magleby chapter10 ppt

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10

10.1 Understand the demographics and

basic facts about Congress Understand congressional districts

Describe the congressional election process and the advantages it gives incumbents

Chapter 10: Congress

Learning Objectives


The Congress starts and ends on the third day of January of every odd-numbered year.

Each 2-year session is numbered. The House and Senate are equal partners in the

legislative process. the Constitution grants each chamber some

unique powers. Congress has 535 members –

435 members of the House of Representatives 100 Senators

Congress Basic Facts


Congressional Changes


Congressional Elections

Drawing District Lines Advantages of Incumbency The 2012 Congressional Elections

10.1


Drawing District Lines

Representatives serve state districts Number of districts determined by state population per

U.S. Census “Reapportionment” – the process of changing the number of

seats allotted to each state

10.1


Allocation of congressional districts in the House ofRepresentatives after the 2010 census


States have power to draw district lines Redistricting - drawing House district lines for the number of

seats within their borders. It happens every 10 years Gerrymandering – extreme cases of redistricting that

favor one party


A classic example of gerrymandering in Illinois


Review question:

What’s the difference between redistricting and reapportionment?


Advantages of Incumbency Most incumbents win re-election

Senate seats more vulnerable than House Incumbent advantages over opponents

Providing constituent services Visible presence Influence legislation and spending within district Free media access Experience in elections

10.1


Congressional election results, 2010 and 2012

10.1


The 2012 Congressional Elections 2010 midterms – GOP gains

Republicans take House majority Republicans gain governorships

2010 midterms Record amounts of spending Emergence of Tea Party Interpreted as rejection of health care bill Reaction to poor economy and political stalemate

10.1


10.1Governmental Salaries (2014)LegislativeRank and file member of House or Senate$174,000House and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders$193,400Speaker of the House $223,000 ExecutiveVPOTUS$230,700POTUS $400,000Level I Executive Schedule (cabinet members) $199,700JudiciaryChief Justice of the US Supreme Court $255,000Associate Justices of US Supreme Court $244,400Federal Circuit Judges $211,200Federal District Judges $199,100 Private Sector Salaries (2014)Charif Souki (Cheniere Energy CEO) $141 millionBeyoncé $115 millionLeBron James $72 millionRalph Lauren $66 million


10.1 Which of the following is an advantage enjoyed by an incumbent?

10.1

a. Visibilityb. Constituent servicec. Free media accessd. All of the above


The Structure and Powers ofCongress A Divided Branch The Powers of Congress

10.2


A Divided Branch

Bicameralism Two-house legislature

House and Senate maintain separate: Committee structures Legislative rules Records Rules for own members

10.2


The Powers of Congress

Enumerated powers – Section 8 of the Constitution To raise, make, and borrow money To regulate commerce To unify and expand the country To prepare and declare war To create the federal judiciary

Implied powers Necessary and proper clause

Governmental checks on authority Power to impeach presidents and judges

10.2Article 1 of the Constitution states, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."


Alcee Hastings 10.2


TABLE 10.1: Differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate

10.2


10.2 Which of the following is NOT a power of Congress?

10.2

a. Regulate commerceb. Taxationc. Borrow money d. Command armed forces


Congressional Leadership and Committees

10.3

Leading the House of Representatives Leading the Senate Congressional Committees


Leading the House of Representatives Speaker of the House

Most powerful leader on Capitol Hill – elected by the majority party caucus

Other House officers Majority leader – helps plan party strategy & maintain party unity Minority leader – elected by minority party Whips – assist the leaders

The House Rules Committee Most powerful committee in either chamber Governs floor debates and bill amendments

10.3


Leading the Senate

Senate Smaller, looser organization than House More decentralized than a generation ago

Same Party leadership structure as House Majority, minority leaders, whips President pro tempore leads floor debate – usually the

most senior member of the majority party

10.3


Leading the Senate

Rules Filibuster – places a legislative hold, preventing action Cloture motion – formal method for ending a filibuster,

requires a final vote after no more than 30 hours of debate

10.3


Old-fashioned filibustering

10.3


Congressional Committees

Types of committees Standing Rules and administration, budget, authorizing, appropriations, revenue,

and oversight Standing committees are the most durable and are the source of most

bills.

10.3


TABLE 10.2: Congressional standing committees, 2011–2013

10.3


Congressional Committees

Types of committees Special or Select Joint – members from both committees

Choosing committee members Each party controls the selection of standing committee

members Special role of conference committees settles

the differences between Senate and House versions of a bill.

Caucuses - informal committees that allow individual members to promote shared legislative interests.

10.3


10.3Black Caucus


10.3 Which type of committee is the source of most bills?

10.3

a. Selectb. Jointc. Speciald. Standing


How a Bill Becomes a Law

How Ideas Become Bills How Bills Become Laws

10.4


How Ideas Become Bills

Self-crafted policy – lawmakers have their own ideas about issues

Other input Experienced policy experts Informed public

Party ideology

10.4


10.4“Elder statesmen”often work together across party lines to build compromises that office-holders cannot.


How Bills Become Laws Introducing a bill – a number is given and it is referred to a

special committee Referral decision – most bills never pass this point, others

are referred to subcommittees for review Committee and subcommittee review – if passed, the

bill returns to the full committee for more hearings Mark up – bill is amended, voted on, and sent to a full

committee, House Rules Committee, or the Senate Discharge petition – can force a bill to the floor of the

House if signed by a majority - rare Floor debate and passage Presidential approval – signed or vetoed, veto can be

overridden by a 2/3 vote in each chamber

10.4


How a bill becomes a law

10.4


10.4 A committee modification of a bill is known as a(n)__________.

10.4

a. Overrideb. Filibuster c. Riderd. Mark up


The Job of the Legislator

Legislators as Representatives Making Legislative Choices Congressional Ethics

10.5


Legislators as Representatives Delegates vs. Trustees

Delegates try to do what constituents want Trustees vote based on what they think is best for their

constituents Are legislators truly representative?

More educated More likely to be white Likely to have been lawyers or bankers Most have previous political experience

10.5


Making Legislative Choices Advice from Colleagues

Logrolling - When they don’t have a direct interest in a bill, they may support a colleague who does, with the expectation that they will receive similar support for bills they do care about.

Constituents – attentive public wishes are heard Ideology – most vote with their party Interest groups – influence Congress through lobbying,

testifying before committees, contributing to campaigns

10.5


Constituents and interest groups 10.5


Making Legislative Choices Party

Party-line voting - Since 2000, nearly 90 percent of Democrats and Republicans vote with their party on key votes.

President Influences Congress by distributing government

resources to members’ constituents.

10.5


Congressional Ethics

House and Senate set their own rules for ethical conduct

Rules changes 2007 - Congress may not accept any gifts, meals, or travel from any lobbyist 2012 – Stock Act

Ethics committees

10.5


Rep. William Jefferson 10.5


10.5 Which term describes a member of Congress who tries to do what constituents want?

10.5

a. Trusteeb. Incumbentc. Whip d. Delegate


An Assessment of Congress “Permanent campaign”

Makes leadership difficult

Without majorities, there is little action Lack of action = public frustration

Partisanship - an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance

10.6


FIGURE 10.3: Public approval of Congress,1997–2010

10.6


10.6 Which of the following terms refers to a legislator’s constant running for office?

10.6

a. Filibusterb. Horse race c. Cloture motiond. Permanent campaign


Discussion Question

Do you feel that members of Congress do enough to represent their constituents? Why? How has what happens in Congress affected you?

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10.3

10.4

Compare and contrast the leadership systems used in the House and Senate, and explain how work is done through congressional committees

Identify the steps by which a bill becomes a law and the ways a bill can be stopped at each step

Learning Objectives


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10.5

10.6

Characterize the two ways legislators represent their constituents, and identify the various influences on their votes

Evaluate the influence of citizens on the legislative process

Learning Objectives