Congress: chapter 7
Designing a Legislature
Consider Madison’s quote in the federalist papers #51.
“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty
lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next
place oblige it to control itself.”
Congressional powers: Article I section 8.
How does Congress represent the founders’ intent to provide for a series of
checks and balances?
1- Structure: Bicameralism: Why Bicameralism?
In the Federalist Papers # 51, Madison wrote, ”In a Republican government, the
legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconvenience is
to divide the legislature into different branches.”
- The House and Senate have developed into two distinct legislative bodies because
of their different structures and procedures.
- Compare and contrast the two houses of Congress in terms of size, terms of
office, responsibilities, the way they are elected, and the way they conduct
business?
- How do the two chambers approach policy differently?
2- The Role of Congress:
a- Lawmaking: How a bill becomes a law:
Trace the steps in the legislative process including origin (P, Congress, interest
groups) and formal introduction, committee and subcommittee action, Rules
committee, floor, conference committee action, and presidential action.
- The system provides ample chances for defeat. Consider the different ways by
which a bill can be killed.
- What effect does bicameralism have on the policymaking process?
- What if we eliminate the House? The Senate? One house or two?
b- Representation: Look at the makeup of Congress.
Models of representation: Do members of Congress do what their constituents
want?
A delegate or a trustee? Which model produces the best policy? Which one
enhances their chances of getting reelected?
- When are they more likely to act as delegates?
- Who gets elected? Incumbency advantages
--Why do voters like their own members of Congress but dislike Congress as an
institution?
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Assignment: How did your representative vote?
Go to www.vote-smart.org
1- Find your house representative in Congress. Determine whether he/she is a
Republican or a Democrat.
2- Which district does he represent? Describe the district in terms of level of
income, racial makeup, level of education.
3- Compile a short list of major issues on which your representative voted last year,
and present a brief description of the issues. www.vote-smart.org
4- Do you share his/her views? Would you vote for him/her next elections?
3- Organization: Understanding the organization of Congress is critical to
understanding how policy is made.
The key role of political parties, leadership, and congressional committees.
Why are committees an important part of the legislative process? What do
committees do?
4-Factors affecting the way members of Congress vote on a bill: Members of
Congress have to consider many factors when deciding how to vote for a bill: their
conscience, their constituents, party loyalty, competing policy interests, perhaps
pressure from the president, and above all their desire to get reelected.
5- Thinking critically about Congress and Democracy:
Does Congress need improvement?
www.congress.indiana.edu/lesson_plans/pc_howto_overview.php
1- Polarized Politics in Congress:
One of the most interesting developments in Congress over the past generation has
been the increased homogeneity within each party, and increased ideological
differences between the two.
a- What is the effect of party polarization on the policymaking process?
b- Would you rather see the congressional parties reflect clear ideological
differences or be composed of pragmatists who are willing to bargain to pass
legislation?
2- Some argue that members of Congress are too insulated from ordinary citizens because
of the influence of special interests. To what extent should campaign contributionswhich come from a narrow segment of the constituency- factor into legislative decisions.
Do the interest groups’ lobbying activities diminish your ability as an individual
constituent to be fully represented by your member of Congress? What reforms can
enhance the public’s influence in congressional deliberations.
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