Unit 4: The National Legislature

ARTICLE IWhat do we already know?

What does Congress do?

Translates the public will into public policy in the forms of law (make laws)

Oversees Bureaucracy

Consensus Building

Clarifying policy to the public

Legitimization and Expressing Diversity

Federalists’ view of the Legislative Branch: Congress is the first Branch of government because of the powers and prerogative

Foundations

Framers purposely crafted a body that favored deliberation to act boldly only when backed by persistent popular majority, or a broad consensus among its leaders, or both.

Why?

SLOW TO ACT!

Bicameral Legislature:

Two chamber legislature. Originally the House would be elected by the people and Senate would be elected by State legislatures

Foundations

Why a bicameral legislature?

Historical Basis

Practical Basis

Theoretical Basis

Historical Basis:

British Parliament had two houses, Americans understood this because they were used to it.

House of Lords and House of Commons

Practical Basis

Two chambers settled the conflict between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.

How did these two plans present representation?

Theoretical Basis

One house works as a check on the other. We wouldn’t want one house to usurp all legislative power.

Influence

Each individual exercises some influence so the beliefs and interests of each individual are very important.

Terms and Sessions

Term for Congress: 2 years

Currently in our Second Session

Session: 1 year

House of Representatives

House of Representatives

•House wants to be both big and powerful as individuals (each member) but also be powerful as a group. If you want to be powerful as a group you need a smaller group. This would make individuals lose some power. If individuals gain power, the loose collective power. It is a contradiction.

•Do they want to be powerful as a group? Or powerful as individuals?

•House wants to be both big and powerful as individuals (each member) but also be powerful as a group. If you want to be powerful as a group you need a smaller group. This would make individuals lose some power. If individuals gain power, the loose collective power. It is a contradiction.

•Do they want to be powerful as a group? Or powerful as individuals?

Elections and TermsElections and Terms

•There are 435 seats...each Representative represents about 650,000 Americans.

•The Number was set by Congress in the Reapportionment Act of 1929

•Each State is guaranteed at least 1 representative.

•There are 435 seats...each Representative represents about 650,000 Americans.

•The Number was set by Congress in the Reapportionment Act of 1929

•Each State is guaranteed at least 1 representative.

•There are 7 States that only have 1 rep apiece

•Representatives are chosen every 2nd year, so they have two year terms. This means that the next election is always around the corner.

•House members must reside in the district they represent

•There are 7 States that only have 1 rep apiece

•Representatives are chosen every 2nd year, so they have two year terms. This means that the next election is always around the corner.

•House members must reside in the district they represent

•Elections for the House must take place within each congressional district.

•House incumbent rates: election rates at about 90% because they are better known, its easier to raise funds, can use staff to do constituent service, and they can serve on committees that help constituents.

•Elections for the House must take place within each congressional district.

•House incumbent rates: election rates at about 90% because they are better known, its easier to raise funds, can use staff to do constituent service, and they can serve on committees that help constituents.

Formal Qualifications for the House

Formal Qualifications for the House

•25 years of age

•US Citizen for at least 7 years

•Inhabitant of the State you are elected

•25 years of age

•US Citizen for at least 7 years

•Inhabitant of the State you are elected

Informal QualificationsInformal Qualifications

• Vote getting abilities

• Party identification

• Name

• Familiarity

• Gender

• Ethnic characteristic

• Political experience

• Right combination of these

• Vote getting abilities

• Party identification

• Name

• Familiarity

• Gender

• Ethnic characteristic

• Political experience

• Right combination of these

House of Reps and Diversity

Average member is a white male about 53 years of age

74 women

Almost all are married

42 African Americans

27 Hispanic Americans

4 Asian Americans

1 Native Americans

1 Gay American

First Muslim, first Buddhists

SENATESENATE

• Senators are supposed to be less concerned with the interests of a special locality and more focused on the big picture...why?

• They are a prime source of contenders for the presidential nominations.

• Senators must meet a higher level of qualifications than Reps

• Generally thought to be a more prestigious position than the House

• Framers hoped that Senators would be more enlightened and responsible than the House. Why?

• Senators are supposed to be less concerned with the interests of a special locality and more focused on the big picture...why?

• They are a prime source of contenders for the presidential nominations.

• Senators must meet a higher level of qualifications than Reps

• Generally thought to be a more prestigious position than the House

• Framers hoped that Senators would be more enlightened and responsible than the House. Why?

Elections and TermsElections and Terms

•How were Senators originally chosen?

•Originally chosen by State legislatures, but that changed with the 17th Amendment (1913).

•Each state is guaranteed 2 Senators. How many Senators are there?

•How were Senators originally chosen?

•Originally chosen by State legislatures, but that changed with the 17th Amendment (1913).

•Each state is guaranteed 2 Senators. How many Senators are there?

•Terms last 6 years, no term limits

•Elections of 1/3 of the Senate every two years.

•Continuos body - all of its seats are never up for election at the same time

•Terms last 6 years, no term limits

•Elections of 1/3 of the Senate every two years.

•Continuos body - all of its seats are never up for election at the same time

•Greater job security - less subject to the pressures of public opinion and interest groups. Why?

•Not always concerned with reelection

•Greater job security - less subject to the pressures of public opinion and interest groups. Why?

•Not always concerned with reelection

•States as a whole vote for Senators. These elections are generally more competitive, expensive, high profile, and draw more candidates from other elected offices than House elections.

•Why?

•States as a whole vote for Senators. These elections are generally more competitive, expensive, high profile, and draw more candidates from other elected offices than House elections.

•Why?

QualificationsQualifications

•30 years old

•citizens for 9 years

•inhabit state where they are elected from

•30 years old

•citizens for 9 years

•inhabit state where they are elected from

Diversity in SenateAverage member is a white male about 58 years old

Change is slower than in the House

1 African American

16 women

13 Jewish Americans

3 Hispanic Americans

2 Asian - Americans

1 Arab - Americans

Demographics in Congress