10/12 & 10/14 Read: Ellis & Nelson Chpt 13: Senate represent people, not states Lowi, Chpt 6 REVIEW (last week): Congress US House of Representatives Power dispersed Speaker & party leaders some power Business conducted in decentralized committees Seniority still matters, not as much Floor debate tightly controlled
US Senate: A different beast than US House Unique constitutional roles o Advice and consent o Impeachment (convict) o Treaties o Judicial appointments o Cabinet appointments More powers to individual members o Committee system matters less o Individuals can block nominees, bills
o Holds = power to block something from coming to floor o Secret o Riders on must pass legislation Different mode of representation o States in a federal system (2 sen. each) o States, not people o Minority party has far more influence o Individual Senator far more influence House v. Senate A. Senate (even) more decentralized Hard to impose discipline on 90-100 millionaires
More national stature than House: o media visibility o constitutional responsibilities Many Senators potential presidential candidates GORE, QUAYLE, HART, HARKIN BENSTEN, MONDALE, NIXON, HHH, LJB, JFK, TSONGAS, GRAHM, DOLE, McCAIN, BRADELY, EDWARDS, KERRY, OBAMA, CLINTON, BIDDEN, DODD, RUBIO, CRUZ, WARREN, Senate norms different: less specialization less apprenticeship less reciprocity less committee power B. Rules of business in Senate less formal than House Much more debate More floor amendments
Rule of Debate: in House, standing (closed) rule is: * majority party leaders in total control * debate limited to 1 hour per bill * change rule only by unanimous consent * ltd. / no amendments to bills on floor * committees in House control amnds. in Senate, standing rule is: * unlimited floor debate on each bill * rules allow more floor amends * weakens powers of committees & chairs * threat of filibuster (endless debate) powerful tool * anyone can try it
Filibuster = endless debate in attempt to shut down Senate Talking filibuster no longer used One or more Senators can speak as long as they want Old rule, minority must remain on floor and speak See clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx8afpnwxpa To close Senate debate (end filibuster): Must secure 3/5 of body 60 votes (Cloture) Rule 22 changed in 1975 Previously needed 2/3 (67 votes, now 60) New rules allow 'virtual filibuster'
"in Senate can move to other business when filibuster process" Bill killed, Senator need not be there Way easier to filibuster See slides C. Senate leadership powers less formal Pres of Senate = VP (Biden) Majority Leader (Reid) Minority Leader (McConnell) D. Why do we have a US Senate? What interests are protected? Why do they need protection?
Who is given disproportionate power? 20 small states = 40 Senators for 28 million people 9.9% of US population 25 small states = 50 Senators for 46 million people 16.4%of US population Would we apportion the WA State Senate this way?
I. The Executive Branch (The Prez) A. Major Themes; what is power vs. Congress what is nature of Prez power? is President too strong? B. Power: In Constitution, a 'weak' branch 1. Original formal powers quite limited particularly in domestic politics executive powers from Constitution = execute laws unlike parliamentary system, no power to legislate access to leg. process indirect, distant a. Veto power: a negative power 2. administer government operations Cabinet
power over agencies/bureaucracy? appoints department heads w/ set policy & goals only appoints about 2000 positions 3. influence on judiciary indirect, no control of justice once appointed 4. impeachable by Congress 5. BUT: extra-constitutional powers from EOP C. Pres Power: Domestic vs. Foreign Politics 1. Constl. limits on power in intl. relations less clear than ltds. on domestic power 2. Commander-Chief power over day-to-day operations of military
NOT power to initiate conflict 3. Treaty power enter, negotiate treaties w/ other govts. Senate advise and consent D. Founder's Intentions re: power of Prez. 1. Distrust 2. legislature close to people 3. military & War Powers: Madison: executive only has power to repel attacks Const calculated to guard against an executive hurrying into war Madison to Jefferson: executives are prone to war, legislatures are not... Calculated wording in Const:
Congress shall declare war... Prez. issues admin orders of operation to forces after Congress give command to war E. Power of Modern Presidents Great change & increase since 1787