➲ Congressional Terms➲ Filibuster, cloture➲ Rider, poison pill, Christmas tree legislation➲ Quorum; Committee of the Whole➲ Joint Resolution; Concurrent Resolution➲ Pork / pork barrel politics➲ Earmarks➲ Cozy/iron triangle

A: Committee; B: Subcommittee; C: Rules Committee; D: Senate Floor; E: Conference Committee; AB: Committee of the Whole; BC: House Floor; AC: President

Senate

House

A C

B

EAC

AB

(On approval of Senate Majority leader) D

BC

Comparative Legislatures

Liberal Democracies➲ Upper Houses:➲ US: Senate (100, 2/State, 6 yrs); millionaires' club➲ Britain: House of Lords [700 members (600 Life,

75 Hereditary, 25 Bishops)]; Symbolic power; Lords may participate in Cabinet; Scrutinizes, delays legislation (cannot veto: Parliamentary supremacy); was Final Court of Appeal (new Supreme Court)

➲ Nigeria: Senate (109 members, 4 year terms); increased number of States-->guarantee representation smaller ethnic groups; reflects tensions central government + States

➲ Mexico: Senate (128-members, 6 year term); 96 seats FTPT, 32 nationally by PR

European Union➲ Council of the EU➲ represents national governments; representation

scheduled by COREPER ➲ rotating presidency➲ initiates all legislation (directives)➲ qualified majority voting: population and wealth

“Democratic deficit” (not enough rep people of Europe)

➲ unanimous vote to overturn rejection by Parliament

Illiberal Democracies➲ Russia: Federation Council; 178 members, 4 year

terms; indirect appointment: governors of regions and speakers of regional legislatures; approves legislation; Confirms state of emergency

➲ China: Structure: National People's Congress (3000 representatives from regional and local congresses); Function: General-Secretary, Standing Committee of the Politburo, Central Committee of CCP

➲ Iran: Assembly of Experts, 86 members, 8 year terms, national list, all candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council, appoints and reconfirms Rahbar (Supreme Leader), reviews, amends, approves, vetoes legislation from Majlis

Lower Houses

➲ US: House of Representatives, 435, 2 years➲ Britain: House of Commons, 659 members, term at

discretion of Prime Minister (5 year maximum); Vote of No Confidence; elect PM

➲ Nigeria: House of Representatives, 360 members, 4 year terms; Tradition of inefficiency and corruption (patron-client relations; regional interests prevail over national priorities)

➲ Mexico: Chamber of Deputies, 500-members, 3 year term, 300 seats are elected on a first-past-the-post basis and 200 by proportional representation

➲ EU: European Parliament, 732 members, directly elected to 5 year terms

➲ Russia: Duma: 450 members, term at discretion of Prime Minister, President (5 year maximum), Initiates and approves legislation; overrules upper house with simple majority; Vote of Censure

➲ Iran: Majlis, 290 members, reviews, amends, votes on legislation proposed by the President which must then be approved by the Upper House, the Council of Guardians, and the Rahbar; guaranteed seats for ethnic/religious minorities