C H A P T E R 10 Congress

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C H A P T E R 10Congress

C H A P T E R 10 CongressSECTION 1The National LegislatureSECTION 2The House of RepresentativesSECTION 3The SenateSECTION 4The Members of Congress

Quotes of the DayThere are two things you dont want to see being madesausage and legislation -- Attributed to Otto von Bismark (1815-1898), Germanys chancellor from 1871-1890.

Suppose you were an idiot. Suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself. Mark Twain, 1891S E C T I O N 1The National LegislatureWhy does the Constitution divide power between the two houses of Congress?What is a term of Congress?How have sessions of Congress changed over time? First Branch of the National GovernmentJames Madison called Congress the first branch of the National Government. He and the other framers thought it so important that Article one is the first and longest of the Constitution.

The Constitution creates a bicameral legislature for three reasons:Two Houses of CongressHistorical: The British Parliament consisted of two houses since the 1300s, and many colonial assemblies were similar in form.Practical: A bicameral legislature was necessary to compromise the Virginia and New Jersey plans of representation. Theoretical: The Framers favored a bicameral Congress in order that one house might act as a check on the other.Equal Representation DebateFor more than 200 years, some people have argued that equal representation of the States in the Senate is undemocratic and be eliminated. Arguments Against Equality:California has 66 times as many people, and an equal number of senators as Wyoming.Arguments For Equality:Those who object to State equality in the Senate ignore the fact that the Senate was created as a body in which the States would be represented as coequal members and partners in the Union. If the States hadnt been represented equally, there might never have been a Constitution.States will never lose equal representation. Would need the States consent to give up its equal suffrage as stated in Article V.

TermsYou know, 535 of you people in Congress meet every two years. There are some of us who think that it would be much better if just two of you met every 535 years.-Female ConstituentThe government has never followed that woman's advice. Every year since 1789, they have met for two-year terms.A term is the length of time that officials serve after an election. New terms begin January 3rd of odd numbered years. 1-3-13Representatives: 2 yearsSenate: 6 yearsSessions of CongressA session is the regular period of time during which Congress conducts business. There are two sessions per term one per year.Congress adjourns, or suspends until the next session, each regular session as it sees fit.If necessary, the President has the power to prorogue, or adjourn, a session, but only when the two houses cannot agree on a date for adjournment. Article II, Section IIIOnly the President may call Congress into a special sessiona meeting to deal with some emergency situation. Truman last to do so. Today, Congress is in session for most of the year so it makes special sessions less likely. Comparative Government: Legislative BodiesChapter 10, Section 1234Section 1 Review1. The practical reason behind establishing a bicameral legislature was(a) the necessity to find compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia plans.(b) the need to mimic existing British institutions.(c) a desire to break from all tradition.(d) requirements set by the British monarchy.

2. Special sessions of Congress (a) are called by the President to deal with some emergency situation.(b) are called whenever a senator filibusters.(c) are never called.(d) are used to handle the everyday business of Congress. S E C T I O N 2The House of RepresentativesWhat are the size and terms of the House of Representatives?How are House seats reapportioned among the States after each census?How can we describe a typical congressional election and congressional district?What are the formal and informal qualifications for serving in the House? Size and TermsThe exact size of the House of Representatives, currently at 435 members, is determined by Congress (NOT Constitution).The Constitution provides that the total number of seats in the House shall be apportioned (distributed) among the States on the basis of their respective populations.Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.

Although there have been recent movements to limit terms, there are no limits set on the number of terms a representative may serve.ReapportionmentArticle I of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportionredistributethe seats in the House after each census (10 years, 2010).The size of the House of Representation rests at 435 members. Today each member represents 710,000.

Michigan has lost reps in recent years. Other States have gained reps (TX)Current ApportionmentChapter 10, Section 2

Winners and Losers

Michigans Congressional Districts

Michigans 6th District

Congressional ElectionsCongressional elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year (2014 is next).Off-year elections are those congressional elections held between presidential elections (2014).

Districts and GerrymanderingUnder the single-member district arrangement, the voters in each district elect one of the States representatives (6th District Fred Upton)Districts that have unusual shapes or even defy description have sometimes been gerrymandered.Gerrymandering refers to the act of drawing congressional districts to the advantage of the political party that controls the State legislature.

Gerrymandering Video for Review

Michigans State Legislature The State Version of the U.S. Congress (NOT to be Confused with the National Legislature!)

Senate: 38House of Representatives: 110Single-member election districtsSenateRepublican: 59Democrat: 50Independent: 1Single-member election districtsHouse of Reps

Above data as of 2013 We will discuss State legislatures in depth later in the semester.The Legislature meets in the Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan.Example of Gerrymandering

Another Example of Gerrymandering

In this example, the more even distribution is on the left and the gerrymandering is on the right.Michigans Federal Congressional Districts Before 2010

Can you gerrymander?

Copy the map above three times.This state should have 4 districts. Gerrymander for Reps.Gerrymander for Dems.Redistrict fairly

Can You Gerrymander Key

Results of GerrymanderingReelection rates for members of Congress hover around 90 percent.Gerrymandering is just one of the reasons for reelection success. Other reasons are that incumbents tend to get all of the donations from PACs because donors expect the incumbent to win.Some have proposed to outlaw gerrymandering.Qualifications for House MembersThe Constitution says that a member of the House (1) must be at least 25 years of age (2) must have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years, and(3) must have been an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected.The realities of politics also require some informal qualifications, such as party identification, name familiarity, gender, ethnic characteristics, and political experience.Section 2 Review1. Members of the House of Representatives are elected for (a) two-year terms.(b) six-year terms.(c) four-year terms.(d) five-year terms.

2. The Constitution requires a member of Congress to be(a) an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected.(b) a property-owning male.(c) a natural-born citizen.(d) at least 40 years of age.Chapter 10, Section 3 - The SenateHow does the size of the Senate differ from the size of the House?How have States elected senators in the past and present?How and why does a senators term differ from a representatives term?What are the qualifications for serving in the Senate?A More Prestigious HouseWhich of these two colleges is probably more prestigious: a large college thats fairly easy to get into or a small college with higher entrance entrance standards?The Senate A More Prestigious HouseThe upper-house of the bicameral legislature is considered more prestigious. 1/3 of the Senate had previously served in the House. The founders hoped that the Senate would be a more enlightened and responsible body than the house.Framers reinforced this by giving the Senate longer terms, and making requirements a cut above the House.

It is indispensable that besides the House of Representatives which runs on all fours with popular sentiment, we should have a body like the Senate which may refuse to run with it at all when it seems to be wrong - a body which has time and security enough to keep its head, if only now and then and but for a little while, till other people have had time to think.-Woodrow Wilson

Size, Election, and TermsThe Constitution says that the Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State. Todays Senate consists of 100 Senators (50 States).In 1912 the Seventeenth Amendment was passed and called for the popular election of senators in November (originally chosen by State Legislatures).Only 1 Senator is elected from each State in any given election, except upon a vacancy.Senators serve for six-year terms (no term limit).The Senate is a continuous body, meaning that all of its seats are never up for election at the same time. Only 1/3 expire every 2 years.

Before, the 17th Amendment (1912), Senators used to be called the millionaires club because they could essentially buy their way into office. Rich leaders at time were able to buy their seat in the Senate.Why Six Year Terms?More job security (prestige)Less subject to the pressures of public opinion and less susceptible to the pleas of special interests than are House members.The larger size of their constituencies the people and interests the senators represent allows them to focus less on interests of specific small localities and more on the big picture of national interest ex: healthcare, social security. Michigans 2 Senators

Carl Levin will retire in 2014Debbie Stabenow not up for reelection until 2018 Spotlight More Likely than House

Past and present Senators have usually been more in the spotlight than the House members.

Qualifications for SenatorsThe requirements for the U.S. Senate are higher than for the House of Representatives.The Constitution says that a Senator (1) must be at least 30 years of age, (2) must have been a citizen of the United States for at least nine years, and(3) must be an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected.

Exclusions and Punishments Like the House, the Senate judges the qualifications of its members, and may exclude a member by majority vote.The Senate may also punish its members for disorderly behavior by majority vote and expel a member by two thirds vote.15 members have been expelled (2/3 vote). 14 during the Civil War, all of which supported secession. The other in 1797 for conspiring to lead Native American tribes in an attack against Florida.

Bob Packwood was last to resign for bad behavior in 1991Section 3 Review1. Senators are elected for (a) two-year terms.(b) eight-year terms.(c) four-year terms.(d) six-year terms.

2. The Senate is a continuous body, meaning that(a) Senators must continually reside in Washington, D.C.(b) all of its seats are always up for election every six years.(c) it never adjourns.(d) all of its seats are never up for election at one time.S E C T I O N 4The Members of CongressWhat are the personal and political backgrounds of the current members of Congress?What are the duties of the job of serving in Congress?How are members of Congress compensated, and what privileges do they have?Who Are They?The average is a white male in his early 50sThere are 98 women in Congress most ever60% are Protestant, 30% Catholic, 7% JewishWell over half are lawyersNOT a significant cross section of the nations population. Rather, it is made up of upper-middle class Americans, who are, on the whole, quite able and hard-working people.

Profile of the 107th CongressProfile of the 113th Congress - 2013

53 Democrats45 Republicans2 Independents231 Republicans200 Democrats4 vacant

Longest Serving Member of CongressJohn Dingell, Democrat, of Michigans 12th District, U.S. House of Representatives Has served for 57 years and is the longest serving member of Congress in history.

Representatives of the PeopleSenators and representatives are elected to represent people. As legislators, they have four voting options:

Committee Membership and Public ServantsAs committee members, senators and representatives screen proposed laws before they are voted on.

Members of the House and the Senate also act as servants of their constituents.Requests from voters vary widely, and members of Congress take heed to many of them. Ignoring their constituencies would not bode well in the next election.Franking PrivilegeEach member is given funds for hiring staff for operation costs related to running those offices. The franking privilege is a well-known benefit that allows them to mail letter and other materials postage free by substituting their signature (frank) for the postage.So they can communicate freely with constituents

PayToday, senators and representatives are paid a salary of $174,000 or more a year. The Constitution says that Congress fixes its own compensation. Therefore, the only real limits to congressional pay are the Presidents veto and fear of voter backlash against a pay increase (27th Amendment stated that Congress could set pay for next term, not current term).

Membership PrivilegesThe Speech and Debate Clause (Article I, Section 6, Clause 1) protects representatives and senators from suits for libel or slander arising from their official conduct (they can say what they want about each other).The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.Membership PrivilegesMembers of Congress are immune from arrest for noncriminal offenses while engaged in congressional business. Originally put in Constitution to keep members of Congress from arrest for unpopular political views.Section 4 Review1. Which of the following is a major role of members of Congress?(a) law enforcement(b) servant of their constituents(c) serving in the military(d) researching court cases