Longman PoliticalScienceInteractive Magleby & Light Government by the People Chapter 11 Congress: The People’s Branch Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

The People’s Branch The federal government did not become involved in providing access to college until Congress passed the “G.I. Bill” in 1944 Over the next 50 years, Congress and the president expanded the loan system to make a college/university education almost universally accessible Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Congressional Elections “Members of Congress run for Congress by running against Congress. The strategy is ubiquitous, addictive, cost-free, and foolproof…. In the short run, everybody plays and nearly everybody wins. Yet the institution bleeds from 435 separate cuts.” -Richard F. Fenno Jr. Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Who Elects the Congress Apportionment Malapportionment The allocation of legislative seats to jurisdictions based on population. Seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are apportioned to the states on the basis of their population after every ten-year census. Unequal numbers of people in legislative districts resulting in inequality of voter representation. Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Reapportionment, 2000 Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

The Original Gerrymander Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Packing Lumping opposition voters in one area Gerrymandering Packing Lumping opposition voters in one area Cracking Splitting up groups of voters so they do not constitute a majority in any district Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Advantages of Incumbency *Video-earmarks* Franking privilege Greater access to media High name recognition High odds of victory give incumbents a natural fund-raising advantage Greater experience as candidates Greater ability to help constituents Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Predicting Congressional Elections Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

A Divided Branch The architecture and floor plan of the Capitol building in Washington reflect the bicameral division of Congress Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

The Powers of Congress To raise, make, and borrow money To regulate commerce To unify and expand the country To prepare and declare war To create the federal judiciary Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Differences Between the House of Representatives and the Senate Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Leading the House of Representatives Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Leading the Senate Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Congressional Committees Types of committees Authorizing Appropriations Rules and Administration Budget and Revenue Conference Choosing committee members Seniority Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Congressional Committees Bureaucratic Oversight and Investigations Special committees may conduct investigations or hold hearings, such as Supreme Court confirmation hearings Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Congressional Caucuses Informal committees that allow individual members to promote shared legislative interests Examples: Black Caucus Women’s Issues Caucus Rural Health Caucus Children’s Caucus Pro-Life Caucus Cuba Freedom Caucus Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

The Job of the Legislator: Customs and Norms Until recently, many norms guided the behavior of members of Congress. Members were supposed to specialize in a small number of issues, defer to members with longer tenure in office, never criticize anyone personally, and wait their turn to speak and introduce legislation. Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Legislators as Representatives Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Making Legislative Choices Philosophy and political convictions Voters Colleagues Congressional staff Party Interest groups The president Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Congressional Ethics In recent years, much greater scrutiny than in the past Jack Abramoff: “The man who bought Washington” Abramoff’s relationship with House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) led to DeLay’s resignation in 2006 Since 2007, members of Congress may not accept gifts/meals from lobbyists Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

How a Bill Becomes Law Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman