U.S. Congress: Structure and Powers

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U.S. CongressStructure and Powers
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Powers of Congress

• Enumerated powers
• Powers expressly granted to Congress in the
  Constitution
• Examples Levy taxes, regulate interstate
  commerce
• Expanded powers
• Necessary and Proper Clause
• Commerce Clause
• Spending Clause

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Functions of Congress

• Lawmaking
• How does a bill become a law?
• Logrolling
• Service to constituents
• Casework
• Representation
• Oversight
• Educating the public

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House-Senate Differences

• Representation based on population
• Constituencies
• Length of term
• Impeachment vs. Conviction
• Limited debate vs. filibuster
• Advise and consent
• Party loyalty

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Leadership Structure

• Senate
• President
• Dick Cheney (VP)
• President Pro-Tempore
• Ted Stevens (R-AK)
• Majority Leader
• Bill Frist (R-TN)
• Minority Leader
• Tom Daschle (D-SD)
• Majority Whip
• Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
• Minority Whip
• Harry Reid (D-NV)

• House
• Speaker of House
• Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
• Majority Leader
• Tom DeLay (R-TX)
• Minority Leader
• Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
• Majority Whip
• Roy Blunt (R-MO)
• Minority Whip
• Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

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Committee Structure

• Committee structure divides legislative labor
  through specialization
• Standing Committees
• Select Committees
• Conference Committees
• Joint Committees
• Committee chairmen used to be determined by
  seniority ? now these are partisan decisions

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Fennos Paradox
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Publics Evaluation of Congress
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Publics Evaluation of Congress