Congress The People ’ s Branch

2. 10 Congress The People’s Branch

3. 10 Learning Objectives Describe the congressional election process and the advantages it gives incumbents 10.1 Differentiate the powers of Congress, and compare and contrast the structure and powers of the House and Senate 10.2

4. 10 Learning Objectives Compare and contrast the leadership systems used in the House and Senate, and explain how work is done through congressional committees 10.3 Identify the steps by which a bill becomes a law and the ways a bill can be stopped at each step 10.4

5. 10 Learning Objectives Characterize the two ways legislators represent their constituents, and identify the various influences on their votes 10.5 Evaluate the influence of citizens on the legislative process 10.6

6. Congressional Elections 10.1 • Drawing District Lines • Advantages of Incumbency • The 2012 Congressional Elections

7. Drawing District Lines Representatives serve state districts Number of districts determined by state population per U.S. Census “Reapportionment” States have power to draw district lines Redistricting Gerrymandering 10.1

8. 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

9. 10.1 FIGURE 10.1: Congressional election results, 2010 and 2012

10. 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

11. 10.1 Elizabeth Warren

12. 10.1 10.1Which of the following is an advantage enjoyed by an incumbent? • Visibility • Constituent service • Free media access • All of the above

13. 10.1 10.1Which of the following is an advantage enjoyed by an incumbent? • Visibility • Constituent service • Free media access • All of the above

14. The Structure and Powers ofCongress 10.2 • A Divided Branch • The Powers of Congress

15. A Divided Branch 10.2 • Bicameralism • Two-house legislature • House and Senate maintain separate: • Committee structures • Legislative rules • Records • Rules for own members

16. The Powers of Congress Enumerated powers 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 10.2

17. 10.2 Alcee Hastings

18. 10.2 TABLE 10.1: Differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate

19. 10.2 10.2Which of the following is NOT a power of Congress? • Regulate commerce • Taxation • Borrow money • Command armed forces

20. 10.2 10.2Which of the following is NOT a power of Congress? • Regulate commerce • Taxation • Borrow money • Command armed forces

21. Congressional Leadership and Committees 10.3 • Leading the House of Representatives • Leading the Senate • Congressional Committees

22. Leading the House of Representatives Speaker of the House Most powerful leader on Capitol Hill Other House officers Majority and minority leaders Whips The House Rules Committee Most powerful committee in either chamber Governs floor debates and bill amendments 10.3

23. 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 10.3

24. 10.3 House Speaker John Boehner

25. Leading the Senate Rules Filibuster and cloture motion 10.3

26. 10.3 Old-fashioned filibustering

27. Congressional Committees Types of committees Standing Rules and administration, budget, authorizing, appropriations, revenue, and oversight 10.3

28. 10.3 TABLE 10.2: Congressional standing committees, 2011–2013

29. Congressional Committees Types of committees Special or Select Joint Choosing committee members Each party controls the selection of standing committee members Special role of conference committees Caucuses 10.3

30. 10.3 Black Caucus

31. 10.3 10.3Which type of committee is the source of most bills? • Select • Joint • Special • Standing

32. 10.3 10.3Which type of committee is the source of most bills? • Select • Joint • Special • Standing

33. How a Bill Becomes a Law 10.4 • How Ideas Become Bills • How Bills Become Laws

34. How Ideas Become Bills Self-crafted policy Other input Experienced policy experts Informed public Party ideology 10.4

35. 10.4 “Elder statesmen”

36. How Bills Become Laws Introducing a bill Referral decision Committee and subcommittee review Mark up Discharge Floor debate and passage Presidential approval 10.4

37. 10.4 FIGURE 10.2 How a bill becomes a law

38. 10.4 10.4A committee modification of a bill is known as a(n)__________. • Override • Filibuster • Rider • Mark up

39. 10.4 10.4A committee modification of a bill is known as a(n)__________. • Override • Filibuster • Rider • Mark up

40. The Job of the Legislator 10.5 • Legislators as Representatives • Making Legislative Choices • Congressional Ethics

41. 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

42. Making Legislative Choices Colleagues Logrolling Congressional staff Constituents Ideology Interest groups 10.5

43. 10.5 Constituents and interest groups

44. Making Legislative Choices Party Party-line voting President Influence on Congress 10.5

45. 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

46. 10.5 Rep. William Jefferson

47. 10.5 10.5Which term describes a member of Congress who tries to do what constituents want? • Trustee • Incumbent • Whip • Delegate

48. 10.5 10.5Which term describes a member of Congress who tries to do what constituents want? • Trustee • Incumbent • Whip • Delegate

49. An Assessment of Congress 10.6 • “Permanent campaign” • Makes leadership difficult • Without majorities, there is little action • Lack of action = public frustration

50. 10.6 FIGURE 10.3: Public approval of Congress, 1997–2010