INSTITUTIONS UNIT

1. INSTITUTIONS UNIT Congress Lecture Guide

2. Evolution over Time • Founders created bicameral legislature to avoid concentration of power and achieve balance between large and small states • Expected Congress to be dominant institution-- • Most policy conflicts played out in Congress slavery, new states, tariffs.

3. House of Reps Over Time • Thru most of 19th century-- power in House of Reps rested with Speaker -- committee chairs, agenda, limits on who could speak • Early 20th century-- power shifted to party caucuses, rules committee, and standing committee chairmen • 60's-70's Democrats weakened power of committee chairmen who were blocking Civil Rights legislation-- strengthened sub-committees to make House more democratic • 90's-- return to powerful Speaker because of complaints about ineffective Congress

4. Senate Over Time • No need for Rules Committee because of smaller size • Before 1913-- Senators selected by state legislature and were required to please state party leaders and funnel pork barrel back to state • 17th Am resulted in ability to please the electorate rather than the party bosses • Filibuster gives a single Senator the power to block any legislation • Rule 22 created cloture, which allows a vote to limit debate if 60 Senators agree

5. Composition • Though members are typically middle-aged, white, Protestant, male, lawyers, recently House has become less male and less white • Senate slower to change • Members of color may increase because of creation of "safe districts" • Republican control has reduced minority influence

6. Incumbency • Prior to 50's, many only served 1 term • Now, membership in Congress has become a career • House incumbency advantage created by safe districts where one party has a clear advantage-- and many members run unopposed • Senate incumbency less apparent • Voters support incumbents because of media coverage, name recognition, franking, credit claimed for projects and individual case help

7. Party • Dems controlled both houses 30's to 62 • I994 voters ousted Dems because of deficits, scandals, and bickering w/ popular President (sound familiar?) • Conservative coalition of Southern Dems and Republicans continue to have the major influence on policy that comes out of Congress

8. Types of Representation • (What Determines Vote?) • Representational view: vote determined by constituents wishes-- Where voter's voice is clear, and vote will get positive attention • Used mostly re: issues of civil rights and social welfare-- less w/ foreign policy issues • Organizational: vote determined by party leaders and respected colleagues (constituency interests not at stake) • Attitudinal: Conscience or ideology determines vote

9. Organization of Senate by Party Majority Leader: elected by party members--schedules business-- influential in selecting committee chairmen and committee assignments Majority Whip: Asst to Maj Leader-- pressures party members to vote party line Minority Leader and Minority Whip: Elected by party-- works w/ Maj Leader President Pro Tempore: ceremonial leader-- member of majority w/ most seniority Standing Committee Chairmen: appt by leadership -- 19 subject area committees-- ideology, region and expertise are considerations-- schedules and kills bills

10. Organization of House by Party • Speaker: Leads majority party--presides over the House--recognition, rules on motions, assigns bills to committees, schedules votes, appts members to special/select committees • Majority Leader and Minority Leaders: floor leaders • Standing Committee Chm: appt by leadership • House Rules Committee: must approve all bills before they can be submitted for debate and vote on the floor-- usually members of party leadership– limits time for debates– may limit amendments

11. Changes over Time • Since 90's no committee chairman can serve for more than 6 years • Seniority is less a standard for selecting chairmen • Senate less party centered and leader oriented • Caucuses are beginning to rival parties in policy formulation-- within and between two parties

12. Types of Caucuses • TYPES OF CAUCUSES • Intra party: share same ideology (ex. Conservative Opportunity Society) • Personal Interest: share interest in issue (ex. Human Rights) • Constituency Concerns: similar constituencies (ex. Congressional Black Caucus)

13. Committee Org in Congress Purposes to consider bills, oversight of bureaucracy, and conduct investigations TYPES • Standing Committees--subject area committees to consider pros/cons of bills ex. Judiciary Committee • Select Committees--limited time and purposes • ex. Fed Response to Hurricane Katrina • Joint Committees--Usually conference committees if bills have been • amended from one house to the next-- work out compromise and • send back to both houses for a re-vote. Majority party has majority of seats, usually similar to ratio of party representation in that house Chairs-- most senior members of committee Most important committees in House -- Rules and Ways and Means (tax legislation)

14. Staff Organization in Congress Rise to prominence 20th century • One of main jobs: constituent service • 1/3 of staff work at district office-- all Reps and Sens have at least one district office in state • Legislative function--drafting bills, organizing hearings, working w/ SIG's, • Most committees have additional staff • All members of Congress have become very dependent upon advise and work of staff

15. Staff Agencies in Congress Congressional Research Service-- part of Library of Congress-- gathers data pro and against bills and tracks status of bills • General Accountability Office--audits $$ spend by Exec Depts, investigates agencies and policies and makes recommendations • Congressional Budget Office-- advice about econ effects of spending programs -- and info about costs of proposals