Basic Facts About Basic Facts About CongressCongress

Basic StructureBasic Structure• Bicameral: By way of Connecticut Bicameral: By way of Connecticut

CompromiseCompromise•Settled dispute over representation (large states Settled dispute over representation (large states

vs. small states)vs. small states)

– Upper House: Senate Upper House: Senate – Lower House: House of RepresentativesLower House: House of Representatives

•Not just checks and balances between branches of Not just checks and balances between branches of government but also within branches ie, 2 Houses government but also within branches ie, 2 Houses can check each other.can check each other.

– Senate has powers the House does not haveSenate has powers the House does not have– House has powers the Senate does not haveHouse has powers the Senate does not have

SenateSenate• More prestige than HouseMore prestige than House• Represent whole stateRepresent whole state• High incumbent reelection rate but not as high High incumbent reelection rate but not as high

as Houseas House• 6 year term6 year term• ““Continuous Body” 1/3 up for reelection every 2 Continuous Body” 1/3 up for reelection every 2

yearsyears• 2 Senators from each state = 100 total2 Senators from each state = 100 total• Smaller membership = fewer rules especially Smaller membership = fewer rules especially

with regard to debate ie, filibusterwith regard to debate ie, filibuster• Most rules are decided by the Senate not the Most rules are decided by the Senate not the

Constitution; many traditions carry onConstitution; many traditions carry on– Senatorial courtesySenatorial courtesy– Seniority RuleSeniority Rule

Senate ContinuedSenate Continued

• Considered very undemocratic and Considered very undemocratic and malapportioned due to the 2 malapportioned due to the 2 senators from each state rule (Alaska senators from each state rule (Alaska vs. California for example)vs. California for example)

House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives• Less prestige than senateLess prestige than senate• 2 year terms: everyone up for reelection 2 year terms: everyone up for reelection

every 2 yearsevery 2 years• Represent a district not a state (“at Represent a district not a state (“at

large” representative does represent large” representative does represent state)state)

• Each representative represents an equal Each representative represents an equal number of people (as much as is practical number of people (as much as is practical to expect) about 650,000 peopleto expect) about 650,000 people– Each state regardless of size has at least 1 Each state regardless of size has at least 1

representativerepresentative– 435 members total435 members total

SalarySalary

• 111111thth Congress pay is $174,000 per year, Congress pay is $174,000 per year, and…and…– Office space in D.C. and home stateOffice space in D.C. and home state– StaffStaff– Franking privilegeFranking privilege– Pension planPension plan– Health insuranceHealth insurance– RestaurantsRestaurants– Fitness centerFitness center– Free ParkingFree Parking

Apportionment andRedistricting

• The Constitution requires that all Americans be countedevery 10 years by a census.

• The census determines the representation in the House of Representatives.

• Redistricting (the redrawing of congressional districts to reflect changes in seats allocated to the states from population shifts) is done by state legislatures and, of course, always has political overtones.

• When the process is outrageously political, it is called

• gerrymandering and is often struck down by the courts.

Powers of Congress

•The most important constitutional power of Congress is the power to make laws.

•This power is shared by the House and the Senate.

• In order to become a law, a bill must be passed by both the House and the Senate.

Powers of Congress Powers of Congress ContinuedContinued

• Create courtsCreate courts

• Investigate and oversight (especially Investigate and oversight (especially regarding executive branch actions) regarding executive branch actions) through hearing processthrough hearing process

• Spend money, borrow money, collect Spend money, borrow money, collect taxestaxes

Members of Congress

•Congress is older, better educated, whiter, and richer than most of us.

•However, great strides have been made.

•Currently, both California senators and both Maine senators are women.

Can a man represent a woman?Can a white person adequately

representthe views of a black person?

The Representational Role ofMembers of Congress

•How should an elected official represent his/her

•constituents?– Trustee--representatives use their own best

judgment– Delegate--representatives vote the way their

constituents want them to– Politico--representatives act as party member