Congress

Chapter 13Chapter 13
CongressCongress

Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage
 WHO GOVERNS?WHO GOVERNS?
1.1. Are members of CongressAre members of Congress
representative of the American people?representative of the American people?
2.2. Does Congress normally do what mostDoes Congress normally do what most
citizens want it to do?citizens want it to do?
 TO WHAT ENDS?TO WHAT ENDS?
1.1. Should Congress run under strongShould Congress run under strong
leadership?leadership?
2.2. Should Congress act more quickly?Should Congress act more quickly?

Congress versus ParliamentCongress versus Parliament
 CongressCongress
• Independent representatives of theirIndependent representatives of their
districts or statesdistricts or states
• Principle work is representation andPrinciple work is representation and
actionaction
 ParliamentParliament
• Loyal to national party leadershipLoyal to national party leadership
• Principle work is debatePrinciple work is debate

1891, 1895–1899) (left), Joseph G. Cannon (1903–1911) (center), and Sam1891, 1895–1899) (left), Joseph G. Cannon (1903–1911) (center), and Sam
Rayburn (1941–1947, 1949–1953, 1955–1961) (right). Reed put an end to aRayburn (1941–1947, 1949–1953, 1955–1961) (right). Reed put an end to a
filibuster in the House by refusing to allow dilatory motions and by counting asfilibuster in the House by refusing to allow dilatory motions and by counting as
“present”—for purposes of a quorum—members in the House even though they“present”—for purposes of a quorum—members in the House even though they
were not voting. Cannon further enlarged the Speaker’s power by refusing towere not voting. Cannon further enlarged the Speaker’s power by refusing to
recognize members who wished to speak without Cannon’s approval and byrecognize members who wished to speak without Cannon’s approval and by
increasing the power of the Rules Committee, over which he presided. Cannon wasincreasing the power of the Rules Committee, over which he presided. Cannon was
stripped of much of his power in 1910. Rayburn’s influence rested more on hisstripped of much of his power in 1910. Rayburn’s influence rested more on his
ability to persuade than on his formal powers. p. 316ability to persuade than on his formal powers. p. 316
Library of Congress
Library of Congress AP/Wide World Photos

The Evolution of CongressThe Evolution of Congress
 Bicameral (twoBicameral (two
chamber) legislaturechamber) legislature
 House ofHouse of
RepresentativesRepresentatives
 SenateSenate
 Centralization vs.Centralization vs.
decentralizationdecentralization
One of the most powerful
Speakers of the House, Henry
Clay, is shown here addressing
the U. S. Senate around 1850.
p. 318
Library of Congress

A cartoon from Puck in 1890 expressed popular resentmentA cartoon from Puck in 1890 expressed popular resentment
over the “Millionaires Club,” as the Senate had become known. p. 320over the “Millionaires Club,” as the Senate had become known. p. 320
New York Public Library

Who is in Congress?Who is in Congress?
 Sex and RaceSex and Race
 IncumbencyIncumbency
• Marginal districtsMarginal districts
• Safe districtsSafe districts
 PartyParty

Source: Congressional Quarterly, various years.

When the Democrats regainedWhen the Democrats regained
control of the House, the verycontrol of the House, the very
liberal John Conyers (ADAliberal John Conyers (ADA
score = 100%) becamescore = 100%) became
chairman of the Housechairman of the House
Judiciary Committee in placeJudiciary Committee in place
of the very conservativeof the very conservative
James Sensenbrenner (ADAJames Sensenbrenner (ADA
score = 10%). p. 322score = 10%). p. 322
Marcy Kaptur (D., OH)Marcy Kaptur (D., OH)
discusses the war ondiscusses the war on
terrorism in front of theterrorism in front of the
capitol. p. 322capitol. p. 322
Stefan Zaklin/EPA/Corbis
AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

Figure 13.1 Percentage ofFigure 13.1 Percentage of
Incumbents Reelected to CongressIncumbents Reelected to Congress
Source: Harold W. Stanley and Richard G. Niemi,Source: Harold W. Stanley and Richard G. Niemi, Vital Statistics on American Politics, 1999–2000Vital Statistics on American Politics, 1999–2000
(Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly(Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2000), table 1-18; 2004 update by Marc Siegal.Press, 2000), table 1-18; 2004 update by Marc Siegal.

Do Members Represent TheirDo Members Represent Their
Voters?Voters?
 Representational view–Representational view–
members vote to pleasemembers vote to please
their constituentstheir constituents
 Organizational View–Organizational View–
members vote to pleasemembers vote to please
fellow members of Congressfellow members of Congress
 Attitudinal View–Attitudinal View–membersmembers
vote on the basis of theirvote on the basis of their
own beliefsown beliefs
Keith Ellison (D.,Keith Ellison (D.,
MN), the firstMN), the first
Muslim electedMuslim elected
to Congress. p.to Congress. p.
325325
Craig Lassig/EPA/Corbis

A Polarized CongressA Polarized Congress
 A more ideological perspective hasA more ideological perspective has
been brought to Congress.been brought to Congress.
 Congress’ most liberal members areCongress’ most liberal members are
Democrats.Democrats.
 Congress’ most conservativeCongress’ most conservative
members are Republicans.members are Republicans.
 Voters are closer to the center ofVoters are closer to the center of
political spectrum.political spectrum.

The Organization of Congress:The Organization of Congress:
Parties and CaucusesParties and Caucuses
 Party Organization ofParty Organization of
the Senatethe Senate
 Party Structure in theParty Structure in the
HouseHouse
 The Strength of PartyThe Strength of Party
StructuresStructures
 Party UnityParty Unity
 CaucusesCaucuses
Nancy Pelosi, the first woman
to serve as House Speaker. p.
331
Zach Seckler/Corbis

Figure 13.3 The U.S. CongressFigure 13.3 The U.S. Congress

Source: U.S. House of Representatives, 2009.Source: U.S. House of Representatives, 2009.

CommitteesCommittees
 Standing CommitteesStanding Committees
 Select CommitteesSelect Committees
 Joint CommitteesJoint Committees
 Conference CommitteesConference Committees
 HouseHouse
 SenateSenate

Staff and Specialized OfficesStaff and Specialized Offices
 Tasks of Staff MembersTasks of Staff Members
 Staff AgenciesStaff Agencies
• Congressional Research Service (CRS)Congressional Research Service (CRS)
• General Accounting Office (GAO)General Accounting Office (GAO)
• Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)
• Congressional Budget Office (CBO)Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

How a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a Law
 Introducing a BillIntroducing a Bill
 Legislative ProductivityLegislative Productivity
 Study by CommitteeStudy by Committee
 Floor Debate – The HouseFloor Debate – The House
 Floor Debate – The SenateFloor Debate – The Senate
 Methods of VotingMethods of Voting

How a BillHow a Bill
Becomes aBecomes a
LawLaw

Reducing Power and PerksReducing Power and Perks
 Pork-BarrelPork-Barrel
LegislationLegislation
 FrankingFranking
PrivilegesPrivileges
p. 350 Cartoon by Mark Cullum/The Birmingham
News. Reprinted with permission.

M E M O R A N D U MM E M O R A N D U M
To:To: Representative Peter SkerryRepresentative Peter Skerry
From:From: Martha Bayles, legislative aideMartha Bayles, legislative aide
Subject:Subject: The Size of the House of RepresentativesThe Size of the House of Representatives
The House can decide how big it wishes to be. When it wasThe House can decide how big it wishes to be. When it was
created, there was one representative for every 30,000created, there was one representative for every 30,000
people. Now there is one for every 600,000. In most otherpeople. Now there is one for every 600,000. In most other
democracies, each member of parliament represents fardemocracies, each member of parliament represents far
fewer than 600,000 people. Doubling the size of the Housefewer than 600,000 people. Doubling the size of the House
may be a way of avoiding term limits.may be a way of avoiding term limits.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Arguments for:Arguments for:
1. Doubling the size of the House would reduce the huge1. Doubling the size of the House would reduce the huge
demand for constituent services each member now faces.demand for constituent services each member now faces.
2. A bigger House would represent more shades of opinion2. A bigger House would represent more shades of opinion
more fairly.more fairly.
3. Each member could raise less campaign money because his3. Each member could raise less campaign money because his
or her campaign would be smaller.or her campaign would be smaller.

Arguments against:Arguments against:
1. A bigger House would be twice as hard to manage, and it1. A bigger House would be twice as hard to manage, and it
would take even longer to pass legislation.would take even longer to pass legislation.
2. Campaigns in districts of 300,000 people would cost as2. Campaigns in districts of 300,000 people would cost as
much as ones in districts with 600,000 people.much as ones in districts with 600,000 people.
3. Interest groups do a better job of representing public3. Interest groups do a better job of representing public
opinion than would a House with more members.opinion than would a House with more members.

Your decision:Your decision:
Increase size of House?Increase size of House?
Do not increase size of House?Do not increase size of House?

Congress

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