The Role of Congress in Democracy
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Presentation Transcript
Why Bicameralism? • Compromise • Checks & Balances
Congressional Reapportionment & Redistricting • Reapportionment – The reallocation of the number of representatives each state has in the HR
Why is it important? • 1. increases or decreases the number of seats • 2. more Rep’s more influence • 3. electoral votes
Redistricting – the drawing/redrawing of congressional district lines • Gerrymandering • Why? • To enhance political party strength • Protect incumbents
Personal & Political Backgrounds • WASP • Mid 50’s (middle-aged) • Married w/ children
Table 11.1: Blacks, Hispanics, and Women in Congress, 1971-2002
Many were lawyers • Held previous positions in government • Many make careers out of office
Do members represent their voters? • Demographically: No • Republican members more conservative than avg. Americans • Democrat members more liberal than avg. Americans • Yes: If they want to get elected
Congressional Elections • Incumbents usually win • Why? • Advertising – name recognition • Credit Claiming - Pork Barrel & casework • Safe districts - Gerrymandering
Table 11.2: Incumbents in Congress Reelected by 60 Percent or More
Figure 11.2: Percentage of Incumbents Reelected to Congress • Source: Harold W. Stanley and Richard G. Niemi, Vital Statistics on American Politics, 1999-2000 (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2000), table 1-18.
Job Benefits • Power • Pay $162,000 YR & Retirement • Office space • Congressional Staff • Travel allowances & Franking Privileges
Powers of Congress • Legislative • examples include: to collect taxes, borrow money, to declare war, and to “make all laws necessary and proper”
Non-legislative powers • oversight of the executive branch • appointments • impeachment
Essay Practice # 1 • A. Discuss two reasons why the framers created a bicameral legislature • B. Identify one power unique to the House of Representatives and explain why the framers gave the House that power • C. Identify one power unique to the Senate and explain why the framers gave the Senate that power.
House of Representatives • Speaker of the House- Boehner • 1. Presides over the House • 2. Appoints select & conference committees • 3. Appoints the rules committee
4. Assigns bills to committees • 5. Second in line for the presidency
Majority & Minority Leader • 1. Partisan position picked by individual parties • 2. Floor leader & legislative strategist • Majority – Cantor • Minority - Pelosi
Party Whips • 1. Assistant floor leader • 2. Inform party leaders on the “mood” of the House • 3. Keep nose count on important votes
Senate • Vice President - Biden • 1. President of the Senate • 2. Presides over the Senate • 3. Votes in case of tie
President pro Tempore • 1. Ceremonial job • 2. Presides when the VP is absent • 3. Third in line for the presidency after the Speaker – • Dan Inouye
Majority Leader • 1. True leader in the Senate • 2. Recognized first for all debates • 3. True leader of the Majority party • Majority – Reid • Minority - McConnell
Standing Committee • Formed to handle bills in different policy areas • 2-3 committees and 4-7 subcommittees per member
Joint Committees • Made up of members of both houses to meet about a specific issue and report back their findings – Example - Library of Congress
Select Committees • Temporary - set up to study specific issues
Conference Committees • Temporary • Members from both houses • hammer out differences in a bill
Caucuses • Associations of members of Congress created to advocate on behalf of an ideology, constituency, or regional and economic interest • Types- Intraparty, Personal interest, Constituency concerns
