Congress: Getting elected Members of Congress are single-minded seekers of reelection. - David Mayhew Congress: Getting elected Incumbency Advantage Between 1863 and 1969 percentage of first term Reps. fell from about 58% to 8% Incumbents win between 90-95% of the time They win big - incumbents in House elected by 60% or more = 82.2% (2004) Congress: Getting elected Incumbency Advantage House between = 94.11% Senate = 84.5% Why are these numbers so high? Congress: Getting elected Why are these numbers so high? Redistricting Why did Mike win? Congress: Getting elected Why are these numbers so high? Redistricting Decline in party voting Republicans in the mid- 1990s Why did Mike win? Congress: Getting elected Why are these numbers so high? Redistricting Decline in party voting Advertising Name recognition Why did Mike win? Congress: Getting elected Why are these numbers so high? Redistricting Decline in party voting Advertising Credit Claiming Case Work - Pork Barrel Congress: Getting elected Why are these numbers so high? Redistricting Decline in party voting Advertising Credit Claiming Money Congress: Getting elected Why are these numbers so high? Redistricting Decline in party voting Advertising Credit Claiming Money Weak Opponents Who is this guy? Congress vs. Parliament What is the difference between Congress and Parliament? Congress vs. Parliament What is the difference between Congress and Parliament? Candidate centered elections vs. Party centered elections Congress vs. Parliament What is the difference between Congress and Parliament? Candidate centered elections vs. Party centered elections Party line voting Power members of Parliament have little Congress vs. Parliament Power members of Parliament have little No office, no staff, little pay Members of Congress Represent people, propose legislation $150,000 Staff allowance (avg. 22) Congress: What do they do? Functions: Lawmaking 111th Congress 10,621 bills introduced 383 passed 113 Congress passed 252 laws Congress: What do they do? Functions: Lawmaking Oversight Congress: What do they do? Functions: Lawmaking Oversight Committee Review Casework Legislative Audit Sunset Laws Budget Congress: What do they do? Functions: Lawmaking Oversight Representation Congress: Representation How do members of Congress behave? (3 views) Representational Focus on reelection leads them to please their constituents Congress: Representation How do members of Congress behave? (3 views) Representational Focus on reelection leads then to please their constituents Organizational When constituency issues are small, members follow the cues of their colleagues. Party plays a big role Congress: Representation How do members of Congress behave? (3 views) Representational Focus on reelection leads then to please their constituents Organizational When constituency issues are small, members follow the cues of their colleagues. Party plays a big role Attitudinal personal ideology plays a role in decision making Congress: Representation Two Constituencies 1) in District 2) in Congress District Constituency Geographic: The District Reelection: The Supporters Primary: The Strong Supporters Personal: Family and Friends The Filibuster Filibuster a Dutch word meaning Pirate Senate has a history of unlimited debate 1841 First filibuster 1917 Rule 22 adopted Cloture vote The Filibuster Cloture a vote to end debate Originally required a 2/3rds vote Lowered to 3/5 th in 1975 The Filibuster The Filibuster record Strom Thurmond (SC) = 24 hours, 18 minutes Against the Civil Rights Act of 1957 The Filibuster The Modern Filibuster rules are different You no longer have to actually hold the floor A minimum of 41 senators need to announce their intent to filibuster The Filibuster Other Senate business can continue but a vote can be delayed without actual floor debate As a result the filibuster use is on the rise Congressional Ethics an oxymoron? Senate: Gifts: nothing more than $100 Lobbyists: can give gifts, pay for travel, legal defense fund Fees: cant charge lecture fees Outside earned income: cant exceed 15% of Senators salary Lobbying delay of one year Mass Mailings: cant exceed $50,000 Congressional Ethics an oxymoron? House: Gifts: Not more than $100 Lobbyists: no gifts or travel costs Travel: Others can pay the costs if for official business Fees: Same as Senate Ex-members must wait 1 year before lobbying