Evolution Of Congress
January 14, 2016
AP US Govt.
Objective: Better
understand…Intentions, conflict, and
recent developments within Congress
ARE YOU READY FOR CONGRESS
INTRO QUIZ-Pocket Constitution
House of Representatives
Senate
1.How many representatives does
the Constitution guarantee each
State?
1.How were Senators chosen
prior to 1913? How did the 17th
amendment change this?
2.Why such a short term?
2.How else, aside from election,
can one become a Senator? Is
this different than from the
House? (Article I, Sec II, Clause
4)
3.Provide two qualifications to
become a House member.
4.If a House Rep. leaves office
early, how is the seat filled?
5. What is the most powerful
leadership position in the House?
3.List three formal qualifications to
become a Senator.
4. List three BASIC steps in the
legislative process (How a bill
becomes a law)
Why is the re-lection rate soooo high
for incumbents even though they have
such a low approval rating?
I. Intentions of Founders
• CONCERNS/FEARS:
1.Congress=Dominant branch
2.Mob rule:
3.Built-in conflict/inefficiency
4.RepresentationCompromise
1. BICAMERALISM
II. Conflict= Central vs. Decentralized
*Centralization:
– Quick/decisive
*Decentralization:
– slow Congress:
II. Ingredients for Centralization
(House)
1. Restrict debate (House)
2. Strong leadership (House)
3. Minimal public scrutiny
4. Minimal Committee influence
II. Ingredients for Decentralization
(Senate)
1. Weak leadership
2. Increase debate (filibuster)
–
–
Cloture3/5
Nuclear Option
•
(Override Senate rules with majority rule)
3. Stall (Pigeonhole)
4. Strong committee influence
II. Recent Developments
1. House
1.
Chairmen (3 successive terms)
2. RULE OF THUMB:
1. CongressEarly is BetterMandate
2. Toe the line
3. Avoid Controversial Topics