CONGRESS

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CONGRESS
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Evolution of Congress

• 318-320 321-325

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I. Congress v. Parliament

• Identify the main differences between Parliament
  and Congress
• How do the differences affect the way Congress
  governs?
• How do the differences further demonstrate the
  weakness in political parties in America?

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II. Evolution of Congress

• What is a bicameral legislature?
• What were some of the fears of the founders in
  setting up Congress?
• How does a bicameral legislature address some of
  these concerns?
• Why did the founders expect congress to be the
  dominant branch?

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II. Evolution of Congress

• Describe Centralized power vs. decentralized
  power. What are the pros and cons of each power
  structure?
• Identify the main characteristics of the 6 phases
  of the House
• Why has the Senate historically been able to
  avoid some of the tensions of the House?
• How did the 17th Amendment change the manner in
  which a senator represents a state?
• Why is the filibuster such a powerful tool for a
  senator?

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Who is in Congress/ Do members represent their
Constituents?

• 325-330 330-333

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I. Overview of Congress

• Term of House member? Senator?
• Each term is numbered consecutively (every 2
  years)
• House designed to be closer to the people/ Senate
  designed to be more deliberative. Evidence?
• Number of Reps? Senators?
• What process determines the allocation of seats
  in the House?
• Qualifications?

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II. Who is in Congress?

• Describe the demographics of the House and
  Senate. What does a typical member of congress
  look like? (age, gender, occupation)
• Why do incumbents enjoy such a great re-election
  advantage? What are the re-election rates for
  each chamber?
• What is a safe district? What is a marginal
  district? How does the type of district impact
  how a representative governs?
• What is gerrymandering? (Baker v. Carr, Wesberry
  v. Sanders)
• What is the result of the breakdown of the
  Conservative coalition of Southern Dems and
  Republicans?

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III. Do members represent their constituents?

• Identify the three theories on congressional
  behavior and describe the basics ideas behind the
  theory.
• Can you think of a scenario/ issue where each
  theory is applicable?
• What is the trend in Congress with regard to
  divisions along ideological lines? How does this
  impact governance?

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Organization of Congress parties and caucuses

• 334-341

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I. Powers of Congress

• Expressed or Enumerated (where are they found?)
• Implied (what clause provides for these powers?)
• Institutional
• Powers denied (identify three)

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II. Parties and Caucuses

• What is the job of the president pro tempore?
  Who holds the position typically?
• What is the job of the majority leader? Who
  selects him?
• What is the job of the party whip?
• Who assigns committee members in each party? Why
  are committee assignments so important?

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II. Parties and Caucuses

• Describe the powers of the Speaker of the House.
• What is similar and different in the structure of
  leadership in the house and senate?
• How strong are parties in Congress?
• What is a congressional caucus? Why would
  republicans oppose them?
• Describe the three types of caucuses. Provide
  examples of each.

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Organization of Congress Committees and Staffs

• 341-345 345-347

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Film Review

• Identify and explain how 3-5 items from the film
  relate to our course content that we have studied
  through readings and class discussions

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I. Committees

• What are the functions of committees? Why are
  committees so important?
• Describe the four types of committees!
• Identify a few examples of each type of
  committee. What is their jurisdiction?
• Which party holds the most seats on a committee?
• What is the seniority system? Pros and cons?
• What did the subcommittee bill of rights
  accomplish?
• Describe some of the changes that the Republicans
  proposed for committees in 1995. Why did they
  take this approach?

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II. Congressional Staffs

• Describe the various tasks performed by
  Congressional staff.
• What is the role of a staff agency? How do they
  contribute to the ideas of checks and balances?
• Identify the major staff agencies. For each,
  describe what they are responsible for.

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How a Bill Becomes a Law

• 347-358

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How a Bill Becomes a Law- Intro

• What determines how quickly a bill passes through
  congress? Why?
• What is the difference between a public and
  private bill?
• Identify and define the 3 types of resolutions?
  Which has the force of law?

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How a bill becomes a law- Committees

• Where must revenue bills originate? Why would
  the founders have insisted on this?
• Where do most bills die?
• Can a bill be heard on the floor if a committee
  does not report it out?
• What are the powers of the House Rules committee?
• Why must the majority leader in the Senate try to
  please each member of the senate?

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How a Bill Becomes a Law- Floor Debates

• What is a rider? Which chamber allows it? Why?
• How is debate in the House and Senate different?
  How might this impact legislation?
• What is so important about 60 votes in the
  senate?
• What are the different vote types (which types do
  each chamber use?)
• What does a conference committee do?
• How does congress override a veto?

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Reducing Power and Perks

• 358-359 359-362

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Reducing Power and Perks

• Why would there be a push to reduce the franking
  privilege?
• What is pork-barrel legislation?
• Why is pork so important to congressmen?
• Is a all pork bad?