Congress: Functions and Structures

Law-Making Function Requires decisions about the size of the federal budget and major issues facing America Through the processes of compromise and logrolling (offering to support a fellow member’s bill in exchange for that member’s promise to support your bill in the future), as well as debate and discussion, backers of legislation attempt to obtain a winning majority

Service to Constituents Individual members of Congress are expected by their constituents to act as brokers between private citizens and the federal government

Representation Function Generally, representation means that the many competing interests in society should be represented in Congress Theories of Representation Trustee – listen to constituent’s opinions and make best judgment on final decisions Delegate – Vote the way constituents want regardless of opinion Politico – Act as trustee or delegate depending on issue (most common)

Oversight Function Oversight of the bureaucracy is essential Oversight is the process by which Congress follows up on the laws it has enacted to ensure that they are being enforced and administered as intended Congress investigates alleged wrongdoing by bureaucratic agencies by:  Holding committee hearings and investigations  Changing the size of an agency’s budget  Cross-examining high-level presidential nominees to head major agencies

Public-Education Function educating the public is a function that is exercised whenever congress holds public hearings, exercises oversight over the bureaucracy, or engages in committee and floor debate  Congress also decides what issues will come up for discussion and decision -- agenda setting – is a major facet of its public education function

Conflict Resolution Function Congress is commonly seen as an institution for resolving conflicts within American society  This puts Congress in the role of trying to resolve differences among competing points of view by passing laws to accommodate as many interested parties as possible

House Structure 435 members plus delegates from Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and Virgin Islands Greater number of formal rules due to size Rules committee establishes time limits and rules for debate for all House bills Committee of the Whole is a committee on which all reps serve. Meets in House Chamber to discuss measures on Union Calendar (money bills). Governed by different procedures. Discharge Petitions - petition signed by the members of the House of Representatives to bring a bill from committee to the floor for consideration – requires absolute majority (218 signatures)

House Leadership Speaker of the House – official leader of majority party in House Presides over House ,official spokesperson for the House, second in line of presidential succession behind VP, House liaison with president Majority Leader - Elected leader of the party controlling the most seats in the House Minority Leader - Elected leader of the party with the second highest number of elected representatives in the House Whips - Keep close contact with all members and take counts on key votes, prepare summaries of bills, etc. Party caucus or conference - A formal gathering of all party members

Senate Structure 100 members – 2 from each state Much looser rules due to smaller size Extended debate allowed on all issues that arise before it Filibuster – unlimited debate to halt action on a particular bill – usually in the form of a prolonged speech Cloture - shutting off discussion on a bill 16 senators must sign a petition requesting it After 2 days have elapsed, 3/5 of the entire membership (60) must vote for cloture. After cloture is invoked, each senator may speak on a bill for a maximum of one-hour before a vote is taken.

Senate Leadership President of the Senate – VP of the U.S. – can vote to break a tie and is rarely present for Senate meetings President Pro Tempore – Presides over Senate in VPs absence Is a member of the majority party with the longest continuous term of service in the Senate. Is mostly a ceremonial position. Majority and Minority Floor Leaders – Most powerful members of Senate. First to be recognized for debate and control scheduling of floor action. Whips – party whips perform same function in Senate as in House