Chapter 7 Congress

Chapter 7Congress  To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition Karen O’Connor and Larry J. Sabato  Pearson Education, 2009

Roots of the Legislative Branch • Great Compromise leads to bicameral legislature. • Two per state in Senate, House by population. • House district size determined by apportionment. • House district shape determined by redistricting. • Senators must be 30, serve six-year terms. • Representatives must be 25, serve two-year terms.

Powers of Congress • Most important power is to make law. • Bill cannot become law without both branches. • Also declare war, coin money, raise military. • Regulate commerce, immigration, courts. • Revenue bills must begin in House. • Senate handles impeachment trials.

Role of Political Parties • Majority party has most members. • Minority party has second most members. • Key role in committee system and organization. • Party caucuses also choose policy priorities.

House of Representatives • More tightly structured, governed by more rules. • Party loyalty plays a more important role. • Powerful Speaker of the House chosen by all members. • Party caucuses pick majority and minority leaders. • Whips assist party leaders.

Senate • Vice president is the official presiding officer. • Official chair is the president pro tempore. • True leader is the majority leader. • Also have whips. • More informal than House. • Controlling Senate challenging, run by folkways. • Importance of rules such as filibuster and cloture.

Committee System • Much of the actual work gets done by committees. • Standing committees are where bills are referred. • Joint committees include members from both houses. • Conference committees finalize bills. • Select committees deal with temporary issues. • Importance of House Rules Committee. • Discharge petitions force bills out of committee.

Committee Membership • Members serve on multiple committees at a time. • Request assignments based on interest or district. • Often want access to pork or earmarks. • Some assignments are good for campaigning. • Membership represents party division in house. • Chairs have tremendous agenda-setting power. • Chairs no longer chosen by seniority.

Members of Congress • Professionalization after World War I. • Members must please those in D.C. and in district. • Incumbency helps members to stay in office. • 95 percent of incumbents win reelection. • Members more educated, white, and male than U.S.

Theories of Representation • Trustees hear constituents and make own judgments. • Delegates vote as their constituents want. • Most members act as politicos. • May also be influenced by race or gender.

How Members Make Decisions • Party has become important in divided government. • Constituent opinion, especially on important issues. • Colleagues and caucuses. • Role of logrolling. • Interest group lobbying and money. • Staff and support agencies.

How a Bill Becomes a Law • Stage-by-stage process offers many opportunities to fail. • Parallel processes in House and Senate. • Committee is first step, role of markup. • Moves to floor, Senators may use hold or filibuster. • Conference committee if both chambers approve. • President can sign or veto.

Congress and the Executive • President has become increasingly powerful. • Congress, in turn, has increased oversight hearings. • Also uses congressional review. • War Powers Act should give Congress role in war. • Congress confirms presidential appointments. • Congress can impeach president.

Congress and the Judiciary • Courts can overturn laws if unconstitutional. • Congress reviews judicial nominees. • Role of senatorial courtesy. • Congress also sets courts’ jurisdiction.

AV- Congressional Approval  Back

Figure 7.1- Organization of Congress  Back

Figure 7.2- 111th Congress  Back

Figure 7.3- Female and Minority Members  Back

Figure 7.4- How a Bill Becomes a Law  Back

Table 7.1- The Powers of Congress  Back

Table 7.2- House Versus Senate  Back

Table 7.3- Congressional Committees  Back

Table 7.4- A Day in the Life of a Member  Back

Table 7.5- Advantages of Incumbency  Back

Table 7.6- Support Agencies  Back

Table 7.7- Impeachment  Back

Chapter 7 Congress