chapter 13 congress. copyright © 2011 cengage who governs? who governs? 1.are members of congress...

Chapter 13Chapter 13CongressCongress

Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage

WHO GOVERNS?WHO GOVERNS?1.1. Are members of Congress Are members of Congress

representative of the American people?representative of the American people?

2.2. Does Congress normally do what most Does Congress normally do what most citizens want it to do?citizens want it to do?

TO WHAT ENDS?TO WHAT ENDS?1.1. Should Congress run under strong Should Congress run under strong

leadership?leadership?

2.2. Should Congress act more quickly?Should Congress act more quickly?

Congress versus ParliamentCongress versus Parliament

CongressCongress• Independent representatives of their Independent representatives of their

districts or statesdistricts or states• Principle work is representation and Principle work is representation and

actionaction ParliamentParliament

• Loyal to national party leadershipLoyal to national party leadership• Principle work is debatePrinciple work is debate


1891, 1895–1899) (left), Joseph G. Cannon (1903–1911) (center), and Sam Rayburn (1941–1891, 1895–1899) (left), Joseph G. Cannon (1903–1911) (center), and Sam Rayburn (1941–1947, 1949–1953, 1955–1961) (right). Reed put an end to a filibuster in the House by 1947, 1949–1953, 1955–1961) (right). Reed put an end to a filibuster in the House by refusing to allow dilatory motions and by counting as “present”—for purposes of a quorumrefusing to allow dilatory motions and by counting as “present”—for purposes of a quorum—members in the House even though they were not voting. Cannon further enlarged the —members in the House even though they were not voting. Cannon further enlarged the Speaker’s power by refusing to recognize members who wished to speak without Cannon’s Speaker’s power by refusing to recognize members who wished to speak without Cannon’s approval and by increasing the power of the Rules Committee, over which he presided. approval and by increasing the power of the Rules Committee, over which he presided. Cannon was stripped of much of his power in 1910. Rayburn’s influence rested more on his Cannon was stripped of much of his power in 1910. Rayburn’s influence rested more on his ability to persuade than on his formal powers. p. 316ability to persuade than on his formal powers. p. 316


Library of CongressLibrary of Congress AP/Wide World Photos

The Evolution of CongressThe Evolution of Congress

Bicameral (two Bicameral (two chamber) legislaturechamber) legislature

House of House of RepresentativesRepresentatives

SenateSenate Centralization vs. Centralization vs.

decentralizationdecentralization


One of the most powerful Speakers of the House, Henry Clay, is shown here addressing the U. S. Senate around 1850. p. 318

Library of Congress

A cartoon from Puck in 1890 expressed popular resentmentA cartoon from Puck in 1890 expressed popular resentmentover the “Millionaires Club,” as the Senate had become known. p. 320over the “Millionaires Club,” as the Senate had become known. p. 320


New York Public Library

Who is in Congress?Who is in Congress?

Sex and RaceSex and Race IncumbencyIncumbency

• Marginal districtsMarginal districts• Safe districtsSafe districts

PartyParty



Source: Congressional Quarterly, various years.


When the Democrats regained When the Democrats regained control of the House, the very control of the House, the very liberal John Conyers (ADA liberal John Conyers (ADA score = 100%) became score = 100%) became chairman of the House chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in place Judiciary Committee in place of the very conservative James of the very conservative James Sensenbrenner (ADA score = Sensenbrenner (ADA score = 10%). p. 322 10%). p. 322

Marcy Kaptur (D., OH) Marcy Kaptur (D., OH) discusses the war on discusses the war on terrorism in front of theterrorism in front of thecapitol. p. 322capitol. p. 322

Stefan Zaklin/EPA/Corbis

AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

Figure 13.1 Percentage of Figure 13.1 Percentage of Incumbents Reelected to CongressIncumbents Reelected to Congress


Source: Harold W. Stanley and Richard G. Niemi, Source: Harold W. Stanley and Richard G. Niemi, Vital Statistics on American Politics, 1999–2000 Vital Statistics on American Politics, 1999–2000 (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2000), table 1-18; 2004 update by Marc Siegal.Press, 2000), table 1-18; 2004 update by Marc Siegal.

Do Members Represent Their Do Members Represent Their Voters?Voters?

Representational view–Representational view–members vote to please members vote to please their constituentstheir constituents

Organizational View–Organizational View–members vote to please members vote to please fellow members of Congressfellow members of Congress

Attitudinal View–Attitudinal View–members members vote on the basis of their vote on the basis of their own beliefsown beliefs


Keith Ellison (D., Keith Ellison (D., MN), the first MN), the first Muslim elected Muslim elected to Congress. p. to Congress. p. 325325

Craig Lassig/EPA/Corbis

A Polarized CongressA Polarized Congress

A more ideological perspective has A more ideological perspective has been brought to Congress.been brought to Congress.

Congress’ most liberal members are Congress’ most liberal members are Democrats.Democrats.

Congress’ most conservative Congress’ most conservative members are Republicans.members are Republicans.

Voters are closer to the center of Voters are closer to the center of political spectrum.political spectrum.


The Organization of Congress: The Organization of Congress: Parties and CaucusesParties and Caucuses

Party Organization of Party Organization of the Senatethe Senate

Party Structure in the Party Structure in the HouseHouse

The Strength of Party The Strength of Party StructuresStructures

Party UnityParty Unity CaucusesCaucuses

Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as House Speaker. p. 331

Zach Seckler/Corbis

Figure 13.3 The U.S. CongressFigure 13.3 The U.S. Congress


Source: U.S. House of Representatives, 2009.Source: U.S. House of Representatives, 2009.


The Organization of Congress: The Organization of Congress: CommitteesCommittees

Standing CommitteesStanding Committees Select CommitteesSelect Committees Joint CommitteesJoint Committees Conference CommitteesConference Committees HouseHouse SenateSenate


The Organization of Congress: The Organization of Congress: Staff and Specialized OfficesStaff and Specialized Offices

Tasks of Staff MembersTasks of Staff Members Staff AgenciesStaff Agencies

• Congressional Research Service (CRS)Congressional Research Service (CRS)• General Accounting Office (GAO)General Accounting Office (GAO)• Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)• Congressional Budget Office (CBO)Congressional Budget Office (CBO)


How a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a Law

Introducing a BillIntroducing a Bill Legislative ProductivityLegislative Productivity Study by CommitteeStudy by Committee Floor Debate – The HouseFloor Debate – The House Floor Debate – The SenateFloor Debate – The Senate Methods of VotingMethods of Voting


How a Bill How a Bill Becomes a Becomes a

LawLaw


Reducing Power and PerksReducing Power and Perks

Pork-Barrel Pork-Barrel LegislationLegislation

Franking Franking PrivilegesPrivileges


p. 350 Cartoon by Mark Cullum/The Birmingham News. Reprinted with permission.

M E M O R A N D U MM E M O R A N D U M

To: To: Representative Peter SkerryRepresentative Peter Skerry

From: From: Martha Bayles, legislative aideMartha Bayles, legislative aide

Subject: Subject: The Size of the House of RepresentativesThe Size of the House of Representatives

The House can decide how big it wishes to be. When it was The House can decide how big it wishes to be. When it was created, there was one representative for every 30,000 created, there was one representative for every 30,000 people. Now there is one for every 600,000. In most other people. Now there is one for every 600,000. In most other democracies, each member of parliament represents far democracies, each member of parliament represents far fewer than 600,000 people. Doubling the size of the House fewer than 600,000 people. Doubling the size of the House may be a way of avoiding term limits.may be a way of avoiding term limits.


WHAT WOULD YOU DO?WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Arguments for:Arguments for:

1. Doubling the size of the House would reduce the huge 1. Doubling the size of the House would reduce the huge demand for constituent services each member now faces.demand for constituent services each member now faces.

2. A bigger House would represent more shades of opinion 2. A bigger House would represent more shades of opinion more fairly.more fairly.

3. Each member could raise less campaign money because his 3. Each member could raise less campaign money because his or her campaign would be smaller.or her campaign would be smaller.



Arguments against:Arguments against:

1. A bigger House would be twice as hard to manage, and it 1. A bigger House would be twice as hard to manage, and it would take even longer to pass legislation.would take even longer to pass legislation.

2. Campaigns in districts of 300,000 people would cost as 2. Campaigns in districts of 300,000 people would cost as much as ones in districts with 600,000 people.much as ones in districts with 600,000 people.

3. Interest groups do a better job of representing public 3. Interest groups do a better job of representing public opinion than would a House with more members.opinion than would a House with more members.



Your decision:Your decision:

Increase size of House?Increase size of House?

Do not increase size of House?Do not increase size of House?



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