The
Evolution of Congress
not all powers too concentrated
bicameral- two chamber
struggles
within Congress over significant issues
centralization
vs. Decentralization
strength of political parties, in
some states
The Period of the Founding
Congress
began to assert independence
Party caucus
Decline of the House
Jackson-
power of the president
nominating
conventions instead of caucus
House unified by a common,
anti-South view
The Importance of the Senate
Senate growing in stature- foreign
affairs
legislatures,
not voters
Rise of Party control in the House
Reward supporters
Punish opponents
Decentralization of the House
Party caucus
Rules Committee
Chairman
of standing committees
Recent Changes in the House
60s/70s-
power of individuals
Importance
of committees and Congressional offices
Democratization of the Senate
“Millionaires
Club”
17th Amendment- direct
election of Senators
filibuster- prolonged speech to kill a
bill
Rule 22- cloture motion
Who
is in Congress?
White Protestant male lawyer
Sex and Race- Small number of women, blacks and hispanics
Incumbency
Around 1800- more than 50% serving
their first term
Now- average of four or more terms
Party- members do not always vote in accordance with their
party, though
Getting
Elected to Congress
Determining Fair Representation
Malapportionment- unequal district sizes
Gerrymandering- oddly shaped districts
(to get all of a single party, etc.)
Winning the Primary
gather enough signatures to get on
the ballot
sophomore surge- new members quickly
becoming strong
incumbents
use the benefits of their office to become reelected
party leaders have only a weak
influence
strong ties to local concerns
The
Organization of Congress: Parties and
Interests
Party Organization of the Senate
president
pro tem chosen from majority party- often person with most seniority
majority
leader / minority leader
whip-
relates between party leaders and party members
Democratic-
Steering Committee
Republican-
Committee on Committees
ideological
and regional balance
Party Structure of the House
More powerful leadership than the
Senate
Speaker
very important- recognizes those to speak, controls rules, etc.
Party Voting
Recently,
very low
Parties do not control elections
Caucuses- associations for the
advancement of a political ideology
Democratic
Study Group- liberal democrats
Conservative
Democratic Forum
Wednesday
Group- Republican, meets on Wednesdays
State Delegations
Specialized
Caucuses
The
Organization of Congress: Committees
standing
committee-
permanent
select
committee-
temporary for a particular issue
joint
committee-
members of both chambers of Congress
conference
committee-
similar to joint committee
The
Organization of Congress: Staffs and
Specialized Offices
Tasks of Staff Members- service requests of Congressman
Staff Agencies
Congressional
Research Service
General Accounting Office
Office of Technology Assessment
Congressional
Budget Office
How
a Bill Becomes a Law
Introducing a Bill
House- drop in hopper
Senate- be recognized by an officer
Public- general interest
Private- interests a certain group
Pending legislation does not carry
from one Congress to the next
Simple
resolution, Concurrent resolution,
Joint resolution
Study by Committees
all tax bills come from the House
multiple referral- study by more than
one committee
discharge petition- 218 members- bypass
committee and bring bill to floor
open rule- permits amendments
Restrictive
Rule- restricts amendments
Floor Debate- The House- Quorum is 100 members
Floor Debate- The Senate
not as many rules as the House
filibusters
(cloture movements)
double
tracking- shelving a bill in order to move on
Methods of Voting
Voice
vote- Aye/No
Standing vote- all in favor stand up
Teller
Vote/Role Call- Call each name, say Aye, No, Present
Differences
between House bill and Seante bill must be resolved
How
Members of Congress Vote
Representational- in accordance with the views of constituents
Organizational- cues by colleagues
Attitudinal- liberal or conservative (conservative coalition)
Ethics
and Congress- tends to favor those with inherited wealth
“Senatorial courtesy”
Divided power means divided responsibility
Ethics Rules: Disclosures, Honoraria, Campaign Funds, Lobbying, Gifts, Free
Travel