Congress

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Congress
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Congress in the Constitution

• 1776
• Did the Founders consider Congress to be of great
  or little importance?
• Which Article?
• How much attention in the Constitution?

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Functions of Congress

• Representation
• Trustee
• Elected based on Voters confidence in his values
  and judgment
• Voters expect them to use their judgment
• Delegate
• Elected but expected to vote just as his
  constituents would if they were polled
• Which do you Prefer?
• Which did the Founders expect or prefer?

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Functions of Congress

• Compromise and Consensus-building
• Oversight and Investigation
• Hearings on mismanaged laws
• Hearings on scandal or law violations
• Policy Clarification

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Functions of Congress SENATE

• Confirming Appointments
• Federal Judges
• Ambassadors
• Cabinet members and others
• Ratifying
• Treaties with foreign nations
• Treaties with international organizations

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Functions of Congress

• Lawmaking
• From Idea to Law
• (How a bill becomes a law)

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Speaker of ? the House ?
?Senate ?leadership
Amendments must be Germane
Generally Closed Rule, Limited debate/ No
amendments
Filibuster Possible
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Structure of Congress

• Committees
• Rules VS Norms

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U.S. House VS U.S. Senate
435 Members 100 Members
2-year term 6-year term
Districts W/ Equal Populations Represent whole state
Limited Debate Unlimited Debate Filibuster possible
Rigid Rules Flexible Norms
Powerful Speaker Weak President (pro tem)
Concentration of power among committee chairs Egalitarian dispersion of power
No Amendments on floor Amendments from the floor common
No non-germane amendments Non-germane amendments possible
Originates Tax or Spending Bills Ratifies Treaties Confirms Appointments
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Stuff to think about

• Who is in Congress?
• How do Congress Members decide
• Fragmentation in Congress
• Coordination in Congress