The Legislative Branch
Despite being the political institution that is closest to the people, Congress is the least popular of the three branches of government Congress approval = 18.6% approve, 72.4% disapprove = -53.8% spread (per RealClearPolitics 2/17/15) Obama approval = 45% approve, 50.3% disapprove = -5.3% spread (per RealClearPolitics 3/2/15) It is less popular for several reasons: a. More involved in lawmaking/sausage-making and so more deeply involved in struggles of politics b. Americans tend not to like big government, bureaucracy and red tape so they usually blame congress, the law-making branch c. Doesn t have the same aura in popular imagination as the POTUS d. As a branch, congress is probably less visible and more mysterious (most people don t even know who their own representative is )
Congress is LESS popular than
60 Minutes Exposes on Congressional Behavior 1) Congress: Trading Stock on Insider Information 2) Jack Abramoff: The Lobbyists Playbook 3) Congress: Washington s Open Secret
The Constitution gave Congress several powers: *to levy taxes *to borrow money *to coin money *to declare war *to raise armies *to determine the nature of the federal judiciary *to regulate commerce with foreign governments and among states
In practice, the powers of Congress rest in the following four areas: 1) It is the arm of govt. responsible for MAKING LAWS (federal laws introduced, discussed, and either accepted or rejected) 2) It has the POWER OF OVERSITE that is, it checks on the work of the federal bureaucracy, making sure it carries out the intent of congress 3) It has the final say over the FEDERAL BUDGET, which is developed by the President s Office of Management and Budget but must be approved by Congress 4) The Senate has the power to CHECK AND CONFIRM ALL KEY PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES except those who work directly for the POTUS in the Wh. House
Constitutional Powers of Congress 1. The Constitution says remarkably little about presidential power. 2. There is little that the POTUS can do on his own, and they share executive, legislative, and judicial power with other branches of govt. 3. Congress, NOT the President, was to be supreme, which is why Congress was granted so many crucial powers where the executive was not
Congress: Introduction Since the great depression and WWII the Executive Branch increased its influence and power compared to Congress 1930s-early 1990s period of executive ascendancy Congress remains a vital player in the American political game perhaps NOT powerful enough anymore to shape the nation s policies on its own as the founders intended but still worthy of our examination
Congress: The Basics The Congress of the United States is Bicameral (2 branches) made up of Senate and House of Representatives Senate: consists of 2 senators from each state regardless of size. They serve 6 year terms House: House members are distributed according to population the larger the state s population, the more reps it gets. They serve 2 year terms
Congress: The Basics Basic Requirements 1. 535 members: a. 2 Senators p/state = 100 b. 435 members of the House = by population. Bigger the state, more Reps (CA has 53, Vermont 1) 2. House members MUST be: a. at least 25, American citizen for 7 years 3. Senate members MUST be: a. at least 30, American citizen for 9 years 4. 4. All members of Congress MUST be: a. residents of the states from which they are elected
Congress: The Job Believe it or not, HARD WORK is probably the most prominent characteristic of a Congressperson s job According to the course text (2004: 205) members of Congress usually work about 11 hour days, 7 days a week when in session, which "adds up to approximately 300 working days a year"
Congress: The Job Perks a. Salary = $174,000 about 4x the income of the typical American BUT well BELOW that of hundreds of corporate presidents (leaders make $193,400) b. Generous retirement benefits c. Office space in Wash DC and in district d. Substantial Congressional staff e. Handsome travel allowances to see constituents each year, plus opportunities to travel at low fares or even free to foreign nations on Congressional inquiries ( JUNCKETS ) f. Franking Privilege = free use of mail system to communicate with their constituents g. Other perks: free flowers from Ntl Botanical Gradens, research services from Library of Congress, and exercise rooms and pools
Congress: Classic Sayings 1) Classic Warning heard often in Congress: You have to save your seat before you can save the world 2) Another classic: all politics is local 3) Another classic Political Hippocratic Oath: Do no harm unto thine own career
Congress: Why do Incumbent Congressmen always seem to win? 96-98% reelection rates since 1998
Congress: Why do Incumbent Congressmen always seem to win? Voters know who they are Advertising/Visibility/ Home Styling Credit Claiming WEAK OPPONENTS Favorable Redistricting And
Congress: How does a Bill become a Law?
Congress and Foreign Policy The Democrats Policy on the Terrorist Threat
Congress and Foreign Policy The Republicans Policy on the Terrorist Threat
My point here: Congress really doesn t make foreign policy, the POTUS does
Congress: Questions Already covered