What is Congress’ Role?What is Congress’ Role?

Congress’ Enumerated Congress’ Enumerated PowersPowers

Specific powers listed in Article I, Specific powers listed in Article I, Section 8 (see Pg. 318)Section 8 (see Pg. 318)

ALSOALSO Power of Consent for Presidential ActsPower of Consent for Presidential Acts

Create & regulate new Create & regulate new states/territories.states/territories.

Can propose constitutional Can propose constitutional amendments. amendments.

Congress’ Implied PowersCongress’ Implied Powers Necessary and Proper Powers = not Necessary and Proper Powers = not

expressed in the Constitution.expressed in the Constitution.

First used when Hamilton created First used when Hamilton created the National Bank (1792) the National Bank (1792)

Upheld in McCulloch v. Maryland Upheld in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).(1819).

Includes power to create agencies Includes power to create agencies (IRS)(IRS)

Congress’ Enforcement Congress’ Enforcement PowersPowers

First Provided in the 13First Provided in the 13th th Amendment Amendment

Used this power w/ Commerce Clause Used this power w/ Commerce Clause to enforce Civil Rights Act 1964 to to enforce Civil Rights Act 1964 to end discrimination against Blacks.end discrimination against Blacks.

Enforcement Powers shift govt. Enforcement Powers shift govt. power away from states toward power away from states toward National Govt. National Govt.

Congress’ Inherent PowersCongress’ Inherent Powers Powers that are so obviously a Powers that are so obviously a

part of Congresspart of Congress

– Ex: Power to conduct Ex: Power to conduct investigationsinvestigations

– Ex: Power to create committeesEx: Power to create committees

How does Congress How does Congress Represent?Represent?

No limit on the # of terms a rep. can No limit on the # of terms a rep. can serve.serve.

Districts are determined by Districts are determined by population.population.

Every 10 year census = district lines Every 10 year census = district lines will be redrawn by state legislatures.will be redrawn by state legislatures.

Districts must Districts must have equal have equal populations.populations.

GerrymanderingGerrymandering: : drawing district drawing district lines to favor one lines to favor one political party.political party.

How Gerrymandering can How Gerrymandering can influence electoral resultsinfluence electoral results

Changes to Congressional Changes to Congressional RepresentationRepresentation

Seventeenth Amendment (1913):Seventeenth Amendment (1913): direct direct election of senatorselection of senators

1913: House of Reps. capped @ 435 + 5 1913: House of Reps. capped @ 435 + 5 other members from Washington DC & other members from Washington DC & territories.territories.

3 mill./435 = 1 Rep. per 670,000 3 mill./435 = 1 Rep. per 670,000 people!people!

1959: Senate capped at 100.1959: Senate capped at 100.

What guides Reps. in What guides Reps. in Congress? Congress?

Reps. are both Reps. are both Delegates Delegates & & TrusteesTrustees..

Delegate Theory:Delegate Theory: Reps. mirror their Reps. mirror their constituents views (Anti-Fed view).constituents views (Anti-Fed view).

Trustee Theory: Trustee Theory: Reps. gain the trust Reps. gain the trust of their constituents and use their of their constituents and use their best judgment (Federalist view).best judgment (Federalist view).

How do members of Congress How do members of Congress serve their Constituents?serve their Constituents?

1.1. CommunicationCommunication

2.2. CaseworkCasework

3.3. Serving InterestsServing Interests