Congress

Theories of Representation

Redistricting

Reapportionment vs. Redistricting Gerrymandering

– Political gerrymandering – favoring the party in power in the state legislature

– Racial gerrymandering – efforts to increase or limit the influence of racial minorities

Racial Gerrymandering

“Cracking”– Drawing district lines so that the minority racial

group is diffuse, spread out over many districts, so they have no influence in any one district

“Packing”– Drawing district lines to that the minority racial group

is concentrated into one or two districts, with no influence in any of the others

Redistricting:A Modern Gerrymander

History of North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District

Congressional Organization:The Two Chambers of Our Bicameral Legislature

The House of Representatives (“The House”)– 435 members– 2-year terms– Members represent a distinct geographic district– D.C., American Samoa, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands (delegates)– Puerto Rico (Resident Commissioner – 4 yrs)– Northern Mariana Islands – nothing!

Senate– 100 members– 6-year terms– Members represent entire state (2 per)

Who Represents Us?

House– UNT is in the 26th Congressional District for Texas– Michael Burgess, R

Senate– Kay Bailey Hutchison, R (1993 - ?)

Reelected in 2006

– John Cornyn, R (2002 - ?) Up for election in 2008

Marking Time in Congress

A “Congress” is a two-year period Consists of two sessions (each one year) Right now, 110th Congress, 1st Session

Herding Cats

“Congress” = 535 elected officials + thousands of staff members

How do they get anything done? Structure:

– Party Structure / Leadership– Committee Structure

Party Leadership in the House

Selected by the House Conference (Reps) and Caucus (Dems) – all House members of that party

Majority Party (Democrats)– Speaker of the House – Nancy Pelosi, CA– Majority Leader – Steny Hoyer, MD– Majority Whip – James Clyburn, SC

Minority Party– Minority Leader – John Boehner, OH– Minority Whip – Roy Blunt, MO

Party Leadership in the House

Selected by the House Conference (Reps) and Caucus (Dems) – all House members of that party

Majority Party (Democrats)– Speaker of the House – Nancy Pelosi, CA– Majority Leader – Steny Hoyer, MD– Majority Whip – James Clyburn, SC

Minority Party– Minority Leader – John Boehner, OH– Minority Whip – Roy Blunt, MO

Party Leadership in the Senate

Majority Party (Democrats)– President Pro Tempore – Robert Byrd, WV– Majority Leader – Harry Reid, NV– Majority Whip – Dick Durbin, IL

Minority Party (Republicans)– Minority Leader – Mitch McConnell, KY– Minority Whip – Trent Lott, MS

Party Leadership in the Senate

Majority Party (Democrats)– President Pro Tempore – Robert Byrd, WV– Majority Leader – Harry Reid, NV– Majority Whip – Dick Durbin, IL

Minority Party (Republicans)– Minority Leader – Mitch McConnell, KY– Minority Whip – Trent Lott, MS