Chapter Congress

Senate & House 2 Senators per state…they represent the entire state House seats distributed based on population…435 districts composed of about 650,000 - each state guaranteed at least 1 (Determined every 10 years by the census) Reapportionment is the result of the census – some states lose seats while others gain State legislatures then redistrict – drawing of new congressional districts With party in control, gerrymandering occurs – drawing districts in odd shapes to benefit a party or an incumbent Named for 1810 Gov. Elbridge Gerry (MA) who approved a salamander shaped district

Gerrymandering Packing – drawing lines to concentrate opposing party in a few districts thus preserving the majority of seats for controlling party Cracking – drawing lines to disperse the opposing party throughout the state and thus diluting their strength Effects – party in power STAYS in power, “safe seats” are created, as are strangely shaped districts District lines must be contiguous, compact and contain equal population Racial gerrymandering is illegal

Expressed (formal) Powers of Congress Levy taxes Borrow money Regulate commerce Establish naturalization laws Establish bankruptcy laws Coin money Establish weights & measures Punish counterfeiters These are all listed in the Constitution Establish post offices Grant copyrights & patents Create courts inferior to the Supreme Court Define & punish piracy Declare war Raise and support army & navy Make all laws necessary or proper – Elastic Clause (implied powers)

Senate Facts (100 Senators) Qualifications & Terms 6 year term (1/3 are elected every 2 yrs) 30 years old 9 years of citizenship Resident of state No term limit Power & Prestige Seen as the “upper” house Ratifies treaties Confirms nominees Tries impeachment cases Elects VP if tied in Electoral College Large personal staff More media coverage Procedures & Rules Looser rules Riders are allowed in bills More equal distribution of power Filibuster Amendments are generally allowed by anyone Extended debate Senate as whole sets terms of debate

House Facts (435 Representatives – capped in 1910) Qualifications & Terms 2 year term 25 years old 7 years of citizenship Resident of state No term limit Power & Prestige Tax bills must come from House Seen as the “lower” house Bring impeachment charges Elect President if tied in Electoral College Smaller personal staff Less media coverage More powerful committee leaders Procedures & Rules Riders are not allowed in bills Tighter rules Rules committee sets terms of debate Limited debate Some bills permit no floor amendments No filibuster

Leadership of Congress House of Representatives 1. Speaker of the House (John Boehner, R-OH)  Presides over the House  Selected by the entire House (formally)  Recognizes speakers and rules on procedures  Appoints members to temporary committees  Appoints rules committee members and its chair  Assigns bills to committees  Next in line for Presidency after VP

Leadership of Congress 2. Majority Leader (Eric Cantor, R-VA) 3. Minority Leader (Nancy Pelosi, D-CA) Partisan positions chosen by party members (party caucus) Floor leaders and legislative strategists 4. Majority Whip (Kevin McCarthy, R-CA) 5. Minority Whip (Steny Hoyer, D-MD) Assistant floor leaders Keep nose on count on important votes Persuade party members to vote with party

Leadership of Congress Senate 1. Vice President (Joe Biden, D-DE)  President of the Senate  Votes only in case of a tie  Mostly ceremonial job of presiding over Senate 2. President Pro Tempore (Patrick Leahy, D-VT)  Ceremonial job  Usually a senior member of the majority party  Presides when the VP is absent

Leadership of Congress 3. Majority Leader (Harry Reid, D-NV)  True leader of Senate and of majority party  Recognized first for all debates  Influences committee assignments of Senators & Senate agenda 4. Minority Leader (Mitch McConnell, R-KY) and Party Whips (Dick Durbin, D-IL John Kyl, R-AZ)

Congressional Committees (little legislatures) Standing – permanent, established in legislature, usually focused on a policy area Special or select – created for a specific purpose, sometimes to conduct an investigation (HUAC) Joint – members of both houses; oversees special projects or investigations

Standing Committees Authorizing – pass the laws that tell the government what to do, who gets what, when, and how from the government, oversees the government bureaucracy Appropriation – determines how much the government is going to spend on programs and operations Revenue and Budget – deals with raising money, sets broad targets for the budget, deals with taxes, Medicare, and Social Security Rules and Administration – determines the basic operations of the two houses

Choosing Committee Members Parties control selection of standing committee members Chair comes from majority party (members are proportional) Members tend to stay on the same committees There is a hierarchy of committees & people are always looking to move up Most chairs are selected on the seniority rule Member of majority party who has served on committee the longest