Chapter 9 The Congress
Chapter 9 The Congress
Why was Congress Created? founders feared tyrannical rulers founders also had experienced the weakness of the congress under the Articles of Confederation bicameralism attempts to balance the power among large and small states
Why was Congress Created? • founders feared tyrannical rulers • founders also had experienced the weakness of the congress under the Articles of Confederation • bicameralism attempts to balance the power among large and small states
The Powers of Congress Enumerated powers come from Article I section 8 of the Constitution control of money regulation of trade beyond state borders regulation of military defining the court structure Implied powers come from the necessary and proper clause come from the Supreme Court s ruling in McCulloch v Maryland allows Congress to enact laws that may assist the Congress in accomplishing goals directly related to the enumerated power
The Powers of Congress Enumerated powers • come from Article I, section 8 of the Constitution • control of money • regulation of trade beyond state borders • regulation of military • defining the court structure Implied powers • come from the necessary and proper clause • come from the Supreme Court’s ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland allows Congress to enact laws that may assist the Congress in accomplishing goals directly related to the enumerated power
The Functions of Congress ° lawmaking constituent service(casework) ° representing as a trustee as an instructed delegate as a combination of roles oversight public education conflict resolution
The Functions of Congress • lawmaking • constituent service (casework) • representing • as a trustee • as an instructed delegate • as a combination of roles • oversight • public education • conflict resolution
Ditferences between the house and the HOUSE SENATE Members chosen from local districts Members chosen from an entire state Two-year term SIX-y ear term Originally elected by voters Originally(until 1913) elected by state legislatures May impeach(indict) federal officials May convict federal officials of impeachable offenses Larger(435 voting members) Smaller(100 members) More formal rules Fewer rules and restrictions Debate limited Debate extended Less prestige and less individual notice More prestige and more media attention Originates bills for raising revenues Has power to advise the president on, and to consent to, presidential appointments and treaties Local or narrow leadersh p National leadership More partisan Less party loyalty s Some of these differences, such as the term of office, are provided for in the Constitution. Others, such as debate rules are not
Differences Between the House and the Senate HOUSE* SENATE* Members chosen from local districts Two-year term Originally elected by voters May impeach (indict) federal officials Larger (435 voting members) More formal rules Debate limited Less prestige and less individual notice Originates bills for raising revenues Local or narrow leadership More partisan Members chosen from an entire state Six-year term Originally (until 1913) elected by state legislatures May convict federal officials of impeachable offenses Smaller (100 members) Fewer rules and restrictions Debate extended More prestige and more media attention Has power to advise the president on, and to consent to, presidential appointments and treaties National leadership Less party loyalty * Some of these differences, such as the term of office, are provided for in the Constitution. Others, such as debate rules, are not
Comparing Congresspersons and the Citizenry TABLE 9-1 Characteristics of the 108th Congress, 2003-2005 U.S. POPULATION CHARACTERISTIC (2000) HOuSE SENATE Age(median) 35.3 54.0 59.5 Percentage minority 24.9 154 Religion Percentage church members 610 984 Percentage roman cathol 390 28.5 Percentage protestant 560 56.6 Percentage Jewish 60 Percentage female 14.3 14 Percentage with college degrees 25.1 920 Occupation Percentage with law degrees 2.8 41.0 Percentage blue-coll ar worker 20.1 Family income Percentage of families earning over $50,000 annually 220 1000 Personal wealth Percentage of population with assets over $1 million 0.7 160 33 * Estimates based on 2000 census 107th Congress
Comparing Congresspersons and the Citizenry
Congressional elections operated by individual state governments House of representatives elected every two years by popular ballot number of seats is determined by population each state has at least one representative each district has about a half million residents U.S. Senate elected every six years by popular ballot(since ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment one third of the senate is elected every two years each state has two Senators
Congressional Elections • operated by individual state governments • House of Representatives – elected every two years by popular ballot – number of seats is determined by population – each state has at least one representative – each district has about a half million residents • U.S. Senate – elected every six years – by popular ballot (since ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment) – one third of the Senate is elected every two years – each state has two Senators
Congressional Reapportionment reapportionment -the allocations of seats in the House of Representatives to each state after each census VS redistricting-the redrawing of the boundaries of the districts within each state ° gerrymandering minority-majority districts
Congressional Reapportionment reapportionment – the allocations of seats in the House of Representatives to each state after each census vs. redistricting – the redrawing of the boundaries of the districts within each state • gerrymandering • minority-majority districts
The First"Gerrymander FORD\ NA ANDOVER LEY FIELD MAL LYNN ELSEA SOURCE: Congressional Quarterly 's Guide to Congress, 3d ed. Washington, D.C. Congressional Quarterly Press 1982),p.695
The First “Gerrymander
The Committee Structure of Congress standing committees select committees ° Joint committees o conference committees
The Committee Structure of Congress • standing committees • select committees • joint committees • conference committees
