Chapter Twelve: Congress 1. Learning Objectives Explain the major functions of Congress, including lawmaking, representation, constituent service, oversight,

Chapter Twelve:

Congress

1

Learning Objectives

Explain the major functions of Congress, including lawmaking, representation, constituent service, oversight, public education, and conflict resolution.

Explain the difference between the trustee and instructed-delegate views of representation.

2

Learning Objectives

Compare the basic differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Explain the process and significance of the filibuster.

Explain redistricting and gerrymandering.

3

Learning Objectives

Explain the types of committees in Congress and what impact committees have on the legislative process:

o Standing committees;o Select committees;o Joint committees; ando Conference committees. 

4

Learning Objectives

Describe the seniority system and its implications for committee work, leadership, and legislating.

Identify the leadership positions in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the Speaker of the House and the majority and minority leaders of both the House and Senate.

5

Learning Objectives

Provide the basic steps by which a bill becomes a law.

Explain the different kinds of vetoes and articulate the roles that congress plays relative to the president.

Explain how the federal budget is developed and the role played by the Office of Management and Budget (OM).

6

The Functions of Congress

LawmakingRepresentationService to ConstituentsOversightPublic EducationConflict-Resolution

7

The Powers of Congress

Enumerated Powers

Necessary and Proper Clause

Checks on Congress

8

House-Senate Differences

Size and RulesDebate and FilibusteringPrestige

9

House-Senate Differences10

House-Senate Differences11

Congressional Elections

Candidates

Congressional Campaigns and Elections

Presidential Effects

Power of Incumbency

12

Congressional Elections13

Congressional Elections14

Congressional Apportionment

Reapportionment : allocation of seats in the House to each state after each census.

Redistricting: redrawing of the boundaries of districts within each state.

Gerrymandering: legislative boundary-drawing tactics by dominant state party that maximizes its electoral strength at the expense of the minority party.

15

Congressional Apportionment16

Congressional Apportionment17

Congressional Apportionment18

Congressional Apportionment19

Congressional Apportionment

Redistricting after the 2000 Census

Minority–majority districts

Constitutional Challenges

20

Perks and Privileges

Permanent Professional StaffsPrivileges and Immunities under the LawCaucuses as a Source of Support

21

The Committee Structure

Types of Committees Standing Committees Select Committees Joint Committees Conference Committees House Rules Committee

22

The Committee Structure23

The Formal Leadership

• The majority party controls the legislative process, including the selection of Congressional leaders.

24

The Formal Leadership

Leadership in the House of Representatives:The Speaker of the House The Majority LeaderThe Minority LeaderWhips

25

The Formal Leadership

Leadership in the Senate:

Vice PresidentMajority LeaderMajority WhipMinority Whip

26

The Formal Leadership27

How Members of Congress Decide

Party membership is a major determinant of how members vote, but it is not the only factor at work.

The Conservative Coalition“Crossing over”Logrolling, Earmarks, and “Pork”

28

How a Bill Becomes a Law

For a bill to become law, it must pass through both houses of Congress

House of Representatives:IntroductionCommittee StageRules Committee Floor Action

29

How a Bill Becomes Law

The procedure in the Senate is similar, but there are no special rules such as those set by the House Rules Committee; the leadership schedules action.

30

How a Bill Becomes Law

Conference committee

The House and Senate vote on the bill as reported by the conference committee.

If it conference version passes both chambers, it is sent to the President.

31

How a Bill Becomes Law32

How Much Will the Government Spend?

Congress Faces the Budget Authorization

Appropriation

Budget Resolutions

33

How Much Will the Government Spend?34

Web Links

United States Congress: To view the schedule of activities taking place in Congress: www.senate.gov. and www.house.gov.

Congressional Budget Office: provides Congress with nonpartisan analyses for economic and budget decisions: www.cbo.gov.

Roll Call: the newspaper of the Capitol that provides an inside view into what’s going on in Washington, D.C.: www.rollcall.com.

35

What If…Pork Were Banned?

Earmark spending, or “pork”, directly helps constituents by adding legislation into projects that create more jobs and generate more profits locally.

Earmarks have increased substantially: In 2009 Congress approved 10,160 earmarks worth $19.6 billion.

36

What If…Pork Were Banned?

Because Congress does not have an unlimited amount of time for debate, eliminating pork might reduce federal spending.

Most spending projects coming before Congress would have to pass through the normal budget process.

37

What If…Pork Were Banned?

The ban may impact logrolling, which could result in less legislation passing Congress.

It could reduce the influence of lobbyists.

Candidates may receive fewer campaign contributions.

38

You Can Make a Difference: Why Should You Care About Congress?

Legislation passed by Congress can directly impact your life.

You can make a difference by voting for representatives that reflect your interests.

39

You Can Make a Difference: Why Should You Care About Congress?

To find out who your members of Congress:

House of Representatives: www.house.gov. U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov.

To track the voting records of members of Congress: www.votesmart.org.

40