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POL S 202: Intro to American Politics

POL S 202: Intro to American Politics. “The Congress” Week 7: May 13, 2010. American Politics in the News…. Interesting News Stories: 1. FBI arrests 3 in NYC terror probe 2. Congress to consider ban on offshore oil rigs in West Coast 3. AZ governor signs law banning ethnic studies in K-12.

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POL S 202: Intro to American Politics

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  1. POL S 202: Intro to American Politics “The Congress” Week 7: May 13, 2010

  2. American Politics in the News… Interesting News Stories: 1. FBI arrests 3 in NYC terror probe 2. Congress to consider ban on offshore oil rigs in West Coast 3. AZ governor signs law banning ethnic studies in K-12

  3. Overview of the Congress House Senate Minimum Age 25 30 Citizenship 7 years 9 years Term length 2 years 6 years Representation population 2 per 1789 1 per 30,000 state 2000 1 per 650,000 Constituency District State Local National

  4. Electing the Congress • Congress, or legislative branch consists of two branches (bi-cameral) • Senate / 100 seats / Upper House • House of Representatives / 435 seats / Lower • House – 435 seats up for re-election every two years – can change rapidly • Senate – 1/3 of the seats up for re-election every two years – changes slowly

  5. The CongressWashington, D.C.

  6. The 2006 House Elections Stayed Republican Stayed Democrat Switched Rep to Dem

  7. The 2008 House Elections Stayed Republican Stayed Democrat Switched Rep to Dem Switched Dem to Rep

  8. Changes 109th – 111th Congress 109th Cng. 110th Cng. 111th Cng. 2005-06 2007-08 2009-10 House Dem – 202 233 257 +52 Rep – 232 202 178 Senate Dem – 45 51 60 +15 Rep – 55 49 40

  9. Democrat Republican

  10. Controlling the Congress • Why is control of the Congress important? • Provides symbolic power • Majority party names committee chairs • Majority party has majority on committees • Set legislative agenda • Set rules on debate / amendments • Pass laws (which benefit their constituents) • Much easier to win re-election

  11. Does Congress represent us • Composition of the 111th Congress: House Senate Men 358 83 Women 77 17 White 359 96 Black 42 1 Latino 27 1 Asian 6 2 Native Am. 1 0 Muslim 2 0 Rich 435 100

  12. Does Congress represent us • Total Representation 1971 – 2010 92nd Cong 111th Cong 1971 2010 Men 522 441 Women 13 94 White 515 455 Black 13 43 Latino 7 28 Asian 2 8

  13. The U.S. Constitution and the Role of the Congress Article I, Sec. 1: “All Legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress. . .” Article I, Sec. 2: “The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People…” Article I, Sec. 8: “The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes…” Article I, Sec. 3, with Amendment XVII: “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof,…”

  14. Process Box 5.2 top

  15. What Does Congress Do? • During the 110th Congress (2007 – 2008) • 7,335 bills introduced in the House • 3,724 + bills introduced in the Senate • 442 bills passed and signed into law (4%) Expectations for 111th Congress? • Democratic President vs. Democratic Congress – will there be more bills? Source: http://assets.sunlightlabs.com/billvisualization/index.html

  16. What is Pork Barrel? • Pork Barrel: appropriations made by legislative bodies for local projects that are often not needed but that are created to help local representatives win reelection in their home districts • In 2009 there were 11,286 appropriations included in appropriations bills, worth $19 billion

  17. Washington State Representatives FY 2008 Earmarks by members of Congress in WA Rep. Name Party Solo $$$ Total $$$

  18. What are earmarks? • $13,500,000 for World Toilet Summit • $6,435,000 for wood utilization research • $3,000,000 Animal waste management lab • $1,300,000 Alaskan berry farming research • $1,000,000 for waterfree urinal R&D • $550,000 for Museum of Glass in Tacoma • $500,000 for Sparta Teapot Museum • Washington State estimate: $250,000,000 More here: www.opensecrets.org/politicians/earmarks.php

  19. For Friday Directed Study • Where are members of Congress allocating your tax dollars to? • Bring to quiz section next Weds • Download a list of earmarks for members of Congress from WA • Examine the list and highlight one or two that seem especially egregious Data is here: www.opensecrets.org/politicians/earmarks.php

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