Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning CONGRESS Chapter Eleven Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Learning Outcomes 1. Describe the major powers of the Congress as granted by the Constitution. 2. Explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate with regard to their constituencies, terms of office, powers and political processes. 3. Describe the processes of reapportionment and redistricting. 2 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Learning Outcomes 4. Discuss the importance of committees to the lawmaking process and to the ability of members of the Congress to do their jobs. 5. Describe the leadership structure in each house of Congress, noting the differences between the House and the Senate. 6. Demonstrate how a bill becomes a law and explain how the different processes in the House and the Senate influence legislating. 3 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Functions of Congress Lawmaking Representation Service to constituents Oversight Public education Conflict-resolution 4 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Functions of Congress Representation function: Often at variance with lawmaking function Trustee view of representation Instructed-delegate view of representation Politico style (combination) 5 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Functions of Congress Service to constituents: Casework and hillstyle Ombudsperson role Oversight function: Committee hearings and investigations Budgeting Nomination review Special commissions 6 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Functions of Congress Public-education function: Public hearings Bureaucracy oversight Debate on major issues Conflict-resolution function: Resolves societal conflicts Interest groups seek help to resolve grievances 7 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Powers of Congress Enumerated Powers Right to collect taxes and spend Regulate commerce Power to declare war Necessary and Proper Clause Checks on Congress Presidential veto Supreme Court Elections House vs. Senate bills 8 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning House-Senate Differences Size and rules House = 435 representatives; more formal rules Senate = 100 senators; looser procedures Debate and filibustering Senate has filibuster and cloture Prestige Senators generally enjoy more recognition and prestige 9 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Differences between the House and the Senate 10 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Congresspersons and the Citizenry: A Comparison Compared to average Americans, members of Congress are: Older Disproportionately white and male High-status occupations Wealthy But gender and ethnic diversity increasing 11 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Characteristics of the 112 th Congress, Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Congressional Elections Elections decentralized: conducted by state governments according to federal guidelines One-third of seats chosen every two years Territories/Washington DC nonvoting delegates Candidates May be self-selected or recruited by party Average cost $1.4 million for House, $9.7 million for Senate Presidential coattails (if president popular) 13 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Midterm Gains and Losses by the Party of the President, Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Power of Incumbency 15 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Congressional Apportionment Reapportionment : allocation of seats in the House to each state after each census Redistricting: redrawing of boundaries of districts within each state Gerrymandering 16 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Original Gerrymander 17 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Congressional Apportionment Redistricting after 2010 Census Controlled mostly by Republicans Packing and cracking Nonpartisan redistricting Predominantly by county More competitive Minority-majority districts Constitutional challenges 18 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The First Congressional District of Ohio 19 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Congressional Districts of Iowa 20 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Fourth Congressional District of Illinois 21 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Perks and Privileges Permanent professional staffs Privileges and immunities Caucuses: another source of support Party caucuses most important Other examples: Democratic Study Group Rust Belt Caucus Congressional Womens Caucus 22 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Committee Structure Power of committees Little legislatures Chairpersons have significant authority Schedule hearings and formal action on bill Determine which committees act on legislation Discharge petitions 23 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Committee Structure Types of committees Standing Committees Select Committees Joint Committees Conference Committees House Rules Committee Selection of committee members Appointed Seniority system (informal process) 24 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Standing Committees of the 112th Congress, Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Formal Leadership House Leadership The Speaker Majority Leader Minority Leader Whips Senate Leadership Vice President President pro tempore Majority Leader Minority Leader Whips Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 26 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning Leadership in the Senate 27 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning How Members of Congress Decide Party membership is major determinant of how members vote, but not the only factor Conservative coalition Crossing over Logrolling, earmarks, and pork 28 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning How Members of Congress Decide How a bill becomes law Must pass through both houses of Congress Money bills must start in the House Similar steps in both chambers Study, discussion, hearings, markup Scheduling and debate Conference committees Joint resolutions 29 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning How a Bill Becomes Law Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning How Much Will the Government Spend? Preparing the budget Fiscal year cycle (October 1 September 30) Office of Management and Budget Congress faces the budget Authorization Appropriation Budget resolutions 31 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning The Budget Cycle 32