Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 11
The Members
11.1
Constitutional requirements
TABLE 11.1
Congress
11.1
Members
Demographics
Descriptive versus substantive representation
11.1
11.2
11.2
Advertising
Constituent contact
Credit claiming
Casework
Pork barrel projects
11.2
Advantages of Incumbency
Position taking
Weak opponents
Campaign spending
11.2
11.2
Defeating Incumbents
Challengers are nave
But sometimes incumbents are vulnerable
Redistricting
Public mood
11.2
American Bicameralism
Bicameral legislature
Bills must pass both houses
Checks and balances
Result of Connecticut Compromise
The House
More institutionalized and seniority-based
Rules Committee
The Senate
The Filibuster
Less centralized and seniority-based
11.3
11.3
11.3
Congressional Leadership
Chosen by party
The House
Speaker of the House
Majority and minority leaders
Whips
The Senate
Vice president
Majority leader
Standing committees
Joint committees
Conference committees
Select committees
11.3
11.3
11.3
11.3
Congressional Staff
Personal staff
Casework
Legislative functions
Committee staff
2,000 staff members
Legislative oversight
Staff agencies
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
11.3
FIGURE 11.2
11.4
Polarized politics
Parties more internally homogeneous
Less likelihood of compromise
11.4
FIGURE 11.3
in Congress
Increasing polarization
11.4
11.4
11.5