CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE

CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE

in Congress

Life in Congress

Public Influence on Congress

Political Process in Congress

Lawmakers’ Motivations

The Media and Congress’ Image Problem

Congress’s Image Problem

Congress’s Place in Our Constitutional System

• Bicameralism – The system of having two chambers within one legislative body, like the House and the Senate in the U.S. Congress.

Two-year terms in the House Six-year terms in the Senate

Women and Minorities in Congress

Fenno’s Concentric Circles

The Job of a Member of Congress

Congressional Behavior and Voter Behavior• Voters are typically not informed enough to

monitor their representatives. • However, members of Congress behave as

if voters were fully informed, because any issue might become salient in the next election.

Understanding Congressional (In)action

• Gridlock – An inability to enact legislation because of partisan conflict within Congress or between Congress and the President.

• Electoral Connection – The idea that congressional behavior is centrally motivated by members’ desire for reelection.

North Carolina Redistricting, 1992

Origins of the Incumbency Advantage

• Gerrymandering – Attempting to use the process of redrawing district boundaries to benefit a political party, protect incumbents, or change the proportion of minority voters in a district.

House Incumbency Reelection Rates, 1948–2010

Senate Incumbency Reelection Rates, 1948–2010

Elections and Member Behavior

• Home style: A Congressperson’s way of relating to their district

• Many Congresspeople are called the “Tuesday-to-Thursday club” because they spend so little time in Washington.

• Do these Congresspeople spend too much time at home? Should they spend more time in Washington?

The Responsibility–Responsiveness Dilemma

Casework (“Constituency Service”)• Franking privilege – Congresspeople’s privilege of

sending mail to constituents at no cost– Acting as a go-between for citizens and a large federal

bureaucracy is a mainstay of a Congressperson’s “constituency service.”

– Do you think this work is more important or less important than debates on the floor of the House or Senate?

Constituency Service• Casework – Assistance provided by members of

Congress to their constituents in solving problems with the federal bureaucracy or addressing specific concerns

Representative Tammy Baldwin at Edgewood High School

Explaining Incumbency Advantage• How can members promote reelection chances

within the institution of Congress?– Advertising – Actions that are unrelated to government

issues but have the primary goal of making a positive impression on the public, like sending holiday cards to constituents and appearing in parades.

– Credit Claiming – When a member of Congress takes credit for legislation that specifically benefits his constituents

– Position Taking – Any public statement in which a member of Congress makes her views on an issue known to her constituents.

Informal Norms

•Universalism: As many districts as possible should reap rewards or legislative benefits•Reciprocity (logrolling): “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine”

Informal Norms (continued)• Specialization: Members become experts

on specific issues; this helps members claim credit

• Seniority: Maintains order and helps incumbents win reelection

The Structure of Congress

• The Speaker, Majority Leaders, and Whips are decided by straight party-line vote.

Party Votes in Congress, 1962–2009

Party Unity in Congress, 1962–2009

The Committee System• Standing Committee - Committees that are a permanent party

of the House or Senate structure, holding more importance and authority than other committees.

• Select Committee – Committees in the House or Senate created to address a specific issue for one or two terms.

• Joint Committee - Committees that contain members of both the House and Senate but have limited authority.

• Conference Committee - Temporary committees created to negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation that has passed through both chambers.

Congressional Staff, 1935–2005

Congressional Rules• Open Rules – Conditions placed on a legislative

debate by the house Rules Committee allowing the addition of relevant amendments to a bill.

• Closed Rules – Conditions placed on a legislative debate by the House Rules Committee prohibiting the addition of amendments to a bill

• Modified rules – Conditions placed on a legislative debate by the House Rules Committee allowing certain amendments to a bill while barring others.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Oversight

Why does Congress look the way it does?

• The House Floor is frequently empty during debate

• Members rush in from other parts of the building—where they are doing legislative and campaign work—when it is time to vote

Reforming Congress• Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (AKA “McCain-Feingold

law”) – A 2002 act that banned “soft money” (contributions to political parties’ campaign committees), raised the donation limit on “hard money” (donations directly to candidates), limited independent issue ads before an election, and increased disclosure requirements.

• Opponents of BCRA argued that it was unconstitutional while many supporters said it didn’t go far enough (they prefer publicly financed campaigns).

• Most of it was upheld but part was struck down by the Supreme Court.

Comparing Ourselves To Others

Public Opinion PollDo you approve or disapprove of the way Congress

is handling its job?

a) Strongly approveb) Approvec) Disapproved) Strongly disapprove

Public Opinion PollDo you approve or disapprove of the way your

member of Congress is handling his or her job?

a) Strongly approveb) Approvec) Disapproved) Strongly disapprove

Public Opinion PollDo you believe we should have term limits for

members of Congress?

a) Yesb) No

Public Opinion PollDo you believe state legislatures should consider

the racial makeup of a district when redistricting?

a) Yesb) No

Public Opinion PollDo you think it is important that the demographics of

Congress represent the social, racial, and economic demographics of the country?

a) Yesb) No

Public Opinion PollWhen members of Congress cast a vote, which of

the following factors should typically most influence their decision?

a) The interests of the country as a wholeb) The interests of their district or state

Public Opinion PollWhich of the following do you believe should be the

most influential factor in the voting decisions of members of Congress?

a) The preferences of their constituentsb) The preferences of the presidentc) The preferences of the members’ party leadershipd) The members’ own ideology

Chapter 10: Congress

• Practice quizzes

• Flashcards

• Outlines

wwnorton.com/studyspace

Following this slide, you will find additional slides with photos, figures, and captions from the textbook.

Taking Care of the Fans

Congress’s Place in Our Constitutional System

Congress and the People

The Structure of Congress

Scott Brown winning Senate seat

Party versus Principle

Polarization in Congress