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Congress I

Congress I. 3/8/2012. Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: identify and explain the role of formal (congressional) institutions and their effect on policy.

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Congress I

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  1. Congress I 3/8/2012

  2. Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form • Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: • identify and explain the role of formal (congressional) institutions and their effect on policy. • to understand and interpret the United States Constitution and apply it to present policy dilemmas. • have a better understanding of why our national government works and why the American system of government is unique.

  3. Office Hours and Readings • Chapter 8 on Congress • Office Hours • Today 11-2

  4. Super tuesday

  5. Not the Game Changer This in 2008 To This in 2012

  6. What Was at Stake • 10 States • More than 400 Delegates • 21 states and 800+ delegates in 2008

  7. Romney wins 6 • Santorum wins 3 • Gingrich wins 1 • Ron Paul will never quit

  8. The Delegate Count

  9. Article I The congress

  10. The Great Compromise

  11. Eligibility House Senate 30 Years old 9 Years a US resident Citizen • 25 Years Old • 7 Years a US resident • Citizen

  12. The Senate • 2 Seats for Every State • 6 year Terms that overlap • 9 States have more than 50% of population, but 18% of representation

  13. The House • 435 Seats • Divided by Population • 2-year terms • 700,000 Constituents

  14. Redistricting and Reapportionment

  15. Reapportionment • Dividing up the 435 House Seats • Based on the Census • Every state Gets 1 (50 states) • 385 Seats are at play every year

  16. Winners and Losers 2012

  17. Redistricting • The process of redrawing districts within a state • State legislatures control the battle • Very Political

  18. Laws on Redistricting • Districts must have equal populations • You cannot destroy a party either • You cannot dilute minority voting • Malapportionment

  19. Gerrymandering • An Eponym • Politically motivated redefinition of election districts.  • Not possible in the Senate

  20. Packing and Cracking

  21. Partisan Gerrymandering • The Most Traditional Form • Drawing lines to favor a political party • Some of the Worst

  22. Racial Gerrymandering • The Original intent • Voting Rights Act • The Modern intent • Descriptive representation • Majority minority districts • The Political Implications

  23. Gerrymandering and the case of Texas- 2003

  24. The Events Leading Up to it all • In 2000, the Democrats Gerrymander the state in their favor • In 2002, the Democrats get 44% of the vote and 54% of the Seats in Congress • Republicans take the Texas House and Senate and want payback

  25. Payback Courtesy of Tom De Lay • A mid-year reapportionment • Strategy • 2 for 1s • Create unsafe seats • Make life miserable

  26. What it did locally

  27. Why it Fell apart • Voting Rights Act • One district ruled in violation • The Rest Fell like dominoes • But the Damage Was Done

  28. What Happened to Tom De Lay? • DWTS • Currently on bail awaiting an appeal on money laundering

  29. Gerrymandering and Texas- 2011

  30. What Happens • The Republicans win big in 2010 • Large Majorities in the House and Senate

  31. The Legislature Draws the First Map • It Favors the Republicans (Duh) • Legal Challenges by Latino and African-American Groups

  32. A Federal Court in San Antonio Draws a New Map • This map favors Democrats • The State of Texas sues • This postpones our Primary from Super Tuesday

  33. A Compromise • Our Primary is now May 29th • The New map gives Democrats 2-3 of the new seats…. • No One is really happy

  34. What it Does to Austin • Creates 5 Districts • Four Safe Republican • Stretches Doggett’s District to San Antonio

  35. Getting to Congress

  36. The Bad Old Days • Congress Did very Little • It was seen as a penance • D.C. Was not a nice place

  37. What has changed? • Air Conditioning • Congress does more • People want to go there

  38. Who Are Our Congressman: Wealthy

  39. Why so many millionaires? • Running for Congress is a costly endeavor • Running for Congress is a full-time job • You need a job that permits this

  40. Congress is Older

  41. Still More Men Than Women

  42. Changes Since the 1990’s

  43. A Great Job

  44. Well-Paid

  45. Great Benefits • Money For Trips and Travel • Great Pension • Cheap Health Care

  46. Other Perks • Great Parking • 3 day work week • Franking Privilege • Power and Prestige

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