CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be...
-
Upload
christian-cain -
Category
Documents
-
view
218 -
download
0
Transcript of CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be...
![Page 1: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
CONGRESS
![Page 2: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
If Men Were Angels….
Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract
ambition… If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control to governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”
James Madison, Federalist 51
![Page 3: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Representation of the People
![Page 4: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Reapportionment: reassigning of seats in Congress based on the U.S. Census data
Redistricting: redrawing of U.S. congressional districts based on U.S. Census data. Redistricting occurs after seats are lost/gained in House or after significant population changes in state populations.
Reapportionment and Redistricting
![Page 5: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Reapportionment and Redistricting Responsibility of the state legislatures Governor can veto Every ten years Drawing district lines to favor one
political party over another is gerrymandering.
![Page 6: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Gerrymandering
Elbridge Gerry
![Page 7: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Supreme Court Cases
Baker v. Carr 1962 U.S. Supreme Court ruled that voters have
the standing to challenge legislative apportionment in federal courts
Wesberry v. Sanders 1964 One man one vote decision Districts must be equitable in population
![Page 8: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Campaigns in Congress
“Permanent Congress” Permanent Campaigns in House
House Spends Less than Senate Factors Affecting Reelection: President’s
Popularity, Economic Conditions “Safe Seats”
![Page 9: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
House v. Senate Incumbents House: Rare challengers, seats are safer
from election turnover than are Senate seats
95% win reelection in House Senate: More money spent on a Senate
election Tougher competition for reelection in the
Senate No term limits on House or Senate
![Page 10: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Advantages for Incumbents
Franking privilege Right of members of Congress sot send mail to
their constituents at the government’s expense Staff Access to broadcast studios Media connections Committees to provide services for
constituents Name recognition Receive more campaign contributions
![Page 11: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Demographics
Mostly male Well educated Middle and upper incomes Law is most common occupation Recently, rising number of women and
minorities making it closer to the general public
Why is not like the general public?
![Page 12: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
CONGRESSIONAL CASEWORK
![Page 13: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Our View of Congress
Public opinion of Congress is EXTREMELY low
Who is responsible for national problems?
Congress is and they often fail Senators and Congressmen can directly
impact our lives, communities, etc. (“bringing home the bacon”)
![Page 14: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Constitutional Powers of Congress See Article I of the Constitution (most
powers here) Power to impeach (House only) Power to confirm appointments and ratify
treaties (Senate only) Elastic Clause/ Effect on Congressional
Power Power to Regulate Interstate Commerce
Been Contested Most Frequently in Federal Courts
![Page 15: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Internal Factors Affecting the Legislative Process Bicameralism: bills must pass BOTH
houses, role of conference committee? House Rules Committee: sets time limits
for debate; closed rule v. open rule; calendar
Quorum calls: 218, 51 Roll call votes: individual voice votes,
stalling tactic Committee system: bill assignment,
membership, more than one committee
![Page 16: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Majority power: Leadership positions, committee membership, committee chairmanships
Senate filibuster: talking a bill to death
Internal Factors Affecting the Legislative Process
![Page 17: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Internal factors affecting Congress Bicameralism – must pass both houses, conference
committee’s role? Majority power – leadership, committee
membership, committee chairs House Rules Committee – traffic cop of the house,
time limits, open/closed rule, calendar Senate filibuster – stalling tactic, cloture ends it
with 60 votes Quorum calls – stalling tactic, 218 in House, 51 in
Senate Roll call vote – stalling tactic, voice votes in Senate Committee system – bill assignment, # of
committees for a congressman
![Page 18: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
External Factors Affecting Congress
![Page 19: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
External Factors Affecting the Legislative Process Interest groups: lobbying, campaign
funding from PACs Staff:16,000 aides, home and DC, draft
bills, research, coalition building Coalitions: collective opinions on issues Caucus/Conference: party loyalty; Black
congressional caucus State delegation: may cross party lines Public opinion: re-election, delegate role
v. trustee role
![Page 20: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Constituencies: delegate role Ideologies: conservative v. liberal values
can affect voting “logrolling”: vote trading to get legislation
passed Region: regional issues could trump party
loyalty President: divided government, his
approval ratings
External Factors Affecting the Legislative Process
![Page 21: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
External Factors Affecting Congress Nature of the issue -how pressing is it? Political parties -majority? Leadership?
Agenda? Staff members –workhorses, philosophies,
connections Voters -activism, awareness,
reelection/public opinion Other lawmakers -logrolling, regional/state
voting, coalitions, caucus/conference, President –his approval ratings, veto power Special Interest groups –lobbying, PAC
money, independent expenditures
![Page 22: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Casework v. Pork Barrel
What is the difference? Casework is the responsibility of a
representative to constituents. Example? Cutting through the red tape of bureaucracy
Pork barrel includes the projects, grants and contracts a congressman brings to cities, districts, states, colleges, military bases, and businesses
![Page 23: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
PACs and Congress
Political Action Committees Fundraising, campaign contributing arm
of an interest group Criticisms in Congress?
“buy votes” Access to representatives and senators
![Page 24: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Term Limits in Congress
Currently there are NO term limits in House or Senate
Constitutional amendment Pros?
Share responsibility in government, give others a chance to participate, keep Congress “fresh”
Cons? Want to keep good incumbents in office
![Page 25: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Seniority System
Longest serving members of Congress Chairmen of committees President Pro Tem Seniority is more important in Senate
than House
![Page 26: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
INVESTIGATION AND OVERSIGHT
![Page 27: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Investigative Power
Watergate, Whitewater, 911 Very long and time consuming process Ethics violations of government members Improper or unethical practices in government
(IRS) Committees are VERY important
Collecting information Interviewing witnesses
Results? New laws Changed or new federal programs Removal from office Damaged reputations
![Page 28: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Legislative Oversight
Monitoring bureaucracy and implementing policy through hearings and committees
Evaluating effectiveness of the executive branch
Watchdog function of Congress Examples: FDA and Peanut Butter scare,
HHS and H1N1 vaccines
![Page 29: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Examples of Oversight Function Appointment Confirmation Treaty Ratification Investigations Hearings Visits and Inspections Authorization of Spending/Funding
(Appropriations)
![Page 30: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Limits on Oversight
Inconsistency Limited resources Does not equal more support from
voters Laws are vague and open to
interpretation by bureaucrats Many committees “go native”
![Page 31: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS
![Page 32: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
President and Congress
Designed for Gridlock (Separation of Powers)
Party Politics and Divided Government Organization and the Rules of Congress Timetables May be Different Public Opinion “Stalemate”
![Page 33: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Attempts to Influence Congress Using the media to draw attention to the
legislative program Assigning legislative liaisons in the Executive
Office of the President to lobby legislators Exploiting a partisan majority for the
President’s party in both the House and Senate
Reminding legislators of high popularity ratings for the President in public opinion polls
![Page 34: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Attempts to Curb Presidential Power “imperial presidency” Budget and Impoundment Act (1974) War Powers Act (1973) Both vetoed by Nixon, vetoes overridden Seen as unconstitutional by those who
support a stronger executive
![Page 35: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Budget and Impoundment Act Created the CBO Limits the president’s ability to withhold
funds from expenditure
![Page 36: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
War Powers Act
Forces can be committed after Congress declares war
Specific statutory authorization: President must bring troops home from hostilities within 60 to 90 days unless Congress extends the time
Notify congress within 48 hours Congressional resolution can end the
commitment at any time
![Page 37: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
![Page 38: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
The Legislative Process
Frequently lengthy Decentralized Characterized by compromise and
bargaining Rules:
House operates more by formal rules (size) Senate operates more on informal
understandings
![Page 39: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
The Committee System
Standing (20 in Senate, 25 in House) Permanent Subject-Matter Committees,
Oversee the Bureaucracy’s Implementation of Legislation
Ex: Rules Committee: In House, Sets the Conditions for Debate and Amendment for Most Legislation
Special or Select (Temporary) Joint (Library of Congress, Inauguration) Conference (compromise legislation;
reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and the Senate)
![Page 40: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Committee Contributions to Legislation
Division of labor More important in the House; House is so
large that more work can be accomplished in committees than on the floor
Subject related experience
![Page 41: CONGRESS. If Men Were Angels…. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition… If men were angels, no government.](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022020208/56649e745503460f94b73de7/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Subgovernments or “iron triangles” Networks on
congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process
Committee Contributions to Legislation