CONGRESS

Overview of CongressI. Terms and Sessions

a) Terms last 2 years

b) Begins January 3 of every odd-numbered year

c) Numbered Consecutively (11-13= 112th)

d) Adjournment = end of term (both houses must agree)

e) Two sessions per term/ periodic recesses

Overview of Congress

II. Bicameralism = Two houses

A. House of Reps = closer to people• Elected by the people• Smaller districts (Michael C. Burgess)• 2 year term • Entire body elected every 2 years• Revenue bills must originate in the house

Overview of CongressII. Bicameralism = Two housesB. Senate designed to be removed from the

people• Originally elected by state legislatures• Elected on an at large basis• 6 year terms• 1/3 up for election every 2 years = more

continuity and stability

Overview of Congress

III. House of Representatives

A. Size• Determined by congress (435 since 1911)• Elected by districts• Population of state determines # of Reps

(increase in Sun Belts decrease in Frost Belt)

Overview of Congress

III. House of Representatives

B. Fixed terms• Two years/ entire body up for re-election• Term limits ruled unconstitutional in US Term

Limits v. Thornton (added a qualification)

C. Qualifications• 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, residency in

state

Overview of Congress

IV. Senate

A. Size: 100 members

B. Term: 6 years

C. Qualifications: 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of state

Overview of CongressV. Compensation

A. Members set own salary (27th amendment = raise takes effect next term)

B. Perks: travel allowance, staff, office space, franking privilege, insurance

C. Legislative immunity

D. Cannot be arrested or detained while going to or from a session of Congress

Evolution of CongressI. Founders Intentions

A. Feared excessive power in single institution

B. Fear of Mob rule

C. Concern about manner of representation

D. Belief that Congress would be dominant branch of government

Evolution of Congress

CENTRALIZATION

1. Strong central leadership

2. Restrictions on debate

3. Few opportunities to stall

4. Minimal committee interference

5. Streamlined legislative process

6. Minimal public scrutiny

DECENTRALIZATION1. Weak leadership2. Few restrictions on

debate3. Stalling tactics4. Powerful committees5. Complicated legislative

process6. Close public scrutiny

II. Conflict over Distribution of Power

Evolution of CongressII. Conflict over Distribution of

PowerA. 1889-1910 Strong

Centralization in the House1. Speaker Thomas Reed had

strong powers including:- making committee

assignments- Appointing committee chairs- Chairing the Rules

committee

2. Joseph “Uncle Joe” Cannon continued Reed’s centralization

Evolution of CongressII. Conflict over Distribution of Power

B. Decentralization in the House1. 1910 Revolt against Joe:

- Speaker could no longer make committee assignments- Speaker could no longer appoint chairs- Speaker lost position on Rules Committee

2. Move towards decentralization- Individuals voted without fear of Speaker- Rules committee gained more power- Committee Chairmen gained power

Evolution of CongressII. Conflict over Distribution of Power

B. Decentralization in the House3. Decentralization in the 1970s (Class of 74)

- Individual members gained more power

- More subcommittees

- Power of subcommittee chairs rose (committee chair power declined)

- More staff members

- Reduction in the seniority system

Evolution of CongressII. Conflict over Distribution of Power

C. Developments in the Senate1. More naturally decentralized

- Fewer members- no Speaker- lack a strong Rules Committee

2. Democratization of the Senate with passage of 17th amendment (1913)

3. Concern over length of floor debates- Use of filibuster- Cloture vote (3/5 of senators can move to end debate)

Incumbency Reelection rate in House 90% Reelection rate in Senate 80% Relatively few seats are seriously

contested “Permanent Congress” But… retirements open up a lot of seats

each year

Incumbency

Specific Advantages Franking privilege Staffers Patronage Name recognition Money, esp. from PACs

IncumbencySpecial Advantage: Gerrymandering

1. Reapportionment: Redistribution of 435 seats in the House on the basis of changes in the state populations.

a. Reps per state determined by pop.b. Census conducted every 10 yrs.c. Census shows populations changes

and seats are allotted based upon new numbers

Incumbency

Special Advantage: Gerrymandering

2. Redistricting: When seats change, district boundaries must change.

a. Party controlling state legislature redraws district boundaries.

b. Gerrymandering = redrawing boundaries to favor party in

power

IncumbencySpecial Advantage: Gerrymandering

Origins of term:19th century Governor Elbridge Gerry redrew lines himself with some having such strange shapes, they looked like salamanders.

Party in Power keeps power by: “Packing”- concentrate opposition population in few

districts “Cracking”- Disperse opp. Party throughout state to

dilute their impact

IncumbencySpecial Advantage: GerrymanderingEffects of Gerrymandering1. Party in power, STAYS in power2. Safe seats are created3. Odd-shaped districts4. “Majority-Minority” districts created by

racial gerrymandering

IncumbencyRedistricting Requirements:1. Districts must be as near equal in population as possible

a. Baker v. Carr, 1962 “one man, one vote” principle applied to state leg districts to correct overrepresentation of rural areas.

b. Wesberry v. Sanders 1964 applied principle to House districts

2. District lines must be contiguous3. Racial gerrymandering is prohibited (Shaw v. Reno,

1993). Race may not be the primary factor in drawing district lines (Miller v. Johnson, 1995)

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering

GERRYMANDERING http://www.gothamgazette.com/votegame/

Leadership in Congress- HouseSpeaker of the House-

Presides over House1. Appoints select and

conference committees2. Appoints Rules

Committee members and Chair

3. Assigns Bills to committees

4. Second in line for Presidency

Leadership in Congress- HouseMajority Leader-

Partisan Position- chosen by party members

1. Floor leader/ legislative strategist

2. Minority leader-

Leadership in Congress- HouseMajority Whip-1. Assistant floor leader2. Inform leaders on mood

of the House3. Keep count on important

votes4. Persuade party members

to vote with party5. Minority whip

Leadership in Congress- SenateVP- President of the

Senate

1. Presides over Senate

2. Votes in case of a tie

3. Ceremonial Job

Leadership in Congress- SenatePresident Pro Tempore-

1. Ceremonial Job

2. Presides in Absence of the VP

3. Third in line for the presidency

Leadership in Congress- SenateMajority Leader-

1. True leader in Senate

2. Recognized first for all debates

3. Leads majority party

4. Influences committee assignments

5. Influences agenda with Minority leader

Leadership in Congress- SenateMinority Leader and

party whips function the same as they do in the House

Committees Standing committees are the permanent

committees of Congress. They have both legislative and oversight powers.

House Standing: Rules (most powerful of all) Ways and means (deals with tax bills) Appropriations (spending) Budget Armed Services

Committees Standing committees are the permanent

committees of Congress. They have both legislative and oversight powers.

Senate Standing: Finance (tax bills) Appropriations (spending) Budget Foreign Relations (prestigious) Treaty and ambassador

work Judiciary: screen judicial nominees

Committees Conference committees:

Temporary committees comprised of members of both houses

Develop compromise language for a bill when versions differ

After conference committee sends bill back - no amendments are allowed and bill is generally passed

“Third House of Congress”

Other Committees Select: temporary purpose in House Joint: Both houses for temporary purpose