1. Examining the work of Congress
Could you be a political analyst?
Examining the work of Congress
“The 112th Congress was arguably one of the least productive bodies in history.”
How accurate is this statement?
114th Congress ( ): 329
113th Congress ( ): 296
112th Congress ( ): 283
111th Congress ( ): 383
110th Congress ( ): 460
109th Congress ( ): 482
108th Congress ( ): 498
107th Congress ( ) : 377

2. Enquiry Question: Who sits in Congress?

3. Learning Outcomes To describe the current composition of Congress
To explain the different congressional terms and elections
To analyse the role of party allegiances in Congress

4. How representative is Congress in terms of;
Socio-economic background
Age
Race and ethnicity
Religion
Sexual orientation
Disabilities
Gender

5. Presentations
Listen to the presentation and record clear explanations and examples from the presentation for you to refer to later.
You may ask any questions of the presenters at any time during the presentation.

6. Enduring Questions
To what extent is Congress representative of US society?
Evidence showing Congress is Representative
Evidence showing Congress is not Representative
Socio-economic background
Age
Race and ethnicity
Religion
Sexual orientation
Disabilities
Gender

7. Enduring Questions
To what extent is Congress representative of US society?
The 115th Congress is the most diverse yet…but is it enough?
BBC Video Clip
Roll Cal Video Clip
Should Congress be a microcosm of US society?

8. Learning Outcomes To describe the current composition of Congress
To explain the different congressional terms and elections
To analyse the role of party allegiances in Congress

9. Watch the video: Crash Course – Congressional Elections
This podcast talks about the importance of congressional elections including the frequency of elections in the Senate and House, typical characteristics of a candidate, and the motivating factors congress people follow to get re-elected.

10. Learning Outcomes To describe the current composition of Congress
To explain the different congressional terms and elections
To analyse the role of party allegiances in Congress

11. What is the role of political parties in Congress?
YOUR TASK:
Read the handout “Parties in Congress”.
Questions:
How are political parties in Congress organized?
What role do political party organizations play in Congress?
How do factional organizations function in Congress?
What is a caucus? What are some of the different caucuses in Congress?
How do political parties help organize Congress? Why does media coverage tend to focus on party conflicts?

12. Learning Outcomes To describe the current composition of Congress
To explain the different congressional terms and elections
To analyse the role of party allegiances in Congress

13. How significant is the role of political parties within Congress? (15)

14. How significant is the role of political parties within Congress?
Members can be most effective when they chair committees and this can only be done if their party holds the majority of seats in the chamber
Also, each of the past three speakers of the House of Representatives have had a strong, overt, ideological agenda
When Congress and the White House are controlled by the same party, oversight tends to be less rigorous
An ever-increasing proportion of votes are along party lines. For example, President Obama’s stimulus package got no votes from Republicans in the House and only three in the Senate

15. How significant is the role of political parties within Congress?
As the parties have become more polarised, party leaderships in Congress have exerted increasing influence on their members
Members of Congress are very willing however to vote against their party if they believe a vote against will be more favourably received by their constituents
The executive branch will attempt to persuade members of both parties to support the administration’s proposals
Pressure groups, especially those who have contributed to campaign funds, will make their views known on issues which concern them
Members of congressional caucuses may vote the same way

16. Examining the composition of Congress
Could you be a political analyst?
Examining the composition of Congress
“The 115th Congress is the most demographically diverse one yet.”
How accurate is this statement?

17. Homework
Application Task: How significant is the role of political parties within Congress? (15) Flipped Learning Preparation Task: Functions of Congress: Representation (Pearson p ) Stretch & Challenge Task Demographics; 115th Congress