exam tip of the day... there will not be a question from the “congressional reapportionment”...

Exam Tip of the Day...Exam Tip of the Day...

• there will NOT be a question from the there will NOT be a question from the “Congressional Reapportionment” section of “Congressional Reapportionment” section of the text (pp.215-7)the text (pp.215-7)

• Students with last names beginning with A-L Students with last names beginning with A-L will write the mid-term exam in MC 4021. All will write the mid-term exam in MC 4021. All students with last names beginning M-Z will students with last names beginning M-Z will write in DWE 2527.write in DWE 2527.

• note two new articles (#22 and #25) on course note two new articles (#22 and #25) on course webpage!! webpage!!

Mid-Term Exam – Thurs., Nov.3Mid-Term Exam – Thurs., Nov.3

• two sectionstwo sections– lectures (66%)lectures (66%)

• short paragraph (2x32%)short paragraph (2x32%)– Part A (choose one of two)Part A (choose one of two)– Part B (choose one of two)Part B (choose one of two)

– readings/multimedia (34%)readings/multimedia (34%)• multiple choice (34 questions, 1% each)multiple choice (34 questions, 1% each)

– 12 questions on textbook readings12 questions on textbook readings» approx. 3 questions per chapterapprox. 3 questions per chapter

– 16 questions on newsclippings16 questions on newsclippings» one per readingone per reading

– 6 questions on video presentations 6 questions on video presentations » one per dayone per day

THE THE UNITED STATES UNITED STATES

CONGRESSCONGRESSOctober 25, 2005October 25, 2005

Legislates, Controls Budget, Approves Nominations and Treaties, Impeach, Override Veto

Confirms Nominations, Impeach

VETO!VETO!

Declare Laws Declare Laws UnconstitutionalUnconstitutional

The Dynamics of Congressional The Dynamics of Congressional Law-MakingLaw-Making

• Inside CongressInside Congress– Within Each HouseWithin Each House

– Between the HousesBetween the Houses

• Congress and the PresidentCongress and the President

Inside Congress -- The Two Inside Congress -- The Two HousesHouses

• Why Two Houses?Why Two Houses?– different basis of representationdifferent basis of representation

• representation of constituencies versus representation of constituencies versus representation of statesrepresentation of states

• different weight of states in each housedifferent weight of states in each house



– different electoral time-framedifferent electoral time-frame• House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

– constant campaign mode – responsive to current political constant campaign mode – responsive to current political demandsdemands

• SenateSenate– more removed from immediate political pressuremore removed from immediate political pressure

– can take long-term viewcan take long-term view



– different electoral time-framedifferent electoral time-frame

– each plays a different role and represents each plays a different role and represents different interestsdifferent interests


• House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives– unique powersunique powers

• introducing money billsintroducing money bills

• SenateSenate– unique powersunique powers

• ratification of presidential appointmentsratification of presidential appointments• ratification of treatiesratification of treaties

• both play a role in routine law-makingboth play a role in routine law-making

Inside Congress -- Inside the Inside Congress -- Inside the House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

• Factors Effecting Voting in the House of Factors Effecting Voting in the House of RepresentativesRepresentatives– party influenceparty influence

– district influencedistrict influence

– ideological influenceideological influence

– special interest influencespecial interest influence


• party disciplineparty discipline– party leadershipparty leadership

• SpeakerSpeaker– ““The most powerful Republican outside the White The most powerful Republican outside the White

House is also the most anonymous. Few seem to House is also the most anonymous. Few seem to notice the existence let alone the large and growing notice the existence let alone the large and growing influence of House -- Speaker J. Dennis Hastert.” influence of House -- Speaker J. Dennis Hastert.” David S. Broder , Washington PostDavid S. Broder , Washington Post

• Majority Leader/Minority LeaderMajority Leader/Minority Leader

Inside Congress -- Inside the Inside Congress -- Inside the House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives• party disciplineparty discipline

– party leadershipparty leadership• SpeakerSpeaker

– ““The most powerful Republican outside the White House is The most powerful Republican outside the White House is also the most anonymous. Few seem to notice the existence let also the most anonymous. Few seem to notice the existence let alone the large and growing influence of House -- Speaker J. alone the large and growing influence of House -- Speaker J. Dennis Hastert.” David S. Broder , Washington PostDennis Hastert.” David S. Broder , Washington Post

• Majority Leader/Minority LeaderMajority Leader/Minority Leader

• Majority Whip/Minority WhipMajority Whip/Minority Whip

• weak party disciplineweak party discipline

Party Unity – House of RepresentativesParty Unity – House of Representatives

HOUSE SUPPORTHOUSE SUPPORT

RepublicansRepublicans DemocratsDemocratsBoehner, OHBoehner, OH 99%99% Coyne, PACoyne, PA 99%99%

Bonilla, TXBonilla, TX 99%99% Filner, CAFilner, CA 99%99%

Callahan, ALCallahan, AL 99%99% Schakowsky Schakowsky CACA

99%99%

Crane, ILCrane, IL 99%99% Solis, CASolis, CA 99%99%

Oxley, OHOxley, OH 99%99% Brown, OHBrown, OH 98%98%

Party Unity – House of Representatives Party Unity – House of Representatives (Support for Republicans)(Support for Republicans)

Highest (D) and Lowest (R)Highest (D) and Lowest (R)

RepublicansRepublicans DemocratsDemocratsMorella, MDMorella, MD 61%61% Traficant, OHTraficant, OH 91%91%

Leach, IOLeach, IO 73%73% Hall, TXHall, TX 75%75%

Shays, CTShays, CT 75%75% Lucas, KYLucas, KY 53%53%

Gilman, NYGilman, NY 76%76% Cramer, ALCramer, AL 50%50%

Johnson, CTJohnson, CT 76%76% John, LAJohn, LA 48%48%

Inside Congress -- Inside the Inside Congress -- Inside the House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives• weak party discipline weak party discipline

– individual members are more open to individual members are more open to outside influenceoutside influence• responsiveresponsive• can be controlled by outside interestscan be controlled by outside interests

– importance of log-rollingimportance of log-rolling• broad benefits, compromisebroad benefits, compromise• hard to get things donehard to get things done• sometimes described as briberysometimes described as bribery

Inside Congress -- Inside the Inside Congress -- Inside the House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives• committee systemcommittee system

– important – most important organizational feature of important – most important organizational feature of congresscongress

• role of standing committeesrole of standing committees

• make-up of standing committeesmake-up of standing committees

• importance of committee chairmanshipsimportance of committee chairmanships

– traditionally dominated according to senioritytraditionally dominated according to seniority• make-up/chairmanshipmake-up/chairmanship

• recent changesrecent changes– party caucus approval (1971)party caucus approval (1971)

– committee chair/Speaker term limits (1995)committee chair/Speaker term limits (1995)


• committee systemcommittee system– trade-off of strong leadership (Speaker, trade-off of strong leadership (Speaker,

committee chairmanship) committee chairmanship) • decreases influence/role of individual decreases influence/role of individual

representativerepresentative• increases collective influence of House of increases collective influence of House of

RepresentativesRepresentatives– helps business get donehelps business get done

» ability to get things done is crucial in strengthening the House ability to get things done is crucial in strengthening the House of Represenatives vis-a-vis President/Senateof Represenatives vis-a-vis President/Senate

Inside Congress -- Inside the Inside Congress -- Inside the SenateSenate

• party leadershipparty leadership– Vice President/Presidet Pro TemporeVice President/Presidet Pro Tempore

– Majority Leader/Minority LeaderMajority Leader/Minority Leader


• party leadershipparty leadership– Vice President/Presidet Pro TemporeVice President/Presidet Pro Tempore

– Majority Leader/Minority LeaderMajority Leader/Minority Leader

– Majority Whip/Minority WhipMajority Whip/Minority Whip


• the Senate Atmosphere -- Senatorial the Senate Atmosphere -- Senatorial PrivilegesPrivileges

Party Unity – The SenateParty Unity – The Senate

SENATE SUPPORTSENATE SUPPORT

RepublicansRepublicans DemocratsDemocratsAllard, COAllard, CO 98%98% Dayton, MNDayton, MN 99%99%

Helms, NCHelms, NC 98%98% Reed, RIReed, RI 99%99%

Kyl, AZKyl, AZ 98%98% Daschle, SDDaschle, SD 98%98%

Lott, MSLott, MS 98%98% Kerry, MAKerry, MA 98%98%

McConnell, McConnell, KYKY

98%98% Levin, MILevin, MI 98%98%

Party Unity – Senate (Support for Party Unity – Senate (Support for Republicans)Republicans)


RepublicansRepublicans DemocratsDemocratsChafee, RIChafee, RI 50%50% Miller, GAMiller, GA 58%58%

Specter, PASpecter, PA 60%60% Nelson, NBNelson, NB 42%42%

Snowe, MESnowe, ME 64%64% Breaux, LABreaux, LA 41%41%

Collins, MECollins, ME 67%67% Baucus, MTBaucus, MT 33%33%

McCain, AZMcCain, AZ 67%67% Cleland, GACleland, GA 22%22%

Inside Congress -- Inside the Inside Congress -- Inside the SenateSenate• the Senate Atmosphere -- Senatorial the Senate Atmosphere -- Senatorial

PrivilegesPrivileges• Cloture and the FilibusterCloture and the Filibuster

• record – Thurmond, civil rights, 1957record – Thurmond, civil rights, 1957• McCain/Feingold, 1998-1999McCain/Feingold, 1998-1999

• the committee systemthe committee system– importantimportant– committee chair term limits (1995)committee chair term limits (1995)

Inside Congress -- Between the Inside Congress -- Between the HousesHouses

• A Congress Divided?A Congress Divided?

Inside Congress -- Between the Inside Congress -- Between the HousesHouses

• A Congress Divided?A Congress Divided?

• Differences between the HousesDifferences between the Houses– electoral time-frameselectoral time-frames

– representational concernsrepresentational concerns

– dynamics of operationdynamics of operation

• balancing different interestsbalancing different interests

Congress and the PresidentCongress and the President

• Presidential Support in CongressPresidential Support in Congress

Party Unity – House Presidential SupportParty Unity – House Presidential Support


RepublicansRepublicans DemocratsDemocratsPaul, TXPaul, TX 49%49% Hall, TXHall, TX 86%86%

Morella, MDMorella, MD 53%53% Lucas, KYLucas, KY 81%81%

Leach, IOLeach, IO 60%60% John, LAJohn, LA 69%69%

Gilman, NYGilman, NY 62%62% Cramer, ALCramer, AL 67%67%

Ramstad, MNRamstad, MN 65%65% Shows, MSShows, MS 64%64%

Party Unity – Senate Presidential SupportParty Unity – Senate Presidential Support


RepublicansRepublicans DemocratsDemocratsChafee, RIChafee, RI 84%84% Miller, GAMiller, GA 82%82%

Snowe, MESnowe, ME 84%84% Breaux, LABreaux, LA 77%77%

Specter, PASpecter, PA 87%87% Landrieu, LALandrieu, LA 74%74%

Collins, MECollins, ME 88%88% Nelson, NBNelson, NB 74%74%

McCain, AZMcCain, AZ 91%91% Baucus, MTBaucus, MT 71%71%



• United vs. Divided GovernmentUnited vs. Divided Government– frequencyfrequency

United and Divided Government, United and Divided Government, 1968-20041968-2004

• 1968-69 Nixon, Sen.=D, Rep=D1968-69 Nixon, Sen.=D, Rep=D



• 1974-75 Nixon/Ford, Sen.=D*, 1974-75 Nixon/Ford, Sen.=D*, Rep=DRep=D

• 1976-77 Carter, Sen.=D*, Rep=D1976-77 Carter, Sen.=D*, Rep=D

• 1978-79 Carter, Sen.=D, Rep=D1978-79 Carter, Sen.=D, Rep=D

• 1980-81 Reagan, Sen.=R, Rep=D1980-81 Reagan, Sen.=R, Rep=D




• 1988-89 Bush, Sen.=D, Rep=D1988-89 Bush, Sen.=D, Rep=D

• 1990-91 Bush, Sen.=D, Rep.=D1990-91 Bush, Sen.=D, Rep.=D

• 1992-93 Clinton, Sen.=D, Rep=D1992-93 Clinton, Sen.=D, Rep=D

• 1994-95 Clinton, Sen.=R, Rep=R1994-95 Clinton, Sen.=R, Rep=R



• 2000-02 Bush, Sen.=R, Rep=R2000-02 Bush, Sen.=R, Rep=R

• 2002-04 Bush, Sen.=R, Rep=R2002-04 Bush, Sen.=R, Rep=R

*senate supermajority

Total Years=36 Total Years Divided Gov’t=26 Total Years United Gov’t=10




– causes of divided governmentcauses of divided government• non-synchronized electionsnon-synchronized elections• different basis of representationdifferent basis of representation• split-ticket votingsplit-ticket voting




– causes of divided governmentcauses of divided government

– effects of divided vs. united governmenteffects of divided vs. united government

Presidential Vetoes and Presidential Vetoes and Congressional OverridesCongressional Overrides

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

FDR

Trum

an

Eisenhow

er

Kenned

yLBJ

Nixon

Ford

Carter

Reaga

n

Bush 41

Clinto

n

Bush 43

Congressional Override of Congressional Override of Presidential VetoPresidential Veto

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

FDR

Trum

an

Eisenhow

er

Kenned

yLBJ

Nixon

Ford

Carter

Reaga

n

Bush 41

Clinto

n

Bush 43

Congressional Override of Congressional Override of Presidential VetoPresidential Veto

• Clinton (2)Clinton (2)– line-item veto of appropriations for 38 line-item veto of appropriations for 38

military construction projectsmilitary construction projects

– tort reform billtort reform bill


• Main Point!Main Point!– the degree to which Congress and the President the degree to which Congress and the President

have to work together is determined have to work together is determined politicallypolitically• public demands that Congress and President work public demands that Congress and President work

together! together!

Congress -- Main Point!Congress -- Main Point!• the American Constitution deliberately makes it the American Constitution deliberately makes it

difficult to get legislation passed difficult to get legislation passed – the two houses of Congress are designed to act as a the two houses of Congress are designed to act as a

check on each othercheck on each other– Congress acts as a check on Presidency and vice versaCongress acts as a check on Presidency and vice versa

• the effect is that less gets donethe effect is that less gets done– however, to get things done requires a broad however, to get things done requires a broad

consensusconsensus

• politicspolitics demands that the two Houses and two demands that the two Houses and two branches (Congress and Presidency) work branches (Congress and Presidency) work toeghertoegher

exam tip of the day... there will not be a question from the “congressional reapportionment”...

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