Chapter 6Chapter 6CongressCongress

The 535The 535

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Section 1: How Congress is Section 1: How Congress is OrganizedOrganized

Bicameral: Two HousesBicameral: Two Houses

I. Requirements I. Requirements (From Article I of (From Article I of Constitution)Constitution)

A. RepresentativeA. Representative1. At least 251. At least 25

2. Resident of US for 7 years2. Resident of US for 7 years

B. SenatorB. Senator1. At least 301. At least 30

2. Resident of US for 9 years2. Resident of US for 9 years

*Both must reside in the state*Both must reside in the state

II. Congressional TermsII. Congressional Terms

A. One Term=Two Sessions (years)A. One Term=Two Sessions (years)1. January through November or December1. January through November or December

2. 1132. 113thth Congress began January 2013 Congress began January 2013a. 1a. 1stst session=Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013 session=Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013

b. 2b. 2ndnd session=Jan. 2014-Dec.2014 session=Jan. 2014-Dec.2014

B. Joint Session: both Senate & House meet; usually happens for president’s State of the Union address

III. House of Representatives III. House of Representatives (lower house) (lower house)

A.A. The number of The number of representatives each state is representatives each state is allowed is based on allowed is based on population (from the census)population (from the census)

B.B. Census: Census: population count population count every 10 yearsevery 10 years

C.C. Congressional District: Congressional District: areas with one areas with one representative elected from representative elected from each districteach district

D.D. Constituents: Constituents: people people representedrepresented

E.E. 435 people (7 from AL)435 people (7 from AL)F.F. Two-year termsTwo-year terms

G. Gerrymandering: G. Gerrymandering: oddly oddly

shaped districts designed to increase voting strength shaped districts designed to increase voting strength for a particular groupfor a particular group

1.1. Named for Named for Elbridge Gerry Elbridge Gerry

2.2. 1812 created new 1812 created new voting district in voting district in Andover, Andover, MassachusettsMassachusetts

3.3. Still happening Still happening today!today!

More GerrymanderingMore Gerrymandering

H. Representative’s H. Representative’s Relationship with ConstituentsRelationship with Constituents

1.1. They focus on concerns of the They focus on concerns of the people of their districtpeople of their district

2.2. HOR is considered closest to the HOR is considered closest to the people & most democratic of the people & most democratic of the two houses of Congresstwo houses of Congress

IV. SenateIV. Senate(upper (upper house)house)

A.A. 100 members (2 per state)100 members (2 per state)B.B. Term: 6 years (staggered):Term: 6 years (staggered):

1.1. Class I: expired 2013Class I: expired 20132.2. Class II: expires 2015Class II: expires 20153.3. Class III: expires 2017Class III: expires 2017

C.C. Staggered Terms: Approx. Staggered Terms: Approx. 1/3 of Senators are up for 1/3 of Senators are up for reelection every 2 yearsreelection every 2 years

D.D. Reason: Ensures stability Reason: Ensures stability (able to continue working on (able to continue working on time-consuming legislation)time-consuming legislation)

E. Majority/Minority PartyE. Majority/Minority Party

1.1. Majority Party: political party in which Majority Party: political party in which more than ½ of the members of the more than ½ of the members of the house (HoR or Senate) belonghouse (HoR or Senate) belong

2.2. Minority Party: other party (has less Minority Party: other party (has less control because they have fewer control because they have fewer people in the house)people in the house)

3.3. *Currently, the Republicans are the *Currently, the Republicans are the Majority Party in the HOR & Majority Party in the HOR & Democrats are the Minority PartyDemocrats are the Minority Party

US Senate 2011US Senate 2011BLUE: DemocratsBLUE: DemocratsRED: RepublicansRED: Republicans

US House of Representatives US House of Representatives 20112011

BLUE: Democrats BLUE: DemocratsRED: Republicans RED: Republicans

V. Major PersonalitiesV. Major Personalities

A. Speaker of the HouseA. Speaker of the House

John Boehner(R, OH)John Boehner(R, OH)

B. PresidentB. President

Joe Biden Joe Biden

(vice president)(vice president)

C. President Pro C. President Pro TemporeTempore

Patrick Leahy (D-Vt)Patrick Leahy (D-Vt)

HOUSE SENATE

VI. Congressional VI. Congressional Leadership Leadership

A. A. House of RepresentativesHouse of RepresentativesSpeaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House: : Level of Power: has more power than any other in Level of Power: has more power than any other in

CongressCongress(Nominated by majority party, but wins through (Nominated by majority party, but wins through

vote by entire House.)vote by entire House.)Responsibilities:Responsibilities: Presides over HousePresides over House

*Decides what bills will be debated and when*Decides what bills will be debated and when““The power of the speaker of the House is the The power of the speaker of the House is the

power of scheduling.” –Tip O’Neill (former power of scheduling.” –Tip O’Neill (former speaker)speaker)

Assigns bills to committeesAssigns bills to committees Appoints members to committeesAppoints members to committees

VI. Congressional VI. Congressional Leadership Leadership

B. B. SenateSenate

1. President Pro Tempore:1. President Pro Tempore: usually acts as usually acts as chairperson; not as powerful as Speaker (usually chairperson; not as powerful as Speaker (usually the senior senator for majority party)the senior senator for majority party)

““Pro Tempore” means for the time being because Pro Tempore” means for the time being because this position substitutes for the Vice President if this position substitutes for the Vice President if he is unable to be therehe is unable to be there

2. President:2. President: (Vice President) presiding officer; (Vice President) presiding officer; usually only appears for ceremonies or to break usually only appears for ceremonies or to break tie votestie votes

2323

BRAIN BRAIN BREAKBREAKJack fell down and broke his crown

And Jill came tumbling after.Up got Jack, and home did trot As fast as he could caperHe went to bed and bound his headWith vinegar and brown paper.

DID YOU KNOW?The roots of this child's nursery rhyme is in France and the Jack and Jill referred to are Louis XVI who was beheaded [lost his crown] followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette [who came tumbling after]. The words and lyrics were made more palatable for the nursery by giving it a happy ending and has further been altered by the passage of time. The actual beheadings occurred in 1793. The first publication date for the lyrics of this nursery rhyme is 1795 which tie-in with the history and origins.

C. Floor Leaders (in both C. Floor Leaders (in both houses)houses)

Also called: Majority Leader/Minority Also called: Majority Leader/Minority LeaderLeaderMain Responsibility: Make sure laws Main Responsibility: Make sure laws passed are in the best interest of the passed are in the best interest of the partyparty

Job Descriptions:Job Descriptions:

1.1. Speak for party on issuesSpeak for party on issues

2.2. Try to sway votesTry to sway votes

3.3. Push bills through to be passedPush bills through to be passed

D. Whips (in both houses)D. Whips (in both houses)

Job Description: Stand in for floor Job Description: Stand in for floor leaders; keep track of where party leaders; keep track of where party leaders stand on certain issues & leaders stand on certain issues & round up fellow round up fellow senators/representatives for key senators/representatives for key votesvotes

Senate Party LeadersSenate Party LeadersMajority Leader

Harry Reid

(D), Nevada

Minority Leader

Mitch McConnell

(R), Kentucky

Democratic Whip

Richard Durbin

(D), Illinois

Republican Whip

John Kyl

(R), Arizona

House Party LeadersHouse Party LeadersMajority Leader

Eric Cantor

(R), Virginia

Minority Leader

Nancy Pelosi

(D), California

Democratic Whip

Steny Hoyer

(D), Maryland

Republican Whip

Kevin McCarthy

(R), California

Committees: “Little Committees: “Little Legislatures”Legislatures”

Turn to PAGE 142Turn to PAGE 142

Senate Senate Judiciary Judiciary

CommitteCommitteee

VII. Types of CommitteesVII. Types of Committees

A. Standing Committee vs. Select CommitteeA. Standing Committee vs. Select Committee1.1. Standing Committee: permanent committees Standing Committee: permanent committees

that continue to work from session to sessionthat continue to work from session to session

2.2. Select Committee: created to do a special job Select Committee: created to do a special job for a limited time (e.g. 911 Committee)for a limited time (e.g. 911 Committee)

3. # of standing committees in House: 193. # of standing committees in House: 19

4. # of standing committees in Senate: 164. # of standing committees in Senate: 16

B. Other types of B. Other types of committeescommittees

1. Joint Committee: include members 1. Joint Committee: include members of both housesof both houses– Examples?Examples?

2. Conference Committee: temporary 2. Conference Committee: temporary committees that help House & committees that help House & Senate agree on a bill (come up with Senate agree on a bill (come up with compromise)compromise)

Factors influencing committee Factors influencing committee assignmentsassignments

1. Made by leaders of political parties1. Made by leaders of political parties

2. Seniority: the longer a congressman 2. Seniority: the longer a congressman has been in office, the better has been in office, the better assignment he/she will receiveassignment he/she will receive

C. Committee AssignmentsC. Committee Assignments

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Section 2: Powers of CongressSection 2: Powers of Congress

I. Powers of CongressI. Powers of Congress(From Article I of Constitution)(From Article I of Constitution)

A.A. To levy and collect taxes, duties, To levy and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises.imposts, and excises.

B.B. To borrow money.To borrow money.C.C. To regulate commerce with To regulate commerce with

foreign nations, among the foreign nations, among the states, and with Indian tribes.states, and with Indian tribes.

D.D. To establish rules for To establish rules for naturalization (that is, becoming naturalization (that is, becoming a citizen) and bankruptcy.a citizen) and bankruptcy.

E. To coin money, set its value, and E. To coin money, set its value, and punish counterfeiting.punish counterfeiting.

F. To fix the standard of weights and F. To fix the standard of weights and measures.measures.

G. To establish a post office and post G. To establish a post office and post roads.roads.

H. To issue patents and copyrights to H. To issue patents and copyrights to inventors and authors.inventors and authors.

I. To create courts inferior to (that is, I. To create courts inferior to (that is, below) the Supreme Court.below) the Supreme Court.

J. J. To define and punish piracies, To define and punish piracies, felonies on the high seas, and felonies on the high seas, and crimes against the law of nations. crimes against the law of nations. To declare war.To declare war.

K. To raise and support an army K. To raise and support an army and navy and make rules for their and navy and make rules for their governance.governance.

L. To provide for a militia (reserving L. To provide for a militia (reserving to the states the right to appoint to the states the right to appoint militia officers and to train the militia officers and to train the militia under congressional rule).militia under congressional rule).

M. To exercise exclusive legislative powers M. To exercise exclusive legislative powers over the seat of government (that is, the over the seat of government (that is, the District of Columbia) and over places District of Columbia) and over places purchased to be federal facilities (forts, purchased to be federal facilities (forts, arsenals, dockyards, and "other needful arsenals, dockyards, and "other needful buildings.")buildings.")

N. To "make all laws which shall be N. To "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for the carrying into necessary and proper for the carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States." in the government of the United States."

I. Powers of CongressI. Powers of CongressO. ExpressedO. Expressed vs. vs. ImpliedImplied

1.1.Expressed/Enumerated: Expressed/Enumerated: Powers listed specifically in Powers listed specifically in the Constitutionthe Constitution

2.2.Implied: Powers not listed in Implied: Powers not listed in the Constitution specifically, the Constitution specifically, but guaranteed by the but guaranteed by the “Elastic” or “Necessary & “Elastic” or “Necessary & Proper” ClauseProper” Clause

P. Example of Implied Power:Section 8, Clause 18 “Elastic Clause”“to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution...powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States." Ex. Law to limit air/water pollution based on power to regulate interstate commerceEx. that was challenged by SC: Violence Against Women Act gave women right to sue attackers in federal court was declared unconstitutional in US v. Morrison, 2000

II. Selected Legislative Powers II. Selected Legislative Powers of Congressof Congress

A.A. Money PowersMoney Powers1.1. Levy and collect taxesLevy and collect taxes2.2. Borrow moneyBorrow money3.3. Coin, or create moneyCoin, or create money

B.B. Commerce PowersCommerce Powers– Regulate foreign & interstate (between states) tradeRegulate foreign & interstate (between states) trade

C.C. Military & Foreign PowersMilitary & Foreign Powers1.1. Declare warDeclare war2.2. Raise, support and regulate an army & navyRaise, support and regulate an army & navy

D.D. Other Legislative PowersOther Legislative Powers1.1. Establish laws of naturalizationEstablish laws of naturalization2.2. Establish post officesEstablish post offices3.3. Provide for laws necessary and proper for carrying out Provide for laws necessary and proper for carrying out

other listed powers (necessary and proper clause)other listed powers (necessary and proper clause)

4040

BRAIN BREAK

•"We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur." 9/22/97

•"Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children."

•"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.“

•"[It's] time for the human race to enter the solar system.“

•"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared.'" 12/6/93

•"I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.“

•"The future will be better tomorrow.“

•"We're going to have the best-educated American people in the world." 9/21/97

FUNNY QUOTES BY AL GORE

III. Declaring WarIII. Declaring WarA.A. Congress has power to declare war, but President Congress has power to declare war, but President

often sends troops into action without this often sends troops into action without this declarationdeclarationA.A. Examples: Korea, Vietnam, IraqExamples: Korea, Vietnam, Iraq

B.B. In 1973 Congress passed War Powers Act during In 1973 Congress passed War Powers Act during Vietnam War which required approval of Vietnam War which required approval of Congress for any overseas troop deployment Congress for any overseas troop deployment longer than 90 dayslonger than 90 days

C.C. Afterward, Congress can issue joint resolution, an Afterward, Congress can issue joint resolution, an official statement from both houses, to authorize official statement from both houses, to authorize military actionmilitary action– Example: Oct. 2002 Congress used joint Example: Oct. 2002 Congress used joint

resolution to authorize use of troops in Iraqresolution to authorize use of troops in Iraq

IV. Non-Legislative Powers of IV. Non-Legislative Powers of Congress (Checks Other Congress (Checks Other

Branches)Branches)A.A. Oversight: oversees other agencies to make Oversight: oversees other agencies to make

sure they carry out laws sure they carry out laws

B.B. Confirmation: Senate confirms key officials Confirmation: Senate confirms key officials appointed by presidentappointed by president

C.C. Impeachment: try a high ranking officialImpeachment: try a high ranking official

D.D. Ratification: Senate must ratify all treatiesRatification: Senate must ratify all treaties

E.E. Override: can override president’s veto (2/3 Override: can override president’s veto (2/3 vote)vote)

F.F. Amendment: can propose an amendment to Amendment: can propose an amendment to Constitution; can use this power to change Constitution; can use this power to change Constitution, even if it means reversing a Constitution, even if it means reversing a ruling made by Supreme Courtruling made by Supreme Court

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Section 3: Representing the Section 3: Representing the PeoplePeople

I. Requirements I. Requirements (From Article I of (From Article I of Constitution)Constitution)

A.A. RepresentativeRepresentative1. At least 251. At least 25

2. Resident of US for 7 years2. Resident of US for 7 years

B.B. SenatorSenator1. At least 301. At least 30

2. Resident of US for 9 years2. Resident of US for 9 years

3. Reside in the state3. Reside in the state

II. How much do they get II. How much do they get paid?paid?

1789-1815 -- $6.00 per diem 1789-1815 -- $6.00 per diem 1815-1817 -- $1,500 per annum 1815-1817 -- $1,500 per annum 1817-1855 -- $8.00 per diem 1817-1855 -- $8.00 per diem

2004 -- $158,100 per annum2004 -- $158,100 per annum 2005 -- $162,100 per annum2005 -- $162,100 per annum 2006 -- $165,200 per annum2006 -- $165,200 per annum

III. PERKS!III. PERKS!

Franking PrivilegesFranking Privileges- free postage- free postage Low-cost InsuranceLow-cost Insurance Use of gyms, special restaurants and Use of gyms, special restaurants and

medical clinicmedical clinic Congressional Staff (assist Congressional Staff (assist

congressmen/women)congressmen/women)– Arrange meetingsArrange meetings– Deal with reporters & Deal with reporters & lobbyists: people hired lobbyists: people hired

by special groups to influence government by special groups to influence government decision makersdecision makers

– Reelection supportReelection support

IV. Congressional SupportsIV. Congressional Supports

Committee Staff (assist committees)Committee Staff (assist committees)– Draft bills, gather information, organize Draft bills, gather information, organize

hearings, negotiate with lobbyists, etc.hearings, negotiate with lobbyists, etc. Support ServicesSupport Services

– Examples: Congressional Research Examples: Congressional Research Service, General Accounting Office, etc. Service, General Accounting Office, etc.

V. Three Major Roles of V. Three Major Roles of CongressmenCongressmen

A.A. LawmakingLawmaking

B.B. Casework Casework (80,000 e-mails/day!)(80,000 e-mails/day!)

C.C. Representing District/StateRepresenting District/State– Pork-barrel projects: projects that Pork-barrel projects: projects that

only benefit the congressman’s only benefit the congressman’s state or districtstate or district

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Section 4: How a Bill Becomes Section 4: How a Bill Becomes LawLaw

I. ResolutionsI. Resolutions

Formal statements expressing Formal statements expressing opinions or decisions; many don’t opinions or decisions; many don’t become laws.become laws.

Joint Resolutions: Joint Resolutions: may become laws if may become laws if signed by the president; used to signed by the president; used to propose amendments, designate propose amendments, designate money to special purposes, correct money to special purposes, correct errors in bills previously passederrors in bills previously passed

II. Categories of BillsII. Categories of Bills

A.A. Private:Private: dealing with people/usually dealing with people/usually people’s claims against the people’s claims against the governmentgovernment

B.B. Public:Public: dealing with entire dealing with entire nation/general matters such as nation/general matters such as taxation, civil rights, terrorism, etc.taxation, civil rights, terrorism, etc.– May be debated for months and receive May be debated for months and receive

a lot of media coveragea lot of media coverage

III. Types of BillsIII. Types of Bills

A. Authorization-A. Authorization-creates the creates the programprogram– Example: Creation of Example: Creation of

Space ProgramSpace Program

B. Appropriation-B. Appropriation-provides the money provides the money for the billfor the bill– Example: Funds for Example: Funds for

Space ProgramSpace ProgramBottom line: Must have $!Bottom line: Must have $!

IV. Enacting LawsIV. Enacting Laws

A.A. A law begins as a bill introduced A law begins as a bill introduced either in the Senate or the Houseeither in the Senate or the House– If the bill deals with money/taxes, it If the bill deals with money/taxes, it

must begin in the House. This gives the must begin in the House. This gives the House the “power of the purse.”House the “power of the purse.”

B.B. Bills must be passed in the same Bills must be passed in the same format by both houses before going format by both houses before going to the President to be passed into to the President to be passed into lawlaw

V. How a bill becomes lawV. How a bill becomes law

Go to page 160Go to page 160 All money bills must begin in All money bills must begin in

HOUSEHOUSE

A. Rep/Sen introduces (in House or Senate)A. Rep/Sen introduces (in House or Senate)B. Given House or Senate bill numberB. Given House or Senate bill number (e.g. H.R. 3200 (“Obamacare”) or S. 2501)(e.g. H.R. 3200 (“Obamacare”) or S. 2501)

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr3200ih/pdf/BILLS-111hr3200ih.pdf

C. Referred to C. Referred to committee/subcommitteecommittee/subcommitteeD. If passed, reported to House/Senate by D. If passed, reported to House/Senate by

committeecommittee– (If in HOR, (If in HOR, House Rules CommitteeHouse Rules Committee sets rules for sets rules for

debate)debate)

E. Floor DebateE. Floor DebateF. If passed, sent to F. If passed, sent to House/Senate (second House/Senate (second

house)house)– (May be revised by Conference Committee if (May be revised by Conference Committee if

not passed by one or both houses)not passed by one or both houses)

G. If passed by both, sent to G. If passed by both, sent to PresidentPresident to to signsign

H. If vetoed by H. If vetoed by PresidentPresident, must be passed by , must be passed by 2/3 majority in 2/3 majority in bothboth houses to become a houses to become a lawlaw

Quick Caveat!Quick Caveat!

BILL MUST BE PASSED IN IDENTICAL BILL MUST BE PASSED IN IDENTICAL FORM BY BOTH HOUSES!FORM BY BOTH HOUSES!

VI. A few more terms…VI. A few more terms…

A.A. Riders: completely unrelated Riders: completely unrelated amendments tacked onto a bill sent amendments tacked onto a bill sent to floorto floor

B.B. Filibuster: talking a bill to death Filibuster: talking a bill to death (only possible in Senate)(only possible in Senate)

C.C. Cloture: ending a filibuster with 3/5 Cloture: ending a filibuster with 3/5 member consentmember consent

VII. PRESIDENTIAL VETOINGVII. PRESIDENTIAL VETOING

A. If the president doesn’t approve of the bill, A. If the president doesn’t approve of the bill, he/she can reject it through a he/she can reject it through a veto.veto.

B. TWO TYPES OF VETOESB. TWO TYPES OF VETOES

1. Veto: President doesn’t sign, may be 1. Veto: President doesn’t sign, may be passed by 2/3 of both houses (If not, bill passed by 2/3 of both houses (If not, bill dies.)dies.)

2. Pocket Veto: After Congress has 2. Pocket Veto: After Congress has adjourned, president doesn’t sign…bill dies.adjourned, president doesn’t sign…bill dies.