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Chapter 12

Chapter 12. Congress. Congress. House and Senate: Differences in Representation. Bicameral system: two chambers Result of the Connecticut Compromise Each state has two senators. Each state’s number of House representatives is determined by state population.

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Chapter 12

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  1. Chapter 12 Congress

  2. Congress

  3. House and Senate:Differences in Representation • Bicameral system: two chambers • Result of the Connecticut Compromise • Each state has two senators. • Each state’s number of House representatives is determined by state population. • Predicated on different representation models • Senate: states, with longer terms • House: districts, with shorter terms

  4. House and Senate: Differences in Representation • Senate: 100 senators • Since 1913, directly elected by voters statewide • Six-year terms • Two per state (fixed) • House of Representatives: 435 members • Elected by districts • Two-year terms • Population determines number per state (varies).

  5. House and Senate: Differences in Representation

  6. House and Senate: Differences in Representation • Congressional districts can be relatively homogeneous by many standards. • Ideal for organized interests claiming to represent constituents • Members tend to specialize in one committee. • States are far more heterogeneous. • Senators have to be generalists. • More open to a wider array of interests

  7. House and Senate: Differences in Representation • How representatives “represent”: • Sociological representation: shares demographic traits, experiences, and interests with constituents • Agency representation: representative has electoral incentive to act on constituent interests.

  8. Women, African Americans, andLatinos in Congress (1971–2008) Sociological Representation

  9. Who are the Members of Congress? CHAPTER 12

  10. Gender 49% U.S. Pop. 51% 83% House 17% 83% Senate 17% Male Female U.S. Population Key Senate House of Representatives SOURCE: Jennifer E. Manning, “Membership of the 112th Congress: A Profile,” CRS Report R41647, March 1, 2011, www.senate.gov (accessed 8/15/12).

  11. Race U.S. Pop. 64% House 82% Senate 96% White Black Hispanic Asian/Pacific Native American U.S. Population Key 13% 10% 0% 16% 7% 2% 5% 3% 2% 1% .002% 0% Senate House of Representatives SOURCE: Jennifer E. Manning, “Membership of the 112th Congress: A Profile,” CRS Report R41647, March 1, 2011, www.senate.gov (accessed 8/15/12).

  12. 21% 4% 4% All Others Religion U.S. Pop. 51% House 57% Senate 56% Protestant U.S. Population Key 24% 30% 24% Catholic 2% 2% 5% Mormon 2% 6% 12% Jewish Senate House of Representatives SOURCE: Jennifer E. Manning, “Membership of the 112th Congress: A Profile,” CRS Report R41647, March 1, 2011, www.senate.gov (accessed 8/15/12).

  13. 2% 38% 55% 18% 26% 24% Professional/ law degree Bachelor’s degree 58% 8% 1% High school grad. Education U.S. Pop. 15% House 0 Senate 0 < High school 8% 28% 20% Other advanced degree U.S. Population Key Senate House of Representatives SOURCE: Jennifer E. Manning, “Membership of the 112th Congress: A Profile,” CRS Report R41647, March 1, 2011, www.senate.gov (accessed 8/15/12).

  14. Average Age U.S. Pop. 37 House 57 Senate 62 SOURCE: Jennifer E. Manning, “Membership of the 112th Congress: A Profile,” CRS Report R41647, March 1, 2011, www.senate.gov (accessed 8/15/12).

  15. The Electoral Connection • Who gets elected? • Who decides to run • Incumbency advantage • Districting and gerrymandering issues

  16. The Electoral Connection • Who runs? • Candidates must “self select” to run. • Some encouraged by parties more than others. • Strong candidate qualities: • Good name recognition • Success in prior elected offices • Ability to raise funds • Willingness to campaign • Ability to reach out to voters

  17. The Electoral Connection • Incumbency advantage • Members of Congress have an array of tools to keep them in office. • Constituency services • Ranking privilege • Name recognition and title • Pork-barrel spending for district • Otherwise strong potential challengers do not run

  18. The Electoral Connection • Direct patronage • Pork-barrel spending • Earmarks • Patronage • Some local and state elected officials have jobs to offer to constituents. • Constituent services • Private bills

  19. The Legislator’s Dilemma • Delegate or trustee? • What should a legislator do when she disagrees with her constituents about an important issue? • She may know more about the issue than her constituents, and if they knew as much, they may also think differently.

  20. Public Opinion Poll Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job? • Strongly approve • Approve • Disapprove • Strongly disapprove

  21. Public Opinion Poll Do you approve or disapprove of the way your member of Congress is handling his or her job? • Strongly approve • Approve • Disapprove • Strongly disapprove

  22. Public Opinion Poll Do you believe we should have term limits for members of Congress? • Yes • No

  23. Public Opinion Poll Do you believe elected officials should be responsible for drawing congressional districts? • Yes • No

  24. Public Opinion Poll Do you think it is important that members of Congress reflect national economic demographics? • Yes • No

  25. Public Opinion Poll Do you think it is important that members of Congress reflect national gender demographics? • Yes • No

  26. Public Opinion Poll When members of Congress cast a vote, which of the following factors should most influence their decision? • The interests of the country as a whole • The interests of their district or state

  27. Public Opinion Poll When a member of Congress casts a vote, which of the following factors should most influence his decision? • Constituents’ preferences • The president’s preferences • The member’s party leadership preferences • The member’s own ideology

  28. Chapter 12: Congress • Quizzes • Flashcards • Outlines • Exercises wwnorton.com/we-the-people

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