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Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
Chapter 11
CONGRESS
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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)
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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.
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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.
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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?
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
The Incumbency Factor
extremely high re-election ratesadvantages
franking privilegecaseworkpork
Implications for democracy
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
How Congress Works
Congress remains the most influential and independent legislature among Western democratic nations.
Centrifugal forces
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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
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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
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Rules and NormsReciprocity
currently declining in favor of deference to party leaders
Senatebills scheduled by unanimous consentfilibuster & cloture
Housemore rule-boundmore hierarchical
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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.
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Introducing a billCommittee actionFloor actionConference committeePresidential action
vetopocket veto
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005
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.