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MOCK CONGRESS
INTRODUCTION
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NATURE OF POLITICS
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INHERENT CONFLICT
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IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT
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SET OF INSTITUTIONS (RULES AND PROCEDURES)
CONGRESS
IMPORTANCE OF RULES
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RULES PROVIDE STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY.
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RULES CREATE LEGITIMACY.
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RULES CREATE ORDER AND SPECIALIZATION.
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RULES REDUCE CONFLICT.
CONGRESS
CONSEQUENCES OF RULES
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RULES ARE NOT NEUTRAL DEVICES.
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AFFECT ACCESS TO POLICY
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AFFECT POLICY OUTCOME
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THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS of CONGRESS:
LAWMAKING
DECISION MAKING
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CONGRESS IS A DECENTRALIZED DECISION MAKING INSTITUTION.
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LEGISLATORS REELECTED IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.
CONGRESS HAS A DIVISION OF LABOR TO HELP MANAGE THE IMMENSE
WORKLOAD.
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RESPONSIBILITY FOR SPECIFIC SUBJECT AREAS IS DISPERSED
AMONG STANDING COMMITTEES.
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STANDING COMMITTEES DEVELOP SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS
WITH INTEREST GROUPS AND EXECUTIVE AGENCIES. THESE
ALLIANCES, OFTEN CALLED SUBGOVERNMENTS OR ISSUE
NETWORKS, INFLUENCE POLICY.
DECISION MAKING
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How Decisions are made…
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POLITICAL INFLUENCE
MULTIPLE DECISION POINTS
BARGAINING AND COALITION BUILDING
POLITICAL INFLUENCE
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CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS ARE INFLUENCED BY NUMEROUS SOURCES.
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CONSTITUENTS (I.E., VOTERS)
PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH
MEDIA
LOBBYISTS AND INTEREST GROUPS
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MULTIPLE DECISION POINTS
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BILL INTRODUCED (EITHER HOUSE OR SENATE)
REFERRED TO A STANDING COMMITTEE (SUBCOMMITTEES)
EXECUTIVE BRANCH INPUT (i.e., executive departments)
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT (COMMITTEE HEARINGS)
VARIOUS MEETINGS OUTSIDE COMMITTEE HEARINGS
FLOOR DEBATE AND FINAL ACTION
REPEAT IN OTHER CHAMBER
PRESIDENTIAL DECISION (AGREE OR VETO)
BARGAINING AND COALITION BUILDING
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BUILDING MAJORITY COALITIONS (3 FORMS)
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LOGROLLING (REVERSE LOGROLLING)
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COMPROMISE (AMENDMENT PROCESS)
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EXCHANGE OF VOTING SUPPORT ON DIFFERENT BILLS
NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE CONTENT OF LEGISLATION
“In politics there are no right answers, only a continuing flow of
compromises between groups resulting in a changing, cloudy, and
ambiguous series of public decisions where appetite and ambition compete
openly with knowledge and wisdom.” (Senator Alan K, Simpson, RWyoming)
NONLEGISLATIVE FAVORS (i.e., committee assignments, larger office space,
seeking higher office, getting reelected)
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Party leaders build coalitions exchanging favors for policy support
STANDING COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES
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THREE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY)
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COLLECTING INFORMATION THROUGH HEARINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS
CRAFTING THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE OF BILLS
RECOMMENDING LEGISLATION TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR
CONSIDERATION
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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL PROBLEMS
EXERCISE POLITICAL POWER
ADHERE TO POLITICAL RULES & PROCEDURES
MOCK CONGRESS RULES
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EACH STUDENT IS ASSIGNED TO A STANDING COMMITTEE AND
SUBCOMMITTEE.
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EACH STUDENT MUST CREATE ONE LEGISLATIVE BILL (USE FORMAT
PROVIDED BY INSTRUCTOR). TOPIC WILL CORRESPOND TO ASSIGNED
STANDING COMMITTEE JURISDICTION AND ADDRESS A NATIONAL
CONCERN.
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EACH STUDENT MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF HIS OR HER LEGISLATIVE BILL
TO EACH STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBER AND ONE COPY TO THE
INSTRUCTOR.
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EACH STUDENT WILL PREPARE QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION.
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LEGISLATIVE BILLS CAN BE AMENDED.
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EACH LEGISLATIVE BILL WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC
DEBATE.
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VOTING ON ALL LEGISLATIVE BILLS WILL BE PUBLIC.
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RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE BILLS MUST HAVE MAJORITY SUPPORT.
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FINAL LEGISLATIVE BILLS WILL RECEIVE SPECIAL COMPENSATION.
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MOCK CONGRESS PROCESS
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ASSIGNED TO A STANDING COMMITTEE
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TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
LEGISLATIVE BILLS DUE:
ASSIGNED TO A SUBCOMMITTEE
QUESTIONS DUE:
SUBCOMMITTEE SESSION(S):
SUBCOMMITTEE ANALYSIS DUE:
QUESTIONS DUE:
STANDING COMMITTEE SESSION:
STANDING COMMITTEE SESSION:
STANDING COMMITTEE ANALYSIS DUE:
DISCUSSION AND CRITIQUE:
MOCK CONGRESS STANDING COMMITTEES
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ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
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TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
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LEGISLATIVE BILL FORMAT
(MAXIMUM ONE PAGE)
MOCK CONGRESS LEGISLATIVE BILL
Name
Standing Committee (i.e., Public Safety)
Section I: Proposed Recommendation
One sentence starting with “I propose…”
Amendment (new language):
Provide space of changes (if any) to proposed recommendation
Section II: Concerns and Problems
Three paragraphs describing a problem or problems the proposed recommendation is
attempting to solve.
LEGISLATIVE BILL ANALYSIS
CRITERIA (RECOMMENDED)
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REALISTIC PROPOSAL (SOLUTION)
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ADDRESSING A NATIONAL PROBLEM
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MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM TODAY
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