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Congress Today

Congress Today. How well does the system designed in 1787 serve us today? Is Congress the “supreme” branch? Should it be?. But first. . .some review. Locke: Legislative is “supream branch” because makes laws affecting entire body politics All branches subject to the law

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Congress Today

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  1. Congress Today How well does the system designed in 1787 serve us today? Is Congress the “supreme” branch? Should it be?

  2. But first. . .some review Locke: Legislative is “supream branch” because makes laws affecting entire body politics All branches subject to the law Legislative closest to people; most responsive to people’s will

  3. Virginia Plan • First house elected by people (proportionately) • Plenary legislative power • First house selects second house • Legislature selects President and Courts • Veto power over state legislation • Council of Revision to assure deliberation

  4. Instead of Virginia plan. . . States represented in second house Legislature has no say in selection of President; limited say about federal judges Legislative power limited • All power “herein granted” • Bicameral legislature/successive majorities • Checks by other branches

  5. First Congress the most productive in history • Achievements • Organizational decisions • Overseeing growth of country

  6. Birth of the Nation: The First Federal Congress, 1789-1791 An online exhibit of the documentary history of the most productive Congress in US history.www.gwu.edu/~ffcp/exhibit/ - 10k - Cached - Similar pagesBirth of the Nation: The First Federal Congress 1789-1791 Birth of the Nation: The First Federal Congress 1789-1791 · Next Page. The First Federal Congress: Introduction The Federal Procession in New York, 1788. ...www.gwu.edu/~ffcp/exhibit/p1/ - 6k - Cached - Similar pages

  7. Developments affecting Congress’ power • Bill of Rights • Political parties • Judicial review • Wars and emergencies • Civil War Amendments • Increase in size

  8. Where is power today? Congress? • House • Senate Presidency? Bureaucracy? Supreme Court? States? Media?

  9. What are Congress’ most important functions today? • Enacting legislation? • Constituent casework? • Executive oversight? • Approving nominees? • Other?

  10. Factors affecting Congress’s performance • Executive proposes most legislation • “Pork barrel” • Ethics scandals • Political parties • Money in politics • Internal organization • Others?

  11. How Confident Are Americans in Their Public Institutions? How should confidence be measured? • Public opinion polls? • Blogs? • Voter turnout? • Talk shows?

  12. 2008 Gallup Poll

  13. Group discussion Working in small groups, identify the factors you believe contribute to low public opinion of Congress. Identify a spokesperson to report to the group as a whole.

  14. Center on Congress, Indiana University Established 1999 Non-partisan Extensive programs www.centeroncongress.org

  15. Lee Hamilton Newsletters, Center on Congress Overview • Is This The Congress We Want? • We Can't Wait Much Longer To Fix Congress • Lobbying Murkiness Undermines Our Trust in Congress • Congress Confuses the Public and Itself • Congressional Bickering • Who Lobbies for the Rest of Us? • It's Time for the Public to Fund Congressional Travel • Congress Needs to Invigorate Its Ethics System, Not Weaken It • Why Congress Must Learn To Look Ahead • Broken Budget Process • Congress and Individual Liberties • A Balanced View of Congress • The Money Chase • Tackling the Tough Issues • Is Congress out of Touch? • Congress and the Pork Barrel

  16. GROUP PROPOSALS Working in different small groups, prepare a list of recommendations for large group discussion about Congress. Consider the following possibilities (and any others you think appropriate). . . Identify a spokesperson to report to the group.

  17. What needs to be done? • Nothing—for many reasons! • Internal changes—rules/organization • Public education • Constitutional change

  18. Group debrief • Compare proposals • Discuss strategies for achieving change if change is desirable

  19. CONCLUDING QUESTIONS • Should the Constitution be amended to strengthen or weaken Congress? • Will Congress exercise oversight when it is of the same party as the President? • Can Congress legislate effectively when it is not of the same party as the President? • How can citizen awareness/participation be improved?

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