chairperson power 1920’s 5. Elected Chairs, not appointed 1960’s 6. Reduced committee power 1990’s

5. The average member is… White50’s MarriedMale College degreeProtestant Upper-middle class Long term residents Incumbents

6. Voting on a Bill  Organizational-As the party wants  Attitudinal-Their own mind  Representational-As voters in the state/district want

7. House Power Members are more polarized than citizens Align with caucuses/cleavages Speakers recently gained power Party has some influence -especially in leadership appointments

8. Senate Power Less party control than in the House More decentralized/independent Committees have the most power

9. Get to Work #1 job is passing legislation Major help from personal staff PPage 346 Help from CRS, GAO, CBO

10. Incumbency Privileges  Franking  Pork-barrel credit  Tax credit for DC home/apartment  Non-libel/Non-arrest status  Travel expenses  Lobbyist “perks”

11. Post 911  Faster response to terrorism  Faster response by intelligence community  USA Patriot Act  Continuity Commission reccomendations