U.S. Congress:
Structure and Powers
Powers of Congress
• Enumerated powers
– Powers expressly granted to Congress in the
Constitution
• Examples: Levy taxes, regulate interstate
commerce
• Expanded powers
– Necessary and Proper Clause
– Commerce Clause
– Spending Clause
Functions of Congress
• Lawmaking
– How does a bill become a law?
– Logrolling
• Service to constituents
– Casework
– Representation
• Oversight
• Educating the public
House-Senate Differences
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Representation based on population
Constituencies
Length of term
Impeachment vs. Conviction
Limited debate vs. filibuster
Advise and consent
Party loyalty
Leadership Structure
House
• Speaker of House
– Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
• Majority Leader
– Tom DeLay (R-TX)
• Minority Leader
– Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
• Majority Whip
– Roy Blunt (R-MO)
• Minority Whip
– Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Senate
• President
– Dick Cheney (VP)
• President Pro-Tempore
– Ted Stevens (R-AK)
• Majority Leader
– Bill Frist (R-TN)
• Minority Leader
– Tom Daschle (D-SD)
• Majority Whip
– Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
• Minority Whip
– Harry Reid (D-NV)
Committee Structure
Committee structure divides legislative labor
through specialization
• Standing Committees
• Select Committees
• Conference Committees
• Joint Committees
• Committee chairmen used to be determined by
seniority  now these are partisan decisions
Fenno’s Paradox
Public’s Evaluation of Congress
Public’s Evaluation of Congress