What do we think of Congress? Discuss each quotation: What does it mean? (your interpretation) What does the author think of Congress? (bias) What does/can the quote tell us about how Congress works?
Founders Intentions? 1. Strongest branch? 2. Separation of lawmaking power from executive 3. Bicameralism balances large/small states House more connected to people (2 yr term) Senate allows for independent or nationally focused thinking (6 yr term)
Unintended Consequences of Bicameral Legislature Gridlock may take place. difficulty passing laws Political compromise can take place. An additional check and balance takes place.
Elections House members directly elected Senators directly elected after 17 th Amendment (1913) Previously elected by state legislators
Congressional Job Approval
How Congress Works
Who s in Congress?
Demographic Profile of the 114th Congress
Demographic Profile of the 115th Congress Senate: 51 R / 47 D / 2 I
Demographic Profile of the 114th Congress
Demographic Profile of the 114th Congress
Demographic Profile of the 115th Congress
Demographic Profile of the 114th Congress
Demographic Profile of the 114th Congress
Demographic Profile of the 115th Congress
Demographic Profile of the 114th Congress
Demographic Profile of the 115th Congress House: 57. 8 years old avg Senate: 61.8 years old avg
Demographic Profile of Congress Summary Has been growing increasingly more diverse since the 1950s. The House of Reps has become more diverse more quickly than the Senate
House-Senate Differences House 435 members; 2 yr terms; 7 yr citizen Low turnover Speaker bill referral hard to challenge Scheduling/rules controlled by majority party with powerful Rules Committee (controls time of debate, amends., etc) Senate 100 members; 6 yr terms; 9 yr citizen Moderate turnover Referral decisions easily challenged Scheduling/rules agreed to by majority & minority leaders
House-Senate Differences House Debate limited to 1 hour Members policy specialists Emphasizes tax & revenue policy More formal & impersonal Senate Unlimited debate unless cloture invoked (filibuster) Members policy generalists Emphasizes foreign policy More informal & personal
Party Leadership Bicameral Republican Leadership 114th Congress Senate Democratic Leadership 112th Congress
Stopped
Leadership Big Ideas Majority party controls the most significant leadership positions House - Speaker of the House Allows people to speak on floor Assigns bills to committees Influences which bills are brought to a vote Appoints members of special and select committees Senate Majority Leader Schedules Senate business Prioritizes bills
HOUSE LEADERSHIP 115 th Congress Speaker (majority party) Republicans: Majority Leader Majority Whip Steering & Policy Committee ALL COMMITTEE CHAIR POSITIONS! Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA)
HOUSE LEADERSHIP 115 th Congress Democrats: Minority Leader Minority Whip Policy Committee Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MA)
SENATE LEADERSHIP President of the Senate (Vice President) President Pro Tempore (majority party) Republicans: Majority Leader Majority Whip Policy Committee Steering Committee ALL COMMITTEE CHAIR POSITIONS 115 th Congress President of the Senate Mike Pence (R) Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch (R-UT) Majority Whip John Cornyn (R- TX)
SENATE LEADERSHIP 115 th Congress Democrats: Minority Leader Minority Whip Policy Committee Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-KY) Minority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL)
CAUCUSES Groups (may be bipartisan) meeting to pursue common legislative objectives Rivals to parties in policy formulation Examples: Democratic Study Group, Congressional Black Caucus, Tuesday Lunch Bunch, Human Rights, Congressional Caucus for Women s Issues, Out of Iraq Caucus, Rural Caucus, Travel & Tourism Caucus, House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children