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Chapter 11 Chapter 11 CONGRESS CONGRESS
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Chapter 11Chapter 11
CONGRESSCONGRESS
Learning Outcomes11.1 Explain the structure and powers of Congress as envisioned by the framers and enumerated in the Constitution.
11.2 Analyze the factors that affect the way voters elect members of Congress
11.3 Describe the ways in which issues get on the congressional agenda.
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Learning Outcomes
11.4 Differentiate among the types of congressional committees and evaluate the role of the committee system in the legislative process.
11.5 Identify the leadership structure of the legislative branch and assess the rules and norms that influence congressional operations.
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Learning Outcomes11.6 Appraise the components of the legislative environment that affect decision making in Congress.
11.7 Consider whether members of Congress should vote according to the majority views of their constituents.
11.8 Assess the elements that characterize Congress as a pluralist or majoritarian system.
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The Origin and Powers of Congress
The Great Compromise Created two separate legislative chambers Equal representation in Senate Proportional representation in House
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The Origin and Powers of Congress
Duties of the House and Senate Declare war Raise an army and navy Borrow and coin money Regulate interstate commerce Create federal courts Establish rules for naturalization of immigrants “Make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper
for carrying into Execution and foregoing Powers.”
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The Origin and Powers of Congress
Duties of the House and Senate House of Representatives
Originate revenue bills Power of impeachment
Senate Try impeachments Approve presidential appointments, treaties with foreign
nations and cabinet posts
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Electing Congress The Incumbency Effect
Frequent elections give voters chance to express approval/disapproval with vote
Redistricting - Census-based reapportionment Gerrymandering
Name recognition Casework Campaign financing Successful challenges
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Figure 11.1 Incumbents: Life is Good
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Figure 11.2 We Love Our Incumbents, but Congress Itself Stinks
Electing Congress Whom Do We Elect?
Elected: not cross-section of American society Most are upper-class professionals Around 47% are millionaires Women and minorities underrepresented
Descriptive representation Racial gerrymandering
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The Millionaires’ Club
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Figure 11.3 Minorities in Congress
How Issues Get on the Congressional Agenda
Formal Legislative Process Starts with Introducing bill in House/Senate New issues reach agenda in many ways
Highly visible event focuses national attention on problem Presidential support may move an issue quickly Interest group efforts To enhance the image of a legislator
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The Legislative
Process
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The Lawmaking Process and the Importance of Committees Committees: The Workhorses of Congress
Standing committees Subcommittees Joint committees Select committees Conference committees
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The Lawmaking Process and the Importance of Committees Congressional Expertise and Seniority
Seniority Influence increases with seniority and expertise
Committee leadership and organization is significant Public policy decision making takes place there
Markup sessions Committee members work formally and informally to
reach consensus
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The Show Must Go On
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The Lawmaking Process and the Importance of Committees Oversight: Following Through on
Legislation Congress engages in oversight as extension of efforts
to control public policy Oversight performed in different ways
Hearing Reports
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The Lawmaking Process and the Importance of Committees Majoritarian and Pluralist Views of
Committees Committee system enhances pluralism Majoritarian aspect as well
Committees reflect ideological profiles of the two parties’ congressional contingent
In formulating legislation , committees anticipate what other legislators and senators will accept
Party loyalty rewarded through committee assignments
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Leaders and Followers in Congress
The Leadership Task Majority party leadership
Speaker of the House Majority leader Majority whip
Minority party leadership: Minority leader Minority whip
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The Johnson Treatment
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The Leadership Task in the Senate
Rules of Procedure Rules in chamber based on parliamentary procedure Important Difference between two chambers
House Rules Committee governs floor debate
Senate Relies on unanimous consent agreements to set start and
length of debate Filibuster and cloture
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The Legislative Environment Political Parties
Parties are strong forces in legislative process Most significant reason parties are important
Different ideologies Diversity exists but becoming more homogeneous
Bargaining: Important norm in Congress Parties have become more polarized, compromise difficult Inability to compromise is a threat to majoritarianism
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Figure 11.5 Rising Partisanship
The Legislative Environment The President
Capitalize on popular election and speak for majority Chief legislator White House involved in writing and development of bills Congress allows president a leadership role in proposing
legislation but jealously guards power of Congress Congress often clashes sharply with president
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The Legislative Environment Constituents
People in legislator’s district or state are a crucial part of decision-making process Legislators must consider
Voters interests Degree to which they should follow constituency preferences
Constituents’ influence contributes to pluralism Geographical basis of representation in Congress Push and pull Congress in different directions
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Constituents Strike Back
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The Legislative Environment Interest Groups
One of the four external sources of influence on Congress
Constituents influence Congress via interest groups Represent the population’s groupings
Vocational Regional Ideological
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The Dilemma of Representation
Presidents and Shopping Bags Members of Congress live in two worlds
World of presidents World of constituents
Criticized for being out of touch with constituents
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The Dilemma of Representation
Trustees or Delegates? Trustees
Vote their conscience, obligated to consider constituent views but not to vote according to views if they think they are misguided
Role more likely in larger, national interest issues Delegates
Vote represents majority view of constituents Must be prepared to vote against personal preference
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Pluralism, Majoritarianism,and Democracy
Parliamentary Government Government power in hands of majority party Power concentrated in legislature No separation of governmental power
Usually one house or have second, weaker chamber Usually do not have a court that invalidates acts
Checks on government action are few
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Pluralism, Majoritarianism,and Democracy
Pluralism Versus Majoritarianism in Congress Modern Congress characterized by both pluralism and
majoritarianism Growing partisanship in Congress represents a trend
toward greater majoritarianism To a degree, voters recognize difference between parties
and vote on that basis; increasing majoritarianism will constrain pluralism in Congress
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