CONGRESSCONGRESS

““Congress: Congress: Bingo with Bingo with

Billions”Billions”- Thank you Red - Thank you Red

SkeltonSkelton

Who Gets to Congress?Who Gets to Congress? Members of the House and Senate Members of the House and Senate

are predominantly middle-aged, are predominantly middle-aged, white, Protestant, male lawyers. white, Protestant, male lawyers.

But people with these But people with these characteristics do NOT all have characteristics do NOT all have similar opinions similar opinions

Of late, the number of blacks and Of late, the number of blacks and women in the House has been women in the House has been slowly increasing. slowly increasing.

More important is the proportions More important is the proportions of representatives serving several of representatives serving several terms and occupying safe rather terms and occupying safe rather than than marginal marginal districts. districts. The cast-iron dome of the United

States Capitol, constructed between 1855 and 1866

.

What has changed?What has changed?

In 1869 the average In 1869 the average representative had served only representative had served only one term in Congressone term in Congress

By the 1950s over half the By the 1950s over half the representatives had served representatives had served four or more termsfour or more terms

In the nineteenth century the In the nineteenth century the federal government was not federal government was not very important, Washington very important, Washington was not a pleasant place in was not a pleasant place in which to live, and being a which to live, and being a member of Congress did not member of Congress did not pay well pay well

Contains portrait busts of the early explorers John Cabot, Christopher Columbus, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Sieur de La Salle.

Demographics of CongressDemographics of CongressAgeAge

In the relief panels above the four entrances are scenes from American In the relief panels above the four entrances are scenes from American colonial history:colonial history:

Conflict of Daniel Boone and the IndiansConflict of Daniel Boone and the Indians

Landing of the PilgrimsLanding of the Pilgrims

Preservation of Captain Smith by PocahontasPreservation of Captain Smith by Pocahontas

William Penn's Treaty with the IndiansWilliam Penn's Treaty with the Indians

30 – 3930 – 39 40 – 4940 – 49 50 – 5950 – 59 60 – 6960 – 69 Over 70Over 70

3%3% 19%19% 39%39% 29%29% 10%10%

EthnicityEthnicityAfrican African AmericanAmerican

8%8%

American American IndianIndian

1%1%

AsianAsian 1%1%

Asian Asian IndianIndian

1%1%

CaucasianCaucasian 86%86%

HispanicHispanic 5%5%The Crypt – not for the deceased!

GenderGenderMaleMale 84%84% 455 members455 members

FemaleFemale 16%16% 84 members84 members

Baptism of Pocahontas

Marital StatusMarital StatusDivorcedDivorced 6%6% 3232

Domestic PartnerDomestic Partner 1%1% 11

EngagedEngaged 1%1% 11

MarriedMarried 84%84% 454454

SeparatedSeparated 1%1% 11

SingleSingle 7%7% 3737

WidowedWidowed 2%2% 1313

Religious AffiliationReligious Affiliation African Methodist EpiscopalAfrican Methodist Episcopal33 Assembly of GodAssembly of God22 BaptistBaptist6767 CatholicCatholic150150 ChristianChristian2121 Christian Non-DenominationalChristian Non-Denominational

11 Christian ReformedChristian Reformed11 Christian ScienceChristian Science55 Church of ChristChurch of Christ33 Evangelical 1Evangelical 1 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints22 Church of the NazareneChurch of the Nazarene11 Community of ChristCommunity of Christ11 CongregationalistCongregationalist55 Disciples of ChristDisciples of Christ22 EpiscopalEpiscopal4141 Evangelical PresbyterianEvangelical Presbyterian11 Greek OrthodoxGreek Orthodox33 JewishJewish3737 LutheranLutheran1818 MethodistMethodist5959 MoravianMoravian11 MormonMormon1515 Not AffiliatedNot Affiliated11 Not StatedNot Stated1212 PresbyterianPresbyterian4747 ProtestantProtestant2424 Reformed Church of AmericaReformed Church of America11 Roman CatholicRoman Catholic22 Serbian OrthodoxSerbian Orthodox11 Seventh-day AdventistSeventh-day Adventist22 Southern BaptistSouthern Baptist33UnitarianUnitarian33 United Church of ChristUnited Church of Christ33

Party Party AffiliationAffiliation

Declaration of Declaration of Independence – Independence – John TurnbullJohn Turnbull

DemocraticDemocratic IndependentIndependent RepublicanRepublican

46%46% 1%1% 53%53%

250250 22 287287

Why so many Incumbents?Why so many Incumbents?

Because the job is more Because the job is more attractive today, we expect attractive today, we expect more serious challengesmore serious challenges

By 1970, however, over three-By 1970, however, over three-fourths of running incumbents fourths of running incumbents won with 60 percent or more of won with 60 percent or more of the votethe vote

The cause may be The cause may be re-districting changes andre-districting changes and voters' anti-incumbency voters' anti-incumbency

attitudesattitudes Still, the majority of House Still, the majority of House

incumbents seeking reelection incumbents seeking reelection are successful. are successful. Discovery of the MississippiDiscovery of the Mississippi

By William PowellBy William Powell Commissioned in 1847Commissioned in 1847

Redistricting with the CensusRedistricting with the Census

MalapportionmentMalapportionment:: deliberately creating deliberately creating disparity in number of people in each district disparity in number of people in each district

GerrymanderingGerrymandering: drawing boundaries to ensure : drawing boundaries to ensure party victoryparty victory

Congress decides size of HouseCongress decides size of House Congress reapportions representatives every ten Congress reapportions representatives every ten

yearsyears 1964 Supreme Court decision requires districts 1964 Supreme Court decision requires districts

to be drawn to ensure "one person, one vote"to be drawn to ensure "one person, one vote"

SenatorsSenators

Senators are Senators are somewhat less somewhat less securesecure

In fewer than half of In fewer than half of their races does the their races does the winner get 60 percent winner get 60 percent or more of the vote.or more of the vote.

President Pro Tempore

Daniel Inouve, Hawaii

Incumbency TheoriesIncumbency Theories Voters are voting their Voters are voting their

party identification less party identification less and less and may and less and may therefore be voting for therefore be voting for the candidate whose the candidate whose name they recognizename they recognize

Incumbents have more Incumbents have more ways to get their ways to get their names knownnames known

Also, incumbents can Also, incumbents can use their powers to get use their powers to get (or may simply take (or may simply take credit for) federal credit for) federal grants, projects, and grants, projects, and protection for local protection for local interest groups.interest groups.

Embarkation of the PilgrimsEmbarkation of the Pilgrims By William WeirBy William Weir 18371837

Characteristics of RepresentativeCharacteristics of Representative

Representatives are more Representatives are more likely to be likely to be

white, malewhite, male senior in terms of years of senior in terms of years of

serviceservice DemocratsDemocrats

This is because more This is because more voters consider themselves voters consider themselves Democrats than Democrats than Republicans (though this is Republicans (though this is changing) changing)

And because the And because the advantages of incumbency advantages of incumbency began to take effect after began to take effect after the Democrats gained the Democrats gained control of Congresscontrol of Congress

Landing of Columbus, 1836Landing of Columbus, 1836

Who was President?Who was President?

In only seven Congresses In only seven Congresses since the New Deal have since the New Deal have the Democrats failed to the Democrats failed to control both houses control both houses

1. 1947-19481. 1947-1948 2. 1953-19542. 1953-1954 3. 1981-19823. 1981-1982 4. 1983-19844. 1983-1984 5. 1985-19865. 1985-1986 6. 1995-19966. 1995-1996 7. 1997-19987. 1997-1998

Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan William ClintonWilliam Clinton William ClintonWilliam Clinton

Why Congressional Incumbents Why Congressional Incumbents WinWin Incumbents have certain Incumbents have certain

advantages over their advantages over their challengerschallengers

First, winning elections First, winning elections gives an incumbent a set gives an incumbent a set of developed "strategies of developed "strategies that seemed to work at that seemed to work at least onceleast once

They may not know They may not know exactly why; but they do exactly why; but they do know their strategies know their strategies apparently brought voter apparently brought voter approvalapproval

In future electoral In future electoral contests, "tradition" contests, "tradition" serves as an important serves as an important guide for the incumbent. guide for the incumbent.

The challenger does not The challenger does not have that reservoir of have that reservoir of experience experience

Surrendering of Burgoyne, Surrendering of Burgoyne, 18171817

Another TurnbullAnother Turnbull

Opportunity to Practice between Opportunity to Practice between CampaignsCampaigns

Second, incumbents constantly contacting their Second, incumbents constantly contacting their constituents and powerful groups, whereas the constituents and powerful groups, whereas the challenger has only limited contact prior to the campaign. challenger has only limited contact prior to the campaign.

It is not only the lack of money or name recognition;It is not only the lack of money or name recognition; inexperience with the difficult learning situation that campaigns inexperience with the difficult learning situation that campaigns

provide.provide. Without an already successful strategy, and with fewer Without an already successful strategy, and with fewer

opportunities to learn from experience and evaluate the opportunities to learn from experience and evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies, challengers start out effectiveness of their strategies, challengers start out with a learning deficit compared with most incumbents.with a learning deficit compared with most incumbents.

Is the Challenge Is the Challenge Hopeless?Hopeless?

Incumbent members of Incumbent members of Congress can be defeatedCongress can be defeated

Incumbency can lead to Incumbency can lead to stagnationstagnation

existing strategies may existing strategies may become so fixed that the become so fixed that the incumbent fails to adapt in incumbent fails to adapt in time to a changing political time to a changing political environmentenvironment

they can become “victims of they can become “victims of victory" (Hershey)victory" (Hershey)

The challenger who sees The challenger who sees shifts in the district's mood, shifts in the district's mood, population, and policy population, and policy preferences before the preferences before the stagnant incumbent does stagnant incumbent does can wincan win

Why is the Senate more Why is the Senate more Vulnerable?Vulnerable?

Surrender of Cornwallis, 1817Surrender of Cornwallis, 1817 Another TurnbullAnother Turnbull

Greater media Greater media exposure given to exposure given to Senate racesSenate races

Challengers also Challengers also receive media receive media attentionattention

gives challengers a gives challengers a boost in gaining boost in gaining name recognition name recognition among votersamong voters

The press does not The press does not investigate House investigate House challengers as challengers as seriously. WHY?seriously. WHY?

Congressional OrganizationCongressional Organization Congress is not a single Congress is not a single

organization but a vast organization but a vast collection of collection of organizations.organizations.

In the Senate, In the Senate, leadership is in the leadership is in the hands of a hands of a majority majority leaderleader, , chosen from chosen from among the majority among the majority partyparty

Senate Majority LeaderHarry Reid – Democrat - NEVADA

Party OrganizationParty Organization And a And a minority leaderminority leader, , chosen from chosen from

the other partythe other party The The whipwhip

takes a nose count of how votes are takes a nose count of how votes are lining up on controversial issueslining up on controversial issues

keeps the party leader informedkeeps the party leader informed and rounds up members for and rounds up members for

important votes. important votes. The Democratic Steering Committee The Democratic Steering Committee

and the Republican Committee on and the Republican Committee on Committees assign senators to Committees assign senators to standing committees. standing committees.

Such assignments are extremely Such assignments are extremely important to a senator's career important to a senator's career prospects.prospects.

Minority Leader

MITCH MCCONELL – KENTUCKY - REPUBLICAN

In the HouseIn the House Rep. John BoehnerRep. John Boehner Elected by the whole of the Elected by the whole of the

House of Representatives, the House of Representatives, the Speaker acts as leader of the Speaker acts as leader of the House and combines several House and combines several roles: roles:

the institutional role of the institutional role of presiding officer and presiding officer and

administrative head of the administrative head of the House, House,

the role of leader of the the role of leader of the majority party in the House, majority party in the House,

and the representative role of and the representative role of an elected member of the an elected member of the House. House.

The Speaker of the House is The Speaker of the House is second in line to succeed the second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President, after the Vice PresidentPresident

Eric CantorEric Cantor

Party Structure in the SenateParty Structure in the Senate Similar with two important exceptionsSimilar with two important exceptions The leadership has more power in the House, because The leadership has more power in the House, because

the House is a very large body that must restrict debate the House is a very large body that must restrict debate and schedule its business and schedule its business

In the House, the position of In the House, the position of Speaker Speaker carries carries considerable power.considerable power.

The Speaker may decide whom to recognize in debateThe Speaker may decide whom to recognize in debate whether a motion is relevant and germanewhether a motion is relevant and germane and to which committees new bills are assignedand to which committees new bills are assigned

The Speaker also influences The Speaker also influences which bills are brought up for a votewhich bills are brought up for a vote appoints members of special and select committeesappoints members of special and select committees and nominates majority-party members of the Rules Committee.and nominates majority-party members of the Rules Committee.

The Party VoteThe Party Vote

Party is a very important determinant of a Party is a very important determinant of a member's vote-more important than any other member's vote-more important than any other single thingsingle thing

However, party voting in Congress is still not as However, party voting in Congress is still not as important as in a parliamentary systemimportant as in a parliamentary system

In Congress party voting has been decliningIn Congress party voting has been declining Party voting is probably actually ideological Party voting is probably actually ideological

voting:voting: Republicans in both houses are predominantly Republicans in both houses are predominantly

conservative and Democrats liberal.conservative and Democrats liberal.

CaucusesCaucuses

Associations of Associations of congressional congressional membersmembers

Support an Support an ideology or act on ideology or act on behalf of behalf of constituency constituency concernsconcerns

As of January As of January 1996, there were 1996, there were 129 caucuses in 129 caucuses in the Congress. the Congress.

General Washington resigning General Washington resigning his commission, 1817his commission, 1817

Another TurnbullAnother Turnbull

Six Types of CaucusesSix Types of Caucuses

Two types of caucuses are ideologically or interest Two types of caucuses are ideologically or interest based: based: intraparty caucusesintraparty caucuses have members which share a have members which share a

common ideology (e.g., the Democratic Study Group); common ideology (e.g., the Democratic Study Group); personal interest caucusespersonal interest caucuses form around a shared interest in a form around a shared interest in a

particular issue (e.g., Congressional Family Caucus)particular issue (e.g., Congressional Family Caucus) The four remaining types of caucuses are constituency The four remaining types of caucuses are constituency

based:based: national constituency concernsnational constituency concerns (e.g., Congressional Black (e.g., Congressional Black

Caucus), Caucus), regional constituency concernsregional constituency concerns (e.g., Western Caucus), (e.g., Western Caucus), state or district constituency concernsstate or district constituency concerns (e.g., Rural (e.g., Rural Caucus), Caucus), industrial constituencyindustrial constituency concerns (e.g., Steel Caucus). concerns (e.g., Steel Caucus).

SenateSenateCommitteesCommittees

Here is where the Here is where the real work of real work of Congress is done Congress is done and where most of and where most of the power is foundthe power is found

Standing committees Standing committees are the most are the most important, because important, because they are (with a few they are (with a few exceptions) the only exceptions) the only ones that can ones that can propose legislation propose legislation by reporting a bill out by reporting a bill out to the full House or to the full House or SenateSenate

AgingAgingAgricultureAgricultureAppropriationsAppropriationsArmed ServicesArmed Services BankingBankingBudgetBudgetCommerceCommerce EnergyEnergyEnvironmentEnvironment EthicsEthicsFinanceFinanceForeign RelationsForeign RelationsHealth, Health, Education, Education, Labor & PensionsLabor & PensionsHomeland Security & Govern. AffairsHomeland Security & Govern. AffairsIndian AffairsIndian AffairsIntelligenceIntelligenceJudiciaryJudiciary RulesRulesSmall BusinessSmall BusinessVeterans' AffairsVeterans' Affairs

Other CommitteesOther Committees

Select committees Select committees last for only a few last for only a few Congresses and have a specific purposeCongresses and have a specific purpose

Joint committees Joint committees are those on which both are those on which both senators and representatives servesenators and representatives serve

Conference committeesConference committees try to resolve try to resolve differences between House and Senate differences between House and Senate versions of the same legislationversions of the same legislation

Joint Committee on Printing?Joint Committee on Printing? The principal purpose of The principal purpose of

the Joint Committee on the Joint Committee on Printing is to oversee the Printing is to oversee the functions of the functions of the Government Printing Government Printing Office and general Office and general printing procedures of the printing procedures of the Federal Government.Federal Government.

Joint Committee on the Library?

No explanation

The Joint Economic Committee (JEC) was created when Congress passed the Employment Act of 1946. Under this Act, Congress established two advisory panels: the President's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) and the Joint Economic Committee. Their primary tasks are to review economic conditions and to recommend improvements in economic policy.

Joint Committee on Taxation

Too long to explain!

Importance of the ChairImportance of the Chair

Chosen by seniority Chosen by seniority Different committees attract different kinds Different committees attract different kinds

of Congress membersof Congress members House Ways and Means Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee and the

Senate Foreign Relations Committee, attract Senate Foreign Relations Committee, attract policy-oriented members;policy-oriented members;

House Post Office and Civil Service House Post Office and Civil Service Committees, provide means of servicing a Committees, provide means of servicing a constituency and improving chances of constituency and improving chances of reelectionreelection

StaffStaff

Congress has created the most rapidly growing Congress has created the most rapidly growing bureaucracy in Washingtonbureaucracy in Washington

In 1935 the typical representative had two aides; In 1935 the typical representative had two aides; By 1979 the average had increased to sixteen but has By 1979 the average had increased to sixteen but has

held fairly steady since then, with the average standing held fairly steady since then, with the average standing at fifteen in 1996. at fifteen in 1996.

Some staff members (increasingly located in district Some staff members (increasingly located in district offices) service requests from constituentsoffices) service requests from constituents

Other staff members do legislative work, helping the Other staff members do legislative work, helping the Congress members informed Congress members informed

How a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a Law In the House, a bill is introduced by dropping it into the hopper or In the House, a bill is introduced by dropping it into the hopper or

handing it to a clerkhanding it to a clerk In the Senate, by announcing the bill's introduction on the floorIn the Senate, by announcing the bill's introduction on the floor Legislation may be initiated by the president and enacted by Legislation may be initiated by the president and enacted by

Congress, but Congress often initiates legislation; Congress, but Congress often initiates legislation; The consumer and environmental legislation of the 1960s and The consumer and environmental legislation of the 1960s and

1970s are good examples.1970s are good examples.

Study by CommitteeStudy by Committee The bill is referred to a The bill is referred to a

committee committee There are rules that There are rules that

govern which bills go to govern which bills go to which committees, but which committees, but sometimes a choice is sometimes a choice is possible and the bill can possible and the bill can be sent to a receptive (or be sent to a receptive (or unreceptive) committeeunreceptive) committee

Most bills die in committeeMost bills die in committee Important bills are Important bills are

generally referred to a generally referred to a subcommittee for subcommittee for hearings. hearings.

Then the subcommittee Then the subcommittee will will mark upmark up the bill-make the bill-make revisions and additions.revisions and additions.

Out of CommitteeOut of Committee If a majority of the committee votes to report out the bill, it goes to If a majority of the committee votes to report out the bill, it goes to

the full House or Senatethe full House or Senate Otherwise the bill dies, unless a Otherwise the bill dies, unless a discharge petitiondischarge petition (a maneuver (a maneuver

that is rarely successful) brings it to the full Housethat is rarely successful) brings it to the full House In the Senate any bill can be proposed on the floor as an In the Senate any bill can be proposed on the floor as an

amendment to another measure, so discharge petitions are not amendment to another measure, so discharge petitions are not needed.needed.

Bill Goes on the CalendarBill Goes on the Calendar In the Senate the majority In the Senate the majority

leader, consulting with leader, consulting with the minority leader, the minority leader, schedules bills for schedules bills for considerationconsideration

In the House, the In the House, the Rules Rules Committee Committee reviews major reviews major bills and may block action bills and may block action or send them to the floor or send them to the floor under a under a closed ruleclosed rule

this limits debate and this limits debate and forbids amendments, forbids amendments,

or under a less favorable or under a less favorable open ruleopen rule, , which permits which permits amendments from the floor.amendments from the floor.

Floor DebateFloor Debate In the House, major bills are In the House, major bills are

discussed by the discussed by the Committee of Committee of the Whole the Whole under rather tight under rather tight restrictionsrestrictions

The committee sponsoring the The committee sponsoring the bill guides the debatebill guides the debate

amendments (if they are amendments (if they are allowed at all) must be allowed at all) must be germanegermane

the time allowed for debate is the time allowed for debate is limitedlimited

The sponsoring committee The sponsoring committee usually gets its version passed usually gets its version passed by the House. by the House.

Trent LottTrent Lott

Voting Voting ProceduresProcedures

Voice – aye or noVoice – aye or no Division – if voice Division – if voice

vote unsure - vote unsure - counts members counts members standing – no standing – no record of record of individual votesindividual votes

Recorded - Roll-Recorded - Roll-call votes – call votes – individual votes individual votes recordedrecorded

Voting in the SenateVoting in the Senate

There is no limit on debate (except for There is no limit on debate (except for cloturecloture)) the Senate may limit consideration of a the Senate may limit consideration of a

pending matter to 30 additional hours, but pending matter to 30 additional hours, but only by vote of three-fifths of the full Senate, only by vote of three-fifths of the full Senate, normally 60 votes.normally 60 votes.

Nongermane amendments may be Nongermane amendments may be offered, producing a offered, producing a Christmas tree billChristmas tree bill (with goodies for lots of groups) (with goodies for lots of groups)

Just Deal with It !Just Deal with It !

This forces the Senate to deal with an This forces the Senate to deal with an important policy issue in connection with a important policy issue in connection with a trivial billtrivial bill

In general, the guidelines for Senate In general, the guidelines for Senate debate are negotiated by the majority debate are negotiated by the majority leader and listed in a unanimous consent leader and listed in a unanimous consent agreement.agreement.

Conference CommitteeConference Committee Used if a bill passes the House and Used if a bill passes the House and

Senate in different formsSenate in different forms Differences must be adjusted Differences must be adjusted

before the bill can become lawbefore the bill can become law If the differences are minor, one If the differences are minor, one

house may simply accede to the house may simply accede to the changes made by the otherchanges made by the other

If differences are major, a If differences are major, a conference committee must iron conference committee must iron them outthem out

In most cases, conference votes In most cases, conference votes tend to favor, slightly, the Senate tend to favor, slightly, the Senate version of the bill.version of the bill.

The Mace – symbol of The Mace – symbol of the Sergeant at Arms.the Sergeant at Arms.

May be presented before May be presented before an unruly member of the an unruly member of the HouseHouse

The President’s SignatureThe President’s Signature

Official portrait of Official portrait of George Washington George Washington

If both houses accept If both houses accept the conference report, the conference report, the bill goes to the the bill goes to the president for president for signature or vetosignature or veto

If the president vetoes If the president vetoes the bill, the veto can the bill, the veto can be overridden by a be overridden by a two-thirds vote of two-thirds vote of those present in each those present in each of the two houses.of the two houses.

Does Congress Represent Constituents' Does Congress Represent Constituents' Opinions?Opinions?

There are three There are three theories why theories why members of members of Congress vote the Congress vote the way they doway they do

Dirkson Senate Office Building

RepresentationalRepresentational Members want to Members want to

get reelected and get reelected and therefore vote to therefore vote to please their please their constituentsconstituents

When the issue When the issue is highly visible is highly visible and the and the constituency is constituency is fairly united in its fairly united in its stance, as was stance, as was the case on civil-the case on civil-rights bills in the rights bills in the 1950s and 1950s and 1960s.1960s.

OrganizationalOrganizational

Members of Members of Congress Congress respond to cues respond to cues provided by their provided by their fellow members. fellow members.

Such as:Such as: Party Party ideological and intra-party ideological and intra-party

caucuses, such as the caucuses, such as the Democratic Study Group, Democratic Study Group, may also be important. may also be important.

Members also tend to go Members also tend to go along with their party's along with their party's representatives on the representatives on the sponsoring committee and sponsoring committee and with their state delegations.with their state delegations.

AttitudinalAttitudinal

More ideological in More ideological in their thinking than the their thinking than the public at largepublic at large

Democratic members Democratic members tend to be strongly tend to be strongly liberalliberal

Republicans Republicans conservativeconservative

The WELL, immediately in front of the The WELL, immediately in front of the SpeakerSpeaker

This is where members stand to This is where members stand to address the Houseaddress the House

Current Issues Current Issues Term limits Term limits Lifetime limits produce Lifetime limits produce

amateur legislators who amateur legislators who are less prone to are less prone to compromise compromise

Limiting continuous Limiting continuous sequence leads to sequence leads to office-hopping and push office-hopping and push for public attentionfor public attention

1995, Congress failed to 1995, Congress failed to approve resolutions for a approve resolutions for a constitutional amendment constitutional amendment on term limitson term limits

Supreme Court ruled Supreme Court ruled states cannot states cannot constitutionally impose constitutionally impose term limits on Congressterm limits on Congress

Ethics and CongressEthics and Congress The system of checks and The system of checks and

balances is designed to balances is designed to fragment political power and fragment political power and thus prevent any single branch thus prevent any single branch from becoming tyrannical. from becoming tyrannical.

BUT, this also provides BUT, this also provides multiple points of access to multiple points of access to influence government officials influence government officials and corruption.and corruption.

Today this has caused the Today this has caused the public's low opinion of public's low opinion of Congress, with only 17 Congress, with only 17 percent approving of its percent approving of its performance in 1992.performance in 1992.

The series of scandals can be The series of scandals can be lumped into three categorieslumped into three categories

Violation of Criminal LawViolation of Criminal Law Violation of criminal Violation of criminal

law is obviously law is obviously unethical unethical

Since 1941, nearly Since 1941, nearly fifty members faced fifty members faced criminal charges, criminal charges, most convictedmost convicted

1978-1992, charges 1978-1992, charges of congressional of congressional misconduct against misconduct against sixty-three memberssixty-three members

31 sanctioned, 31 sanctioned, convicted convicted

16 resigned or 16 resigned or announced retirementannounced retirement

Financial ImproprietiesFinancial Improprieties Use of their political office to Use of their political office to

obtain some monetary benefit obtain some monetary benefit they would ordinarily not they would ordinarily not receive.receive.

Representative Tony Coehlo, Representative Tony Coehlo, for example, took a loan from a for example, took a loan from a political fund-raiser and resigned political fund-raiser and resigned over the apparent conflict of over the apparent conflict of interest; interest;

Senator David Durenburger was Senator David Durenburger was "denounced" by the Senate for "denounced" by the Senate for requiring groups to purchase requiring groups to purchase numerous copies of his book as numerous copies of his book as payment for speaking.payment for speaking.

In 1989, the powerful Speaker In 1989, the powerful Speaker of the House, Jim Wright of of the House, Jim Wright of Texas, was compelled to resign; Texas, was compelled to resign;

In 1997, Newt Gingrich became In 1997, Newt Gingrich became the first Speaker in House history the first Speaker in House history to be reprimanded.to be reprimanded.

Sexual Escapades of CongressSexual Escapades of Congress The problems have ranged The problems have ranged

from Representative from Representative Barney Frank's homosexual Barney Frank's homosexual relationship with a male relationship with a male prostitute to Representative prostitute to Representative Donald Luken's 1989 Donald Luken's 1989 conviction for a sexual conviction for a sexual encounter with a sixteen-encounter with a sixteen-year-old female. year-old female.

Recently focus is on sexual Recently focus is on sexual harassment on Capitol Hill;harassment on Capitol Hill;

Senator Robert Packwood Senator Robert Packwood was forced to resign in was forced to resign in 1995, after the Ethics 1995, after the Ethics Committee recommended Committee recommended that he be expelled for that he be expelled for having sexually harassed having sexually harassed several women and for several women and for refusing to be completely refusing to be completely cooperative with the ethics cooperative with the ethics investigation.investigation.

A 1993 poll by the A 1993 poll by the Washington Post Washington Post discovered that one of every nine discovered that one of every nine female staffers reports having been a female staffers reports having been a victim of sexual harassment by a victim of sexual harassment by a member of Congress.member of Congress.

Packwood – Rep.Packwood – Rep.

Frank – Dem.

Political Abuse of PowerPolitical Abuse of Power The Keating FiveThe Keating Five

Charles Keating, head of Lincoln Charles Keating, head of Lincoln Savings and Loan (S&L), contributed an Savings and Loan (S&L), contributed an estimated $1.3 million to the campaigns estimated $1.3 million to the campaigns of five senators.of five senators.

These senators in turn intervened on These senators in turn intervened on Keating's behalf during a government Keating's behalf during a government investigation into the mismanagement of investigation into the mismanagement of his S&L, an intervention that delayed his S&L, an intervention that delayed government action and eventually cost government action and eventually cost taxpayers $2 billion to bail out the taxpayers $2 billion to bail out the institution when it failed.institution when it failed.

The senators responded that they were The senators responded that they were acting only to represent a constituentacting only to represent a constituent

Only one senator, Alan Cranston (who Only one senator, Alan Cranston (who was about to retire), received a formal was about to retire), received a formal censure for his activities in this episode. censure for his activities in this episode.

From Cincinnati, OhioFrom Cincinnati, Ohio

Codes of EthicsCodes of Ethics

Assume corruption is Assume corruption is mainly a monetary mainly a monetary concern.concern.

Favor wealthy Favor wealthy members of Congress members of Congress who have no need to who have no need to supplement their supplement their incomes. incomes.

The Vote to Reprimand Speaker Newt The Vote to Reprimand Speaker Newt GingrichGingrich

- 104- 104thth Congress Congress House Democrats claimed that House Democrats claimed that

the new Speaker, Newt the new Speaker, Newt Gingrich (R, Georgia), had Gingrich (R, Georgia), had previously engaged in previously engaged in questionable activitiesquestionable activities

On December 6, 1995, House On December 6, 1995, House Ethics Committee found Ethics Committee found Gingrich guilty of violating Gingrich guilty of violating House rules inHouse rules in

publicizing his college course publicizing his college course allowing one of his political allowing one of his political

consultants to interview consultants to interview candidates for congressional candidates for congressional staff positions. staff positions.

Why was this influence pedaling?Why was this influence pedaling? The committee dismissed The committee dismissed

two other charges: two other charges: It concluded that free cable It concluded that free cable

broadcasting of the college broadcasting of the college course did not have to be course did not have to be reported as a financial reported as a financial donation from the cable donation from the cable companycompany

it only criticized the it only criticized the acceptance of a book acceptance of a book advance from HarperCollins, advance from HarperCollins, saying that the action had saying that the action had created the impression created the impression of ,exploiting one's office for of ,exploiting one's office for personal gain." personal gain."

The deal had originally The deal had originally involved a $4.5 million involved a $4.5 million advance, which Gingrich advance, which Gingrich returned returned

Let’s Make a DealLet’s Make a Deal

Instead, he agreed to Instead, he agreed to write one book and write one book and edit another, for a $1 edit another, for a $1 advance and a share advance and a share of sales royalties. of sales royalties.

HarperCollins was HarperCollins was owned by Rupert owned by Rupert Murdoch, whose Murdoch, whose media interests stood media interests stood to be affected by to be affected by pending legislationpending legislation

First Speaker to be ReprimandedFirst Speaker to be Reprimanded

Many House Republicans, Many House Republicans, whose leaders had whose leaders had insisted that the report insisted that the report would be comparatively would be comparatively mild, felt betrayed. mild, felt betrayed.

On January 21, the House On January 21, the House voted in favor of the voted in favor of the disciplinary actions disciplinary actions recommended by the recommended by the Ethics Committee. Ethics Committee.

Newt Gingrich became Newt Gingrich became the first Speaker to be the first Speaker to be reprimanded by the reprimanded by the House of House of Representatives.Representatives.

Calling the Duck Calling the Duck a ducka duck

A short time later, A short time later, the Clinton Lewinsky the Clinton Lewinsky scandalscandal

Gingrich was calling Gingrich was calling for the impeachment for the impeachment of the Presidentof the President

He assailed the He assailed the character of the character of the PresidentPresident

Then Larry Flynt's Then Larry Flynt's "Hustler Magazine" "Hustler Magazine" offered money for offered money for those with those with information about information about the extramarital the extramarital affairs of the affairs of the Republican Republican members of members of CongressCongress

Is Anybody ethical?Is Anybody ethical? Evidence was obtained that Evidence was obtained that

Gingrich had also had an Gingrich had also had an extramarital affair and he extramarital affair and he stepped down from the stepped down from the speakership and speakership and announced he would not announced he would not run for reelectionrun for reelection

After the Republican After the Republican caucus chose Bob caucus chose Bob Livingston as speaker it Livingston as speaker it was found out that he too was found out that he too had an affairhad an affair

Finally the Republicans Finally the Republicans settled on Dennis Hastert settled on Dennis Hastert as Speaker of the House.as Speaker of the House.

New ethics rules (104th Congress)New ethics rules (104th Congress)

Honoraria: House Honoraria: House bans, Senators may bans, Senators may designate charity designate charity

Campaign funds: ban Campaign funds: ban retaining of surplusretaining of surplus

Lobbying: former Lobbying: former members banned for members banned for one yearone year

Gifts: $250 House Gifts: $250 House limit, $100 Senatelimit, $100 Senate

Lobbyist payments Lobbyist payments banned for travel, banned for travel, legal defense funds, legal defense funds, charitable donationscharitable donations

Three Stages of House of Rep.Three Stages of House of Rep.

Mid-1940s to early 1960s Mid-1940s to early 1960s Powerful committee chairs, mostly from the South Powerful committee chairs, mostly from the South Long apprenticeships for new membersLong apprenticeships for new members Small congressional staffs so members dealt face-to-faceSmall congressional staffs so members dealt face-to-face

2. Early 1970s to early 1980s2. Early 1970s to early 1980s Spurred by civil rights efforts of younger, mostly northern Spurred by civil rights efforts of younger, mostly northern

members members Growth in size of staffsGrowth in size of staffs Electronic voting meant members more often on recordElectronic voting meant members more often on record Focus on reelection--sophomore surgeFocus on reelection--sophomore surge More amendments and filibustersMore amendments and filibusters

Early 1980s to PresentEarly 1980s to Present

Strengthening and centralizing party leadership Strengthening and centralizing party leadership

Reassertion of congressional power in 1970sReassertion of congressional power in 1970s Reaction to Vietnam, Watergate, and divided Reaction to Vietnam, Watergate, and divided

government government War Powers Act of 1973War Powers Act of 1973 Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974 Legislative veto included in more lawsLegislative veto included in more laws

Congressional power never as weak as critics Congressional power never as weak as critics have allegedhave alleged