AP Government
Ms Cannavina
Unit IVA: Institutions of National Government
Corresponding Chapters in Wilson
Chapter 13: Congress
Chapter 14: The Presidency
(IVA)
(IVB)
Chapter 15:
Chapter 16:
The Bureaucracy
The Judiciary
(IVC)
(IVD)
Unit Description: Students will come familiar with the organization and powers, both formal and informal, of the major
political institutions in the US: the Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts. Students will
understand that these are separate institutions sharing powers and the implications of that arrangement. The functions
these institutions perform, and do not perform, as well as the powers they do and do not possess, are important. It is also
necessary for students to understand that power balances and relationships b/w these institutions may evolve gradually for
change dramatically as a result of crises. Students are also expected to understand ties b/w the various branches of
national govt and political parties, interest groups, the media, and state and local govt.
Essential Questions for the Unit:
1. How is each institution organized?
2. What powers does each institution exercise? Which do they not?
3. What issues connect the four institutions to each other?
4. Has the presidency become too powerful?
5. Is there effective legislative oversight over the bureaucracy?
6. Where does the “real work” of Congress occur?
7. Does the Supreme Court follow the elections returns?
8. Has the Supreme Court become a super-legislature?
Essential Concepts for Congress:
 Congressional Elections: reapportionment, redistricting, gerrymandering, incumbency
 Enumerated Powers of Congress
 Bicamerialism: Structural/Procedural differences b/w the House & Senate: leadership, committees, rules
 Roles of the legislator: committees, specialization, reciprocity/ logrolling; political parties & leadership,
committee chairs
 The Law-making Process: divided govt, public opinion
 Reforming Congress: terms limits, ethics, lobbying, campaign finance, elections
 Success/failure of legislative oversight of bureaucracy.
Lanahan Readings: Congress
1. Lanahan #22: Mayhew: Congress: The Electoral Connection (What Congressmen do to achieve reelection)
2. Lanahan #24: Binder: Stalemate
3. Lanahan#26: Swers: The Difference Women Make
4. Lanahan #29: Ellwood: In Praise of Pork
5. Lanahan #30: McCain: Hey There! Sen.McCain is Using Twitter
6. Article: “Congress is the Broken Branch”: Fenno
Homework Questions for Chapter 13: Congress
1.
2.
3.
4.
Summarize the differences between Congress and a parliament and how these fundamental differences influence
the character of the U.S. Congress.
Why did the Framers go w/ a congress and not a parliament? Why is Congress a decentralized institution how
can that make Congress unpopular with voters? Include bicameral legislature.
Read through the six phases of the House of Representatives so that you are clear about the rules changes and the
balance of power between the Speaker and committee chairmen. Briefly summarize phases five-six. (It is not
important for you to learn the name of individual Speakers except for Newt Gingrich).
How has the history and structure of the Senate meant that it would be different from the House of
Representatives?
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
What were the main issues in the development of the Senate and how were these issues settled? Include:
filibuster, cloture, Rule 22.
Briefly summarize the trends in the sex and race of members of Congress.
Why do incumbents have the greater electoral advantage? Why have congressional seat become less marginal?
What are the possible explanations for why the Democrats dominated Congress from 1933-1994?
Why has Congress become more ideologically partisan since the 1980s?
Do members represent their voters? Summarize the three theories of how members of Congress behave.
Why has Congress become more polarized?
Describe the Party organization of the Senate. Include President Pro Tempore, majority leader, minority leader,
whips, Policy Committee, Steering Committee, and Committee on Committee. Make note of “Party Leadership
Structure” on page 332.
What are the formal and informal powers of the Speaker of the House?
Read the section on “Party Unity.” Define Party Polarization. If voters are usually in the center on political
issues, why is there a deep division b/w the two parties?
What are caucuses and why are they important?
What is the purpose of congressional committees? Define the four different types of committees.
How are committee chairs chosen and how has this changed since the 1970s? What were the changes for the
House & Senate and what was the effect?
What is the role of congressional staff? What is the results of having a larger staff?
What is the purpose of staff agencies? What are the GAO and the CBO?
“How a Bill Becomes a Law.” This section is very important. Read & photocopy chart on pages 342-343. Must
be able to understand it completely. Also, from page 341 to 349 there are 22 terms. Type out definitions.
Include also: “riders” and “Christmas tree bills.”
How productive has Congress been in recent years? Briefly discuss the five issues concerning legislative
productivity.
What are the roles of committees and subcommittees and how does this affect the legislation that gets passed?
Include the role of the House Rules Committee.
House-Senate Differences: A summary (page 349). Type or photocopy into notes.
What type of rules are there to make sure our Congress members are ethical? Define franking privileges and pork
barrel legislation.
Vocabulary
Reapportionment
Legislative Oversight
Casework
Baker v. Carr
H Ways & Means Committee
Continuing Resolution
Redistricting
Senatorial Courtesy
Logrolling
Wesberry v. Sanders
Senate Finance Committee
“Power of the Purse”
Shaw v. Reno
Congressional District
Appropriation
Malapportionment
Markup Session
Unit IVA Congress Day to Day Planner
11/28
Answer questions 1-7. Due 12/1.
12/1
What are the basic functions of Congress? What powers does Congress exercise?
HW: Study for Lanahan Reading Quiz: # 76, 71, 63, 77, 78, 81, 82
12/2
Quiz on Readings. How/why are the two houses different from each other?
HW: Questions 8-11
12/3
How do Congressmen represent their districts?
HW: Questions 12-19
12/4
How is Congress Organized? What non-legislative functions does Congress perform?
HW: Question 20
12/5 & 12/9
How does a Bill Become a Law? What factors influence how a member of Congress votes on a particular
piece of legislation?
HW for 12/9: Finish Chapter 13 Questions
Bringing home the Bacon… The Ethics of Pork Barrel
HW: Read Debate about Pork Barrel and answer questions at end. Be prepared for debate on 12/10.
Type up your side of the article to be submitted on 12/15. Arguments should be 1 ½ to 2 pages typed and include specific
arguments from the readings.
12/10
12/11
Debate
HW: Fenno Article/ CLUES sheet
12/12
Is Congress a “broken branch”?
HW: Debate typed (quiz grade)
12/15
What is “High Crimes & Misdeamors?”
HW: Assigned Lanahan Reading
12/16
Jigsaw Activity: Lanahan Readings (Congress)
12/17
Quiz on Congress terms. Bring Lanahan book.
12/18
Jigsaw Activity: Lanahan Readings (President)
12/19
“West Wing” Christmas Episode… bring tissues.