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Explore the importance of bicameralism, compromise, and checks and balances in Congress. Learn about congressional reapportionment and redistricting, the personal and political backgrounds of Congress members, and the power dynamics in leadership. Discover the different types of committees and their roles in the legislative process. Understand how a bill becomes law through the Congress.
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Why Bicameralism? • Compromise • Checks & Balances
Congressional Reapportionment & Redistricting • Reapportionment – The reallocation of the number of representatives each state has in the HR
Why is it important? • 1. increases or decreases the number of seats • 2. more Rep’s more influence • 3. electoral votes
Redistricting – the drawing/redrawing of congressional district lines • Gerrymandering • Why? • To enhance political party strength • Protect incumbents
Personal & Political Backgrounds • WASP • Mid 50’s (middle-aged) • Married w/ children
Table 11.1: Blacks, Hispanics, and Women in Congress, 1971-2002
Many were lawyers • Held previous positions in government • Many make careers out of office
Do members represent their voters? • Demographically: No • Republican members more conservative than avg. Americans • Democrat members more liberal than avg. Americans • Yes: If they want to get elected
Congressional Elections • Incumbents usually win • Why? • Advertising – name recognition • Credit Claiming - Pork Barrel & casework • Safe districts - Gerrymandering
Table 11.2: Incumbents in Congress Reelected by 60 Percent or More
Figure 11.2: Percentage of Incumbents Reelected to Congress • Source: Harold W. Stanley and Richard G. Niemi, Vital Statistics on American Politics, 1999-2000 (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2000), table 1-18.
Job Benefits • Power • Pay $162,000 YR & Retirement • Office space • Congressional Staff • Travel allowances & Franking Privileges
Powers of Congress • Legislative • examples include: to collect taxes, borrow money, to declare war, and to “make all laws necessary and proper”
Non-legislative powers • oversight of the executive branch • appointments • impeachment
Essay Practice # 1 • A. Discuss two reasons why the framers created a bicameral legislature • B. Identify one power unique to the House of Representatives and explain why the framers gave the House that power • C. Identify one power unique to the Senate and explain why the framers gave the Senate that power.
House of Representatives • Speaker of the House- Boehner • 1. Presides over the House • 2. Appoints select & conference committees • 3. Appoints the rules committee
4. Assigns bills to committees • 5. Second in line for the presidency
Majority & Minority Leader • 1. Partisan position picked by individual parties • 2. Floor leader & legislative strategist • Majority – Cantor • Minority - Pelosi
Party Whips • 1. Assistant floor leader • 2. Inform party leaders on the “mood” of the House • 3. Keep nose count on important votes
Senate • Vice President - Biden • 1. President of the Senate • 2. Presides over the Senate • 3. Votes in case of tie
President pro Tempore • 1. Ceremonial job • 2. Presides when the VP is absent • 3. Third in line for the presidency after the Speaker – • Dan Inouye
Majority Leader • 1. True leader in the Senate • 2. Recognized first for all debates • 3. True leader of the Majority party • Majority – Reid • Minority - McConnell
Standing Committee • Formed to handle bills in different policy areas • 2-3 committees and 4-7 subcommittees per member
Joint Committees • Made up of members of both houses to meet about a specific issue and report back their findings – Example - Library of Congress
Select Committees • Temporary - set up to study specific issues
Conference Committees • Temporary • Members from both houses • hammer out differences in a bill
Caucuses • Associations of members of Congress created to advocate on behalf of an ideology, constituency, or regional and economic interest • Types- Intraparty, Personal interest, Constituency concerns
