How Congress WorksHow Congress WorksPart IPart I

Who’s in Congress?Who’s in Congress?

What are the factors that influence how What are the factors that influence how a member of Congress Vote on a member of Congress Vote on

Legislation? Legislation?

Personal BeliefsPersonal Beliefs Constituent InterestsConstituent Interests Interest GroupsInterest Groups

- Political Action Committees (PACs)- Political Action Committees (PACs) Political Party LoyaltyPolitical Party Loyalty

Functions of Congress1. Lawmaking - make binding rules for all

Americans (federal budget, health-care reform, gun control). The majority of bill originate in the executive.

2. Representation - elected officials who represent the views of their constituents.A. Trustee View - legislator who acts

according to his or her conscience and the broad interests of the entire society.

B. Instructed-Delegate View - legislator is an agent of the voters who elected them, regardless of personal belief.

Functions of Congress3. Constituency Service - legislators are expected

by their constituents to act as brokers between private citizens and the imposing federal government. This takes the form of casework.

4. Oversight - process by which Congress follows up on the laws it has enacted to ensure that they are enforced and administered the way Congress intended.

5. Public Education - public hearings, oversight of the executive, committee debate, etc. (Agenda-setting)

6. Conflict-Resolution - resolve conflicts within American society. Interest groups and other organizations count on Congress to address their grievances. Resolve competing viewpoints.

How are We represented?

BicameralTwo Houses

Senate and the House of Representatives

• Two house system allows each house to ‘check’ the actions of the other and helps prevent Congress from passing laws in a hurry.

Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan

Connecticut Compromise

Demographic Profile of the 112th Congress

Age Age GroupsGroups

Source: Source: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/demographics.tthttp://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/demographics.tt

PartyParty

GenderGender EthnicityEthnicity

• Since 1789, 12,013 individuals have served in Congress:– 10,737 in the House and 1,930 in the Senate.

– Six hundred and fifty-four of these Members have served in both chambers.

Party BreakdownParty Breakdown In the 112th Congress, the current party In the 112th Congress, the current party

alignments are 241 Republicans in the House alignments are 241 Republicans in the House of Representatives, 198 Democrats including 2 of Representatives, 198 Democrats including 2 vacant seats. vacant seats.

The Senate has 51 Democrats; 2 Independents, The Senate has 51 Democrats; 2 Independents, who caucus with the Democrats; and 47 who caucus with the Democrats; and 47 Republicans.Republicans.

49 Senators have previous House service;49 Senators have previous House service; 81 educators, employed as teachers, professors, instructors, fundraisers,81 educators, employed as teachers, professors, instructors, fundraisers, counselors, administrators, or coaches (68 in the House, 13 in the Senate);counselors, administrators, or coaches (68 in the House, 13 in the Senate); 2 medical doctors in the Senate, plus 1 veterinarian and 1 ophthalmologist; 2 medical doctors in the Senate, plus 1 veterinarian and 1 ophthalmologist; 15 medical doctors in the House (including one delegate), plus 2 dentists, 115 medical doctors in the House (including one delegate), plus 2 dentists, 1 veterinarian, 1 ophthalmologist, and 1 psychiatrist;10veterinarian, 1 ophthalmologist, and 1 psychiatrist;10 2 psychologists (both in the House), an optometrist (in the Senate), and 6 nurses (all in the House);2 psychologists (both in the House), an optometrist (in the Senate), and 6 nurses (all in the House); 5 ordained ministers, all in the House5 ordained ministers, all in the House 39 mayors (29 in the House, 10 in the Senate)39 mayors (29 in the House, 10 in the Senate) 11 state governors (all in the Senate) and 9 lieutenant governors 11 state governors (all in the Senate) and 9 lieutenant governors 10 judges (all in the House), and 26 prosecutors 10 judges (all in the House), and 26 prosecutors 1 cabinet secretary, 1 secretary of the navy, and one ambassador (all in the Senate);1 cabinet secretary, 1 secretary of the navy, and one ambassador (all in the Senate); 263 state or territorial legislators (222 in the House, including 2 Delegates, and 41 in the Senate)263 state or territorial legislators (222 in the House, including 2 Delegates, and 41 in the Senate) 105 congressional staffers (21 in the Senate, 84 in the House), as well as 9 congressional pages 105 congressional staffers (21 in the Senate, 84 in the House), as well as 9 congressional pages 4 Peace Corps volunteers, all in the House4 Peace Corps volunteers, all in the House 3 sheriffs and 2 deputy sheriffs, 2 FBI agents, a border patrol agent (all in the House), and a firefighter in the Senate3 sheriffs and 2 deputy sheriffs, 2 FBI agents, a border patrol agent (all in the House), and a firefighter in the Senate 1 physicist, 1 chemist, 6 engineers, and 1 microbiologist (all in the House)1 physicist, 1 chemist, 6 engineers, and 1 microbiologist (all in the House) 4 radio talk show hosts (two House, two Senate), 3 radio or television broadcasters (all in the House), 6 reporters or 4 radio talk show hosts (two House, two Senate), 3 radio or television broadcasters (all in the House), 6 reporters or

journalists (2 in the House, 4 in the Senate), a radio station manager, a public television producer, a sportswriter, and a journalists (2 in the House, 4 in the Senate), a radio station manager, a public television producer, a sportswriter, and a television commentator (all in the House)television commentator (all in the House)

7 accountants in the House and 2 in the Senate7 accountants in the House and 2 in the Senate 4 pilots, all in the House, including a former pilot of Marine One (the President’s helicopter), and 1 astronaut, in the 4 pilots, all in the House, including a former pilot of Marine One (the President’s helicopter), and 1 astronaut, in the

SenateSenate 2 screenwriters (1 House, 1 Senate), a comedian, in the Senate, a documentary film maker, also in the Senate, and 2 2 screenwriters (1 House, 1 Senate), a comedian, in the Senate, a documentary film maker, also in the Senate, and 2

professional football players, both in the Houseprofessional football players, both in the House 17 farmers (15 House, 2 Senate) and 11 ranchers (9 House, 2 Senate)17 farmers (15 House, 2 Senate) and 11 ranchers (9 House, 2 Senate) 2 almond orchard owners, both in the House, 1 farm manager (a Senator), 1 cattle farm owner (a Senator), 1 vintner (a 2 almond orchard owners, both in the House, 1 farm manager (a Senator), 1 cattle farm owner (a Senator), 1 vintner (a

House Member), and 1 fruit orchard workerHouse Member), and 1 fruit orchard worker 7 social workers in the House and 2 in the Senate; and7 social workers in the House and 2 in the Senate; and 5 current members of the military Reserves (3 House, 2 Senate), and 4 current members of the National Guard (3 5 current members of the military Reserves (3 House, 2 Senate), and 4 current members of the National Guard (3

House, 1 Senate).House, 1 Senate).

49 Senators have previous House service;49 Senators have previous House service; • • 81 educators, employed as teachers, 81 educators, employed as teachers,

professors, instructors, fundraisers,professors, instructors, fundraisers, counselors, administrators, or coaches (68 in the counselors, administrators, or coaches (68 in the

House, 13 in the Senate);House, 13 in the Senate); • • 2 medical doctors in the Senate, plus 1 2 medical doctors in the Senate, plus 1

veterinarian and 1 ophthalmologist; veterinarian and 1 ophthalmologist; 15 medical doctors in the House (including one 15 medical doctors in the House (including one

delegate), plus 2 dentists, 1delegate), plus 2 dentists, 1 veterinarian, 1 ophthalmologist, and 1 veterinarian, 1 ophthalmologist, and 1

psychiatrist;10psychiatrist;10

House-Senate DifferencesHouse-Senate Differences HouseHouse

435 members; 2 yr 435 members; 2 yr termsterms

Low turnoverLow turnover All 435 elected every All 435 elected every

two yearstwo years Scheduling/rules Scheduling/rules

controlled by majority controlled by majority party with powerful party with powerful Rules Committee Rules Committee ((controls time of debate, controls time of debate, amends., etc)amends., etc)

SenateSenate 100 members; 6 yr 100 members; 6 yr

termsterms 1/3 elected every two 1/3 elected every two

yearsyears Moderate turnoverModerate turnover

Scheduling/rules Scheduling/rules agreed to by majority & agreed to by majority & minority leadersminority leaders

House-Senate DifferencesHouse-Senate Differences

HOUSEHOUSE SENATESENATE

Minimum ageMinimum age 25 years25 years 30 years30 years

U.S. CitizenshipU.S. Citizenship At least 7 yearsAt least 7 years At least 9 yearsAt least 9 years

Length of termLength of term 2 years2 years 6 years6 years

Number per stateNumber per state Depends on population: Depends on population: 1 per 30,000 in 17891 per 30,000 in 17891 per 690,000 today1 per 690,000 today

2 per state2 per state

ConstituencyConstituency Tends to be localTends to be local Both local and nationalBoth local and national

House-Senate DifferencesHouse-Senate Differences HouseHouse

Debate limited to 1 Debate limited to 1 hourhour

Emphasizes tax & Emphasizes tax & revenue policyrevenue policy

More formal & More formal & impersonalimpersonal

SenateSenate Unlimited debate Unlimited debate

unless cloture rule unless cloture rule invokedinvoked

Emphasizes foreign Emphasizes foreign policypolicy

More informal & More informal & personalpersonal

House of RepresentativesHouse of RepresentativesMembershipMembership

The number of Representatives each state can The number of Representatives each state can elect is based on the size of that state’s elect is based on the size of that state’s population.population.

Each state has Each state has at least 1at least 1 Representative. Representative. 435435 total Representatives. total Representatives. Every 10 years, after the census is taken, Every 10 years, after the census is taken,

Congress determines how the seats in the Congress determines how the seats in the House are to be House are to be apportionedapportioned, or distributed., or distributed.

Party LeadershipParty Leadership

Bicameral Democratic Bicameral Democratic LeadershipLeadership

110th Congress110th Congress

Senate Republican Senate Republican LeadershipLeadership

110th Congress110th Congress

HOUSE LEADERSHIP

Speaker (majority party)

Democrats:• Majority Leader• Majority Whip• Chairman of the

Caucus• Steering & Policy

Committee• Democratic

Congressional Campaign Committee

HOUSE LEADERSHIP

Republicans:• Minority Leader• Minority Whip• Chairman of

Conference• Policy Committee• Committee on

Committees• National Republican

Congressional Committee

• Research Committee

SENATE LEADERSHIPSENATE LEADERSHIP

President of the Senate (Vice President)

President Pro Tempore (majority party)

Democrats:• Majority Leader• Majority Whip• Chairman of Conference• Policy Committee• Steering Committee• Democratic Senatorial

Campaign CommitteeMajority LeaderHarry Reid (D-NV)

President of the Senate

Joe Biden (D-DE)

SENATE LEADERSHIPSENATE LEADERSHIP

Republicans:• Minority Leader• Minority Whip• Chairman of

Conference• Policy Committee• Committee on

Committees• Republican Senatorial

CommitteeMajority Whip of the SenateDick Durbin (D)

Minority Leader of the SenateMitch McConnell (R)

TrusteeDelegate

Politico

How should members of Congress behave?

CAUCUSES

• Groups (may be bipartisan) meeting to pursue common legislative objectives

• Rivals to parties in policy formulation• Examples: Democratic Study Group, Congressional Black Caucus, Tuesday Lunch Bunch, Human Rights, Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, Out of Iraq Caucus,Rural Caucus, Travel & Tourism Caucus, House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children

"Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition, whilst Congress in its committee-rooms is Congress at work.” - Woodrow Wilson

Legislative Committees:Legislative Committees:

Function and PurposeFunction and Purpose

Legislative Committees:Legislative Committees:Function & PurposeFunction & Purpose

1. Consider bills (a.k.a. “mark-up” bills)

A bill with a member’s mark-up notes

Legislative Committees:Legislative Committees:Function & PurposeFunction & Purpose

2. Maintain oversight of executive agencies

Secretary Donald Rumsfeld testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing re: the Department of Defense Budget (May, 2006)

Legislative Committees:Legislative Committees:Function & PurposeFunction & Purpose

3. Conduct investigations

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Hurricane Katrina (Feb., 2006

Types of CommitteesTypes of CommitteesStanding Committees - permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities• Subcommittees – formed to tackle very specific tasks within the jurisdiction of the full committees

Select or Special Committees - groups appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration

Joint Committees - includes members of both chambers to conduct studies or perform housekeeping tasks

Conference Committee - includes members of House & Senate to work out differences between similar bills

Standing CommitteesStanding Committees

House Standing CommitteesHouse Standing CommitteesAgricultureAppropriationsArmed ServicesBudgetEducation & WorkforceEnergy & CommerceFinancial ServicesGovernment ReformHouse Admin.International Relations

JudiciaryResourcesRulesScienceSmall BusinessStandards of Official Conduct

Transportation & Infrastructure

Veterans AffairsWays & Means

Senate Standing CommitteesAgriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry

AppropriationsArmed ServicesBanking, Housing, & Urban Affairs

BudgetCommerce, Science, Transportation

Energy & Natural Resources

Environment and Public Works

FinanceForeign RelationsGovernmental Affairs

Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

JudiciaryRules and Administration

Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Veterans Affairs

Special, Select Committees

• House Select Committee on Energy Independence & Global Warming

• Senate Select Committee on Ethics

• House & Senate Select Committees on Intelligence

Gen. Michael Hayden is sworn in during a full committee hearing of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee on his nomination to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Joint Committees• Joint Economic Committee• Joint Committee on Printing• Joint Committee on Taxation

Joint Committee Joint Committee on Taxation on Taxation hearinghearing