Fed Papers
Federalist 53, 56, 57, 58, 62, and 63
Theories behind the structure of Congress delineated by James Madison
In an attempt to keep Congress in check a system of a bicameral legislation, with clearly enumerated powers
(Art. I sec. 8), has slowed down the legislative process.
Framers’ ideology was that the House was to serve as the representation of popular interests on a short term
basis whereas the Senate was to be a reflection of conservative interests on a long term basis.
 1913—17th Amendment
Federalist 53
To be a competent legislator one needs
1. upright intentions
2. sound judgement / certain degree of knowledge which one needs to legislate
These traits are acquired through information and actual experience
Madison recognizes diversity in America and within state interests—asserts that representatives must be
knowledgeable of the affairs of each state.
Stresses the importance of foreign policy to even the representative, although the House is not to “immediately
participate”
Federalist 56
Madison recognizes concern that House of Reps. is not representative of every constituent concern.
Therefore Madison ranks in importance several objects of federal legislation
 commerce
 taxation
 the militia
Federalist 57
Inherent in the House of Representatives is “an habitual recollection of their dependence on the people.”
 Two year terms
 This engenders a human policy which “can connect the rulers and people together.”
 This creates a “communion of interest, and sympathy of sentiments”
 This also restrains the House from being entirely self-serving—Madison declares this to be the “genius of
the whole system” and through the “nature of just and constitutional law” and the “vigilant and manly spirit
of America” tyranny is checked.
Federalist 58
Madison points out though an issue with the relative number of representatives.
Greater number of representatives is known to contain the ascendancy of passion over reason.
 As in the ancient republics, such a government body may be susceptible to rule by an elite warns Madison.
(statesman with a sceptre)
 Is today’s Congress then, a body composed of far more members than in 1790, more subject to being ruled
by an elite?
 Answer—today leadership is dispersed by the committee system, the seniority rule, the lack of party
organization in the House and Senate, and the ineffectiveness of congressional party leaders.
Federalist 62
Senate
Qualification for Senate—must be older (30) and must be a citizen longer (9 yrs.)
There is a “nature of senatorial trust” requiring a greater extent of information and stability
 Originally appointed by state legislators, Madison believed this to be a process “most congenial with the
public opinion.”
 This allowed the state governments to have a say in the formation of the federal government
Equality in the Senate—contributes to the system of checks and balances and diminishes power of the larger
states over the smaller states.
Fed Papers
Senate acts as a check on the House—“it doubles the security to the people by requiring the concurrence of
two distinct bodies in schemes of usurpation and perfidy.”
Number of senators—less than the House of Representatives, the Senate is distinct and separate from the
sway of public opinion (a more conservative body)
 Because of term limits and time, House may be more susceptible to error
 Such a continued change (as evident in the House) even in good nature is “inconsistent with every rule of
prudence.
Federalist 63
Foreign policy needs the stability of the Senate.
The Senate is a remedy for the “defects” of the House.
Importance of Local Politics
“All politics is local.”—Tip O’Neill
“To understand and influence your fellow man, don’t focus too much on the grand, intangible issues, keep a
tight watch on what matters to him most personally.”—Chris Matthews
People look at public issues through the “prism of their own welfare.”
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose yours.”
Keep an eye on the mundane
For success in politics there needs to be a “penchant for retail”—one customer at a time.
Some interesting anecdotes
1970—Congressman Edward Patten (NJ) was losing ground to anti-war challenger in primary. Patten
published photocopied directory listing from yellow pages which showed challenger lived in Manhattan—he
showed that challenger wasn’t local—game over
Key is to avoid contracting “Potomac fever”
Incumbent challenged on grounds that he had only returned to district 6 times in congressional term, candidate
responded he had returned 10 times. Not the right thing to say.
“It’s not so much that he makes sure to come home enough, it’s that he gives people the sense that he never
left town in the first place.”
Robert Michel (R-Ill) v. Tip O’Neill—issue is a $1 billion jobs bill in 1982
Michel screams pork, however O’Neill goes to Peoria to show what the bill could do to help dilapidated bridges,
roads etc. Game over.