Chapter 7

Congress

To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions

American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition

Karen OConnor 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 6-year terms, 100 members Must be a U.S. citizen for 9 yrs. / live in state Representatives must be 25, serve 2 year terms. 435 members Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 yrs. / live in district

Apportionment & Redistricting

Reapportionment- Takes place every 10 yrs. / Based on Census Redistricting - Done by St. legislature / 435 seats / Wesburry v. Sanders 1964 / Gerrymandering 800,000 citizens in each district

11th congressional district

2012 congressional districts

14 districts

Term of Congress
Time period of 2 yrs. / Jan. 3rd 112th term / 1789 Each term is divided into sessions

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, tax, courts.

Revenue bills must begin in House.

House can choose the President / 270 electoral votes

Senate handles impeachment trials.

Art.1, sec.8, clause 18 / necessary and proper

Limits to power of Congress

10th amendment- grants reserved powers to the state Supreme Ct.- right to declare acts of congress unconstitutional

Congressional pay
Congressmen-$174,100 Leadership-$193,100 Speaker-$223,500

House of Representatives
More tightly structured, governed by more rules. Party loyalty plays a more important role. Powerful Speaker of the House/comes from majority John Boehner 2010/ voted on every two yrs. / power Party caucuses pick majority and minority leaders. Whips assist party leaders.

House leadership
Majority leader-Rep. Eric Cantor
Represents Republicans on the House floor

Majority whip- Rep. Kevin McCarthy

Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program

Minority leader- Rep. Nancy Pelosi Minority whip- Rep. Steny Hoyer
193 Democrats 242 Republicans

Senate
Vice president is the official presiding officer/Joe Biden Official chair is the president pro tempore / Daniel Inouye True leader is majority leader / also have whips More prestigious than House Has greater powers: ratify treaties / confirm presidential appointments Importance of rules such as filibuster and cloture.

Senate leadership
Majority leader-Sen. Harry Reid Powerful /Represents Democrats on the senate floor Majority whip- Sen. Richard Durbin
Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program

Minority leader-Sen. Mitch McConnell Minority whip-Sen. Jon Kyl

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.

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.

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