Congress: The First Branch

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Congress The First Branch
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Basic Facts
Which is more democratic? Which is more
republican? Note I am not referring to
political parties! Here, democratic and
republican refer to the type of government.
25
30
2 years
6 years
435
100
435
1/3
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Representation I
Reapportionment The redistribution of the 435
House seats among the states.
Redistricting The Redrawing of districts within
the state.
Why 435? Set by law, not by the Constitution.
Unchanged since 1911
Why 100? Constitution requires 2 per state.
Equal Representation of States. Selected by State
Legislatures until 17th Amdmt. (1913)
Proportional Representation of Each States
Population.
Determined by Census every decade, then
reapportioned, and redistricted.
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Representation II
Senate
House
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Institutions Matter
(Warning This story may just be a legend!)
A Conversation Between G. Washington and T.
Jefferson While Drinking Coffee

• Examples of Cases When the Senate Has Blocked
  Bills Passed by the House
• Civil Rights Legislation (1870s-1964)
• Balanced Budget Amendment (1990s)
• Flag Burning Amendment (1987-present)
• Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment (1994-present)

• Jefferson (as he pours some coffee into a
  saucer) Im still puzzled by some aspects of
  this new constitution. For example, the House is
  sufficient to pass legislation, so what is the
  purpose of the Senate?
• Washington Why did you just pour your coffee
  into that saucer?
• Jefferson To cool it downit is much too hot to
  drink.
• Washington Yes, just as we shall pour
  legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it
  down.

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The End