CongressCongress

““The peoples’ branch.”The peoples’ branch.”

The Structure and Powers of The Structure and Powers of CongressCongress

What the Framers Had in MindWhat the Framers Had in Mind– Bicameral legislatureBicameral legislature

House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives – ““The great repository of the principle of government.”–The great repository of the principle of government.”–

James MadisonJames Madison– # of representatives based on state population# of representatives based on state population– Elected by the peopleElected by the people– 2 year terms2 year terms

SenateSenate– Equal number of Senators per stateEqual number of Senators per state– National/broad based perspectiveNational/broad based perspective– Longer terms=6 yearsLonger terms=6 years

The Members of CongressThe Members of CongressDifferences between the House and the SenateDifferences between the House and the Senate

HouseHouse SenateSenate435 Members435 Members 100 Members100 MembersTwo-year termTwo-year term Six-year termSix-year termSmaller constituenciesSmaller constituencies Larger constituenciesLarger constituenciesFewer personal staffFewer personal staff More personal staffMore personal staffEqual populations representedEqual populations represented States representedStates representedLess flexible rulesLess flexible rules More flexible rulesMore flexible rulesMore policy specialistsMore policy specialists Policy generalistsPolicy generalistsLess media coverageLess media coverage More media coverageMore media coverageLess prestigeLess prestige More prestigeMore prestigeMore powerful committee leadersMore powerful committee leaders More equal distribution of powerMore equal distribution of powerVery important committeesVery important committees Less important committeesLess important committeesMore partisanMore partisan Less partisanLess partisanNongermane amendments not allowedNongermane amendments not allowed Nongermane amendments Nongermane amendments

allowedallowed

PUREPOLITICS.COM - House vs. Senate "Have Fun"PUREPOLITICS.COM - House vs. Senate "Have Fun"

The Members of CongressThe Members of CongressLegal and Political RequirementsLegal and Political RequirementsHouseHouse SenateSenate

AGEAGE 25 yrs old+25 yrs old+ 30 yrs old+30 yrs old+

CITIZENSHIPCITIZENSHIP 7 yrs+7 yrs+ 9 yrs +9 yrs +

RESIDENCYRESIDENCY StateState StateState

TERMTERM 2 years2 years 6 years6 years

Salaries and Benefits of Salaries and Benefits of CongressCongress

Senate and House set their own salariesSenate and House set their own salaries– 1789 salary=$6.00 per day1789 salary=$6.00 per day– 2008 salary=$169,300 per year2008 salary=$169,300 per year

Twenty-seventh Amendment (1992)-prohibits a sitting Twenty-seventh Amendment (1992)-prohibits a sitting Congress from giving itself a pay raise.Congress from giving itself a pay raise.Franking privilege: free mailing to constituentsFranking privilege: free mailing to constituentsLarge budget to pay for staff, telephones, telegrams, Large budget to pay for staff, telephones, telegrams, newsletters, stationery, etc.newsletters, stationery, etc.33 paid trips home33 paid trips home$150,000/year pension for life$150,000/year pension for life

Election Cycle Election Cycle Members of the House of Representatives must Members of the House of Representatives must run for re-election run for re-election every two yearsevery two years. during even . during even calendar years. (i.e. 2012, 2014, 2016)calendar years. (i.e. 2012, 2014, 2016)Members of the Senate must run for re-election Members of the Senate must run for re-election every 6 yearsevery 6 years. Every 2 years 1/3 of the Senate . Every 2 years 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election. (1/3 in 2012, 1/3 in 2014, is up for re-election. (1/3 in 2012, 1/3 in 2014, 1/3 in 2016 etc.)1/3 in 2016 etc.)These elections are held on the first Tues. of These elections are held on the first Tues. of November. November.

Reelection and Incumbency Reelection and Incumbency AdvantageAdvantage

Incumbents=those who are in officeIncumbents=those who are in officeWhy are incumbents usually reelected?Why are incumbents usually reelected?– Incumbents find it easier to raise fundsIncumbents find it easier to raise funds– Incumbents are better known to constituentsIncumbents are better known to constituents– Incumbents use their positions to help solve Incumbents use their positions to help solve

voters’ problems voters’ problems (committee positions)(committee positions)– Most voters believe their incumbents best Most voters believe their incumbents best

represents their viewsrepresents their views– Gerrymandering???Gerrymandering???

Table 11.2: Incumbents in Congress Reelected by 60 Percent Table 11.2: Incumbents in Congress Reelected by 60 Percent or Moreor More

Congressional SessionsCongressional Sessions

Each term of Congress starts on January 3Each term of Congress starts on January 3rdrd of odd-numbered years after the election the of odd-numbered years after the election the previous November. previous November. The Congressional term last for next TWO The Congressional term last for next TWO years.years. Each term is divided into TWO SESSIONSEach term is divided into TWO SESSIONSCurrent Congress Term: 113Current Congress Term: 113thth

What does Congress do when they are in What does Congress do when they are in Session?Session?

Representation for all?Representation for all?

Members of Congress have traditionally been Members of Congress have traditionally been disproportionately rich, white, males.disproportionately rich, white, males.Most come from the fields of law, politics or Most come from the fields of law, politics or and big business. and big business. – Law degrees are held by 169 HoR Reps (38%) Law degrees are held by 169 HoR Reps (38%)

and 57 Senators (57%)and 57 Senators (57%)– Prior Political office184 HoR (43%) 42 SenatorsPrior Political office184 HoR (43%) 42 Senators– Big Business:187 HoR (44%) 27% Senators Big Business:187 HoR (44%) 27% Senators The Senate is called “The Millionaire’s Club.”The Senate is called “The Millionaire’s Club.”

Representation of all?Representation of all?

56% of the Members are Protestant: 56% of the Members are Protestant: with with

Baptist as the most represented denomination. 31% are Catholic. Baptist as the most represented denomination. 31% are Catholic.

44 African American Members (8.1% of the 44 African American Members (8.1% of the total membership)total membership)37 Hispanic or Latino Members (6.9%)37 Hispanic or Latino Members (6.9%)A record 102 women (18.8% of total A record 102 women (18.8% of total membership) serve in the 113membership) serve in the 113thth Congress as Congress as of July 2014, 10 more 112of July 2014, 10 more 112thth What will be the 113What will be the 113thth legacy??? legacy???

What is the role of the Rep? What is the role of the Rep? – Delegate?Delegate?

Congress members who feel bound to follow the wishes of a majority of Congress members who feel bound to follow the wishes of a majority of their constituents; they make frequent efforts to learn the opinions of their constituents; they make frequent efforts to learn the opinions of voters in their state or district.voters in their state or district.

– Trustee?Trustee? Congress members who follow their constituency when voters have Congress members who follow their constituency when voters have clear, strong preferences, but their own best judgment either when the clear, strong preferences, but their own best judgment either when the electorate’s desire is weak, mixed, or unclear, or when the member has electorate’s desire is weak, mixed, or unclear, or when the member has very strong views on an issue.very strong views on an issue.

– Politico Role?Politico Role? Congress members who feel the best way they can help their Congress members who feel the best way they can help their constituency (particularly those who voted for them) is to support the constituency (particularly those who voted for them) is to support the party agenda so that when law making happens he /she has the party agenda so that when law making happens he /she has the support of his/her fellow party members. support of his/her fellow party members.

Reapportionment of House of Reps.Reapportionment of House of Reps.ReapportionmentReapportionment– Since 1911 the number of HoR members has been Since 1911 the number of HoR members has been

fixed at 435 fixed at 435 – The number of seats each state gets depends on its The number of seats each state gets depends on its

population. (California 53; Delaware 1) population. (California 53; Delaware 1) – Every 10 year the government census to check shifts Every 10 year the government census to check shifts

in populationin population– States with slow population growth or decrease will States with slow population growth or decrease will

lose representatives, while states with rapid lose representatives, while states with rapid population growth may gain representatives.population growth may gain representatives.

– PA History: PA History: 1910 - 36 1910 - 36 1950- 30 1950- 30 1970- 251970- 25 1990 - 191990 - 19 2010 - 182010 - 18

RedistrictingRedistrictingStates determine their own districts by decision States determine their own districts by decision

in the individual state legislatures.in the individual state legislatures.

REDISTRICTING: The state legislature draws REDISTRICTING: The state legislature draws the boundary lines of each districtthe boundary lines of each district

Boundaries are supposed to be drawn to make Boundaries are supposed to be drawn to make districts equal.districts equal.

Does this look fair? How does it Does this look fair? How does it happen????happen????

GerrymanderingGerrymandering

Historically, state legislatures have abused their Historically, state legislatures have abused their power to divide the state into congressional power to divide the state into congressional districts by gerrymandering.districts by gerrymandering.GERRYMANDERING: Named after Elbridge GERRYMANDERING: Named after Elbridge Gerry, Democratic-Republican Governor of Gerry, Democratic-Republican Governor of MassachusettsMassachusettsGerrymandering means that the political party Gerrymandering means that the political party controlling the state government draws a controlling the state government draws a district’s boundaries to gain an advantage in district’s boundaries to gain an advantage in elections. Districts usually have an irregular elections. Districts usually have an irregular shape.shape.

Gerrymandering Gerrymandering by Cracking and Packingby Cracking and Packing

““Cracking”Cracking”Redistricting by spreading out your party Redistricting by spreading out your party supporter so they become the majority in as supporter so they become the majority in as many districts as possible many districts as possible

““Packing” Packing” Redistricting a district to place as many of the Redistricting a district to place as many of the oppositions’ supporters in one district as oppositions’ supporters in one district as possible so to take away the opposition’s possible so to take away the opposition’s majority in as many districts as possible majority in as many districts as possible

Redistricting CasesRedistricting CasesBaker v. CarrBaker v. Carr (1962)-The Court held that federal (1962)-The Court held that federal courts could decide conflicts over drawing district courts could decide conflicts over drawing district boundariesboundariesReynolds v. SimsReynolds v. Sims (1964)-The Court held that the (1964)-The Court held that the equal protection clause of the 14equal protection clause of the 14 thth Amendment Amendment required that seats be apportioned on a population required that seats be apportioned on a population basisbasisWesberry v. SandersWesberry v. Sanders (1964)-The Court ruled that (1964)-The Court ruled that the Constitution clearly intended that a vote in one the Constitution clearly intended that a vote in one congressional district was to be worth as much as congressional district was to be worth as much as a vote in another district. “one man-one vote.”a vote in another district. “one man-one vote.”

How the HoR Works: OverviewHow the HoR Works: Overview

The problem… organizing 435 agendasThe problem… organizing 435 agendasThe answers (???) The answers (???) 1.1. The two party system and House leadership: The two party system and House leadership:

Who has the ball? Who has the ball?2.2. Committee work: divide and conquerCommittee work: divide and conquer3.3. Following the RulesFollowing the Rules

The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives

House LeadershipHouse Leadership– Leaders serve 6 purposesLeaders serve 6 purposes

Organizing and unifying party membersOrganizing and unifying party membersScheduling the work of the HouseScheduling the work of the HouseMaking certain that lawmakers are present for key Making certain that lawmakers are present for key floor votesfloor votesDistributing and collecting informationDistributing and collecting informationKeeping the House in touch with the presidentKeeping the House in touch with the presidentInfluencing lawmakers to support the policies of Influencing lawmakers to support the policies of their political partytheir political party

House LeadershipHouse LeadershipSpeaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House– Presiding officer of the HousePresiding officer of the House– Powerful leader of the majority partyPowerful leader of the majority party– Party CAUCUS chooses SpeakerParty CAUCUS chooses Speaker– Presides over sessions and c an influence who is Presides over sessions and c an influence who is

recognized first.recognized first.– Appoints members to certain committeesAppoints members to certain committees– Refers bills to committee and Schedules bills for actionRefers bills to committee and Schedules bills for action– Is third in the line of succession to the presidencyIs third in the line of succession to the presidency

House LeadershipHouse LeadershipMajority LeaderMajority Leader– Speaker’s top assistantSpeaker’s top assistant– Helps party to plan legislative programHelps party to plan legislative program– Steers important bills through the HouseSteers important bills through the House– Floor leader who controls the members speaking on the Floor leader who controls the members speaking on the

floor of the Housefloor of the House– Controls, with Speaker, the scheduling of billsControls, with Speaker, the scheduling of bills

Majority WhipMajority Whip– Assistant floor leaderAssistant floor leader– Keep track of how members of the majority party will vote Keep track of how members of the majority party will vote

on billson bills– Persuades members to vote as their party desiresPersuades members to vote as their party desires

The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives

Rules for Lawmaking:Rules for Lawmaking:– House rules are generally aimed at defining House rules are generally aimed at defining

the actions an individual representative can the actions an individual representative can taketake

– Representatives are generally limited to Representatives are generally limited to speaking for 5 minutes or lessspeaking for 5 minutes or less

– Rules are geared toward moving legislation Rules are geared toward moving legislation quickly once it reaches the floor.quickly once it reaches the floor.

The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives

Committee WorkCommittee Work– Committees do most the work in CongressCommittees do most the work in Congress– HR committees are more important that Senate HR committees are more important that Senate

committeescommitteesMembers must organize themselves into smaller groupsMembers must organize themselves into smaller groupsRepresentatives tend to specialize on issues that are Representatives tend to specialize on issues that are important to their constituentsimportant to their constituents

Party AffiliationParty Affiliation– The majority party selects the Speaker and the The majority party selects the Speaker and the

chairpersons of each committeechairpersons of each committee– The majority party has a lot of power to control the flow of The majority party has a lot of power to control the flow of

legislation.legislation.

Lawmaking in the HouseLawmaking in the House

Sessions generally start at noon Sessions generally start at noon Most important work happens from Tuesday Most important work happens from Tuesday through Thursdaythrough ThursdayMost members are not even on the floor Most members are not even on the floor because they are in committee meetings, talking because they are in committee meetings, talking with voters and lobbyists, or taking care of other with voters and lobbyists, or taking care of other businessbusinessRepresentatives reach the floor very quickly Representatives reach the floor very quickly when it is time for debate or to vote on a bill.when it is time for debate or to vote on a bill.

Lawmaking in the HouseLawmaking in the House

All laws start as billsAll laws start as billsBills are placed in the hopperBills are placed in the hopperAfter the bill is introduced, the Speaker After the bill is introduced, the Speaker refers it to the proper committeerefers it to the proper committee– ResearchResearch– HearingsHearings– RevisionRevision– Mark-up sessionsMark-up sessions

Lawmaking in the HouseLawmaking in the House

Bills that survive committee review are Bills that survive committee review are scheduled on one of FIVE calendars for floor scheduled on one of FIVE calendars for floor actionactionBills go to the Rules committee before the floor Bills go to the Rules committee before the floor where decisions are made as to how and when where decisions are made as to how and when a bill is considered on the floor of the Housea bill is considered on the floor of the House– Open rulesOpen rules– Closed rulesClosed rules– Restrictive rulesRestrictive rules

The Rules Committee can delay and even block The Rules Committee can delay and even block a bill from reaching the floora bill from reaching the floor