pearson education, inc. © 2005 chapter 11 congress

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005

Chapter 11

CONGRESS


The Dynamics and Consequences of 2004 Congressional Elections

In one of the most bitterly partisan congressional election campaigns in recent memory, Republicans increased their majorities by four seats in both the House and the Senate Such unified party government existed for only seven years between 1967-2002

Campaign spending reached historic levels

Acceleration in the changing geography of representation in the Senate Transformation of the Deep South from solidly Democratic to solidly Republican

Other notable developments for Democrats Election of young and charismatic Barack Obama (Illinois) Defeat of Senate minority leader Tom Daschle (South Dakota)


The Dynamics and Consequences of 2004 Congressional Elections

Incumbents proved to be virtually invincible

Portends an increasingly partisan and contentious political environment Fewer moderates representatives More ideologically committed representatives


Constitutional Foundations of the Modern Congress

The framers of the Constitution were ambivalent about democracy and concerned about the possibility of government tyranny.

They wanted an energetic government, with the legislative branch as the center of policymaking.

Yet they also limited Congressional power bicameralism bills of attainder ex post facto laws habeas corpus separation of powers checks and balances


Representation in Congress

Apportionment Established through the Great

CompromiseBased on population in the House of

Representatives and on equal representation of the states in the Senate

Election of legislators


Federalism

In our federal system, some powers and responsibilities are granted to the national government, some are shared, and some are reserved for the states.

It is inevitable that conflicts will occur between state governments and the national government.

Federalism also infuses localism into congressional affairs.


Representation and Democracy

Styles of representationEdmund Burke described two principal

styles of representation in 1774.Delegate theoryTrustee theory

Senators (who have longer terms of office) usually have more latitude than representatives to assume the trustee style.


Race, Gender and Occupation in Congress

Gender Race

African AmericansHispanicsOthers

Occupationdominance of law, business, and banking lack of blue-collar representation

Is it important that Congress be demographically representative of the American people?


The Electoral Connection

Electoral districts reapportionment redistricting gerrymandering majority-minority districts

Money and congressional electionsaverage 5 million for Senate race, 1 million for

Houseeffects of campaign finance reform sources: individuals, PACs, political parties,

candidates


The Incumbency Factor

extremely high re-election ratesadvantages

franking privilegecaseworkpork

Implications for democracy


How Congress Works

Congress remains the most influential and independent legislature among Western democratic nations.

Centrifugal forces


Political Parties in Congress

At the opening of each new Congress, parties in the two houses hold caucuses to organize their legislative business and select their leadership.

Party composition of CongressParty voting in Congress

increased partisanship over time


Congressional Leadership

The political parties work through the leadership structure of Congress.

Leaders of the majority political party are also the leaders of the House and Senate.

Leadership in the HouseSpeakerwhips

Leadership in the Senate


Congressional Committees Most of the work of Congress takes place in

its committees and subcommittees. Why Congress has committees Types of committees

standing committees subcommittees (hearings, markup) select committees joint committees conference committees

Committee assignments Committee and subcommittee chairs


Rules and NormsReciprocity

currently declining in favor of deference to party leaders

Senatebills scheduled by unanimous consentfilibuster & cloture

Housemore rule-boundmore hierarchical


Legislative Responsibilities: How a Bill Becomes a Law

It is extremely difficult to make law because it is relatively easy to block bills from becoming laws.

Only about 6 percent of all bills that are introduced are enacted into law.


Introducing a billCommittee actionFloor actionConference committeePresidential action

vetopocket veto


Legislative Oversight of the Executive Branch

Reviewing the performance of executive branch agencies to ensure that laws are being properly administered and that power is not being abused

An important legislative responsibility of Congress

Primarily managed by the committees and subcommitteeshearings impeachment


Congress, Public Policy, and the American People

Congress as PolicymakerFrequent criticisms of CongressYet, the evidence is mixed

Congress and the American PeopleAmericans tend to approve of their own

representatives and senators, but have low regard for Congress as an institution.

pearson education, inc. © 2005 chapter 11 congress

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