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CONGRESSCONGRESS
CONGRESSIONAL CONGRESSIONAL DEMOGRAPHICSDEMOGRAPHICS
Personal and Political Personal and Political BackgroundBackground
Not representative of American peopleNot representative of American people Average member of Congress (both houses) is Average member of Congress (both houses) is
white male in mid-50swhite male in mid-50s Most are married with childrenMost are married with children Most are members of Christian churchMost are members of Christian church Most are lawyersMost are lawyers Others have business, education, agriculture, Others have business, education, agriculture,
journalism, professional politics backgroundjournalism, professional politics background
Gender and RaceGender and Race
House of Representatives (2015)House of Representatives (2015):: 84 Women84 Women 44 African-Americans 44 African-Americans 34 Hispanics 34 Hispanics SenateSenate (2015): (2015): 20 Women20 Women 2 African-American2 African-American 3 Hispanics3 Hispanics 1 Asian1 Asian
Does Race/Gender Matter?Does Race/Gender Matter? Descriptive representationDescriptive representation: : similar demographic characteristics between similar demographic characteristics between
representatives and constituencyrepresentatives and constituency Substantive representationSubstantive representation:: Similar opinions between representatives and Similar opinions between representatives and
constituencyconstituency ““Liberal white members represented black interests Liberal white members represented black interests
as strongly as did black representatives.”as strongly as did black representatives.” African-American members are more active than African-American members are more active than
White members in serving African-American White members in serving African-American constituentsconstituents
African-Americans and women are increasingly African-Americans and women are increasingly achieving important positions on committeesachieving important positions on committees
Why is Incumbency an Why is Incumbency an Advantage?Advantage?
Advertising (trips to home district/state, literature, Advertising (trips to home district/state, literature, franking)franking)
Credit-claimingCredit-claiming• Casework: help constituents get what they have a Casework: help constituents get what they have a
right to getright to get• Pork Barrel: list of federal projects, grants and Pork Barrel: list of federal projects, grants and
contractscontracts Position-takingPosition-taking Weak opponentsWeak opponents Easier to raise moneyEasier to raise money People not aware of how politicians votePeople not aware of how politicians vote
House IncumbencyHouse Incumbency 90% of incumbents in HOR win (and most win 90% of incumbents in HOR win (and most win
with 60% of vote)with 60% of vote) First timers in House: 58 % in 1863 and 8% in First timers in House: 58 % in 1863 and 8% in
1969)1969) Term Limits died in Senate; when imposed by Term Limits died in Senate; when imposed by
states deemed unconstitutionalstates deemed unconstitutional New Freshmen (1992 and 1994 elections)New Freshmen (1992 and 1994 elections)
1.1. RedistrictingRedistricting
2.2. Throw the rascals outThrow the rascals out
3.3. South (Democrats to Republicans)South (Democrats to Republicans)
How to Lose a Congressional How to Lose a Congressional SeatSeat
Corruption/scandal Corruption/scandal ReapportionmentReapportionment Major political upheavalMajor political upheaval Do not runDo not run
Senate IncumbencySenate Incumbency
Incumbents win by narrower margin than in the Incumbents win by narrower margin than in the House (better than 50% chance)House (better than 50% chance)
Why?Why? State is more diverse than districtsState is more diverse than districts Less personal contact with constituentsLess personal contact with constituents Extensive media coverage makes them more Extensive media coverage makes them more
accountableaccountable Senate races attract more visible, well known Senate races attract more visible, well known
candidates who have financial backerscandidates who have financial backers
Parliament vs. CongressParliament vs. Congress
Party supportParty support Party loyaltyParty loyalty Choose prime Choose prime
ministerminister Little Little
independent independent powerpower
PrimaryPrimary IndividualIndividual Separate Separate
Presidential Presidential electionelection
PowerfulPowerful Staggered Staggered
ElectionsElections
Representation ProblemsRepresentation Problems MalapportionmentMalapportionment: Different size districts : Different size districts
in terms of populationin terms of population GerrymanderingGerrymandering: Unusual shaped : Unusual shaped
districts designed to assure the victory of districts designed to assure the victory of a candidatea candidate
Majority-Minority DistrictsMajority-Minority Districts Shaw v. Reno (1993)Shaw v. Reno (1993) Allocating seats among statesAllocating seats among states Size of House (435): 1911 last changeSize of House (435): 1911 last change
Qualifications for RepresentativesQualifications for Representatives Lower houseLower house 25 when seated25 when seated Citizen for 7 yearsCitizen for 7 years Inhabitant of stateInhabitant of state Does not have to be a resident of district Does not have to be a resident of district
representedrepresented Fixed at 435 in 1929Fixed at 435 in 1929 reapportioned every 10 yearsreapportioned every 10 years
Qualifications for SenatorsQualifications for Senators
Upper houseUpper house30 years when seated30 years when seatedStaggered 6 year termsStaggered 6 year termsCitizen for 9 yearsCitizen for 9 years Inhabitant of state representedInhabitant of state represented
EVOLUTION OF CONGRESSEVOLUTION OF CONGRESS
1. Powerful House1. Powerful House
Washington, Adams, JeffersonWashington, Adams, Jefferson Stronger than SenateStronger than Senate Speaker appointed chair and membersSpeaker appointed chair and members Caucus appointed Presidential Caucus appointed Presidential
candidate for each partycandidate for each party
2. Divided House2. Divided House
Starting in 1820sStarting in 1820s Andrew Jackson vetoed legislationAndrew Jackson vetoed legislation National conventions replaced caucus National conventions replaced caucus
systemsystem Slavery issueSlavery issue Speaker lost powerSpeaker lost power
3. Powerful Speaker3. Powerful Speaker
Thomas B. Reed (Maine): 1889Thomas B. Reed (Maine): 1889 Joseph G. Cannon (Illinois)Joseph G. Cannon (Illinois)
4. Revolt against the Speaker4. Revolt against the Speaker
1910-1911 Cannon lost most of his 1910-1911 Cannon lost most of his powerpower
Caucus power increased somewhatCaucus power increased somewhat Powerful Rules CommitteePowerful Rules Committee Standing Chairs’ power increased (to Standing Chairs’ power increased (to
1970s)1970s) SenioritySeniority
5. Individual Members5. Individual Members
1960s and 1970s1960s and 1970s Civil Rights issueCivil Rights issue Chairs elected by majority party not Chairs elected by majority party not
seniority (1970s)seniority (1970s) Chairs lost powerChairs lost power House members could introduce House members could introduce
legislationlegislation Public meetingsPublic meetings
6. Return of Leadership6. Return of Leadership
Individualism led to gridlockIndividualism led to gridlock In 1970s and 1980s Speaker: In 1970s and 1980s Speaker:
Chose majority of Rules Committee and other Chose majority of Rules Committee and other committeescommitteesAssigned bills to several committeesAssigned bills to several committees
After 1994:After 1994:Committees and subcommittees reducedCommittees and subcommittees reducedSpeaker power increasedSpeaker power increasedSeniority ignoredSeniority ignored
EVOLUTION OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE SENATESENATE
Slavery issue was balancedSlavery issue was balanced Senators chosen by state legislatorsSenators chosen by state legislators Seventeenth AmendmentSeventeenth Amendment (1913): (1913):
popular electionpopular election
Debate time not limitedDebate time not limited FilibusterFilibuster: Non-stop talking unless 60 : Non-stop talking unless 60
senators vote for cloture (Rule 22)senators vote for cloture (Rule 22)
THEORIES ON THEORIES ON CONGRESSIONAL BEHAVIORCONGRESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
What do Congressmen do?What do Congressmen do?
They are…They are…
PartyParty
Democrats controlled both houses 25/33 Democrats controlled both houses 25/33 congresses (1933 – 1998)congresses (1933 – 1998)
Popular vote for Republicans higher than Popular vote for Republicans higher than seats won (1968 – 1998)seats won (1968 – 1998)
Democrats lost dominance in 1994 because:Democrats lost dominance in 1994 because: ““mess in Washington”mess in Washington” Conservative coalitionConservative coalition Most members represent constituencies in Most members represent constituencies in
which their party is in the majoritywhich their party is in the majority
Delegates: Delegates: Representational ViewRepresentational View
Voting what the constituents wantVoting what the constituents want::
Civil rightsCivil rights
Social WelfareSocial Welfare
Gun control, abortion (if message Gun control, abortion (if message from voters is clear)from voters is clear)
NOT foreign policyNOT foreign policy
Partisan: Organizational ViewPartisan: Organizational View
Party lineParty linePeersPeersRepublican Study CommitteeRepublican Study CommitteeDemocratic Study GroupDemocratic Study Group
Trustees: Attitudinal ViewTrustees: Attitudinal View
Holders of the public trustHolders of the public trust Ideology of elected officialIdeology of elected officialHouse more in tune with publicHouse more in tune with publicSenators more extremeSenators more extreme
Watchdogs: Oversight Watchdogs: Oversight FunctionFunction
Check to see if agencies in executive Check to see if agencies in executive branch are working efficiently and branch are working efficiently and according to the lawaccording to the law
They do not run these departmentsThey do not run these departments Authorize agency’s programsAuthorize agency’s programs Appropriate budgetsAppropriate budgets Investigate agency operationsInvestigate agency operations Confirmation of cabinet membersConfirmation of cabinet members
Other rolesOther roles
Help companies get Help companies get government contractsgovernment contracts
Make appointments to military Make appointments to military academiesacademies
CompensationCompensation
$174,000 per year (more for leaders)$174,000 per year (more for leaders) Free parking, low-cost medical care, pensions, Free parking, low-cost medical care, pensions,
free printing/distribution of speeches, free printing/distribution of speeches, newslettersnewsletters
Congress sets its own pay and benefitsCongress sets its own pay and benefits Tempered by Presidential veto and voter Tempered by Presidential veto and voter
backlashbacklash Others…Others…
PrivilegesPrivileges
May not be arrested for misdemeanors May not be arrested for misdemeanors while Congress is in sessionwhile Congress is in session
Cannot be sued for statements made on Cannot be sued for statements made on floor of Congressfloor of Congress
Public PerceptionPublic Perception
““Americans hold Congress in low Americans hold Congress in low esteem, while holding our own esteem, while holding our own members in high esteem”members in high esteem”
Speaker of the House
Majority Leader
Majority Whip
House of Representatives Leadership
Go toSenate
Speaker of the House Speaker of the House Second in line of successionSecond in line of succession Presides over house when in sessionPresides over house when in session Major role in making committee Major role in making committee
assignmentsassignments Extensive control over which bills are Extensive control over which bills are
assigned to which committeesassigned to which committees Appoints or plays key role in appointing Appoints or plays key role in appointing
legislative leaderslegislative leaders
John Boehner (OH)
Back
House Majority/Minority House Majority/Minority LeaderLeader
Rounds up votesRounds up votes Influences committee assignmentsInfluences committee assignments Schedules billsSchedules bills
Minority Leader
Back
Majority LeaderKevin McCarthy (CA)
Nancy Pelosi (CA)
WhipsWhips
Minority WhipEric Cantor (VA)
Work with majority Work with majority (minority) leader to (minority) leader to round up votesround up votes
Report views and Report views and complaints of party complaints of party members back to members back to leadersleaders
Democratic WhipJames E. Clyburn(SC)
Back
House Majority Whip- Steve Scalise (LA)House Majority Whip- Steve Scalise (LA) House Minority Whip- Steny Hoyer (MD)House Minority Whip- Steny Hoyer (MD)
President of the Senate
President Pro Tempore
Majority Leader
Majority Whip
End
Senate Leadership
President of the SenatePresident of the Senate
Joe Biden (DE)
Vice PresidentVice President
Votes if there is a tieVotes if there is a tie
Back
Orrin Hatch (UT)
Presides in the absence of the Vice President
Honorary, without any real power
Given to most senior memberof majority party
President Pro TemporePresident Pro Tempore
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)Minority Leader
Harry Reid (NV)
• “Corralling” Votes• Schedule Floor action• Influence committee Assignments
Senate LeadersSenate Leaders
Back
Majority WhipJohn Cornyn (TX)
Minority WhipDick Durbin (IL)
Senate WhipsSenate Whips
Similar role to counterparts in the House
Back
Committees and SubcommitteesCommittees and Subcommittees Standing CommitteesStanding Committees: : PermanentPermanent Each deals with separate policy areas or subject matterEach deals with separate policy areas or subject matter JointJoint: : Members from both HousesMembers from both Houses Often related to economy and taxationOften related to economy and taxation Conference CommitteesConference Committees: resolve disputes in legislation : resolve disputes in legislation
between houses and reports back a compromise billbetween houses and reports back a compromise bill SelectSelect: : TemporaryTemporary Specific purpose (e.g., Watergate)Specific purpose (e.g., Watergate)
Purpose of CommitteesPurpose of Committees Life or death (for a bill)Life or death (for a bill) Hold hearingsHold hearings Conduct other researchConduct other research Write and rewrite (marked up bill)Write and rewrite (marked up bill) Floor managers: help gather votesFloor managers: help gather votes Cue givers: “experts” on the billCue givers: “experts” on the bill Legislative oversight/watchdog: monitor Legislative oversight/watchdog: monitor
bureaucracy’s administration of policy via hearingsbureaucracy’s administration of policy via hearings Approve budgetsApprove budgets Investigate wrongdoingInvestigate wrongdoing
Chairs and Seniority SystemChairs and Seniority System Most important influencers of committee
agenda: Schedule hearings Hire staff Appoint subcommittees Manage committee bills brought before the full
House “Bottle up” legislation in committee Until the 1970s, chairs always selected
through seniority system.
Chairs and Seniority SystemChairs and Seniority System
In the 1970s, Congress faced a revolt of its younger members:
Both parties in both houses permitted members to vote on committee chairs.
Seniority still remains general rule, but many exceptions
These and other reforms have somewhat reduced the clout of chairs
House Reforms (1995)House Reforms (1995)
No proxy votingNo proxy voting Tenure for chair and subcommittee Tenure for chair and subcommittee
chairs 6 consecutive yearschairs 6 consecutive years Speaker tenure: 8 yearsSpeaker tenure: 8 years More floor debateMore floor debate Reduce number of committees and Reduce number of committees and
subcommitteessubcommittees Chairs hire subcommittee staffsChairs hire subcommittee staffs
Senate Reforms (1995)Senate Reforms (1995)
Chair elected by secret ballotChair elected by secret ballot Tenure for chair and subcommittee Tenure for chair and subcommittee
chairs 6 consecutive years (No limit on chairs 6 consecutive years (No limit on terms for majority leaders)terms for majority leaders)
Congressional CaucusesCongressional Caucuses Informal groups of members of Congress Informal groups of members of Congress
sharing some interest or characteristicsharing some interest or characteristic IntrapartyIntraparty IdeologicalIdeological Economics/Industry ConcernsEconomics/Industry Concerns Personal InterestPersonal Interest National ConcernsNational Concerns Regional ConcernsRegional Concerns State ConcernsState Concerns
Intraparty
StateConcerns
IdeologicalRegionalConcerns
NationalConcerns
PersonalInterest
PersonalCharacteristics
IntrapartyIntraparty
1.1. Democratic Study groupsDemocratic Study groups
2.2. Tuesday Lunch BunchTuesday Lunch Bunch
National ConcernsNational Concerns
9/11 Commission9/11 Commission
Personal CharacteristicsPersonal Characteristics
Black CaucusBlack Caucus Congresswomen’s CaucusCongresswomen’s Caucus Hispanic CaucusHispanic Caucus
IdeologicalIdeological
Moderate/conservativeModerate/conservative Blue Dog DemocratsBlue Dog Democrats
Regional ConcernsRegional Concerns
SunbeltSunbelt Northeast-Midwest Congressional CoalitionNortheast-Midwest Congressional Coalition
Personal InterestPersonal Interest
Children’sChildren’s Climate ChangeClimate Change
State ConcernsState Concerns
AutomotiveAutomotive Shifts depending on issues within states at Shifts depending on issues within states at
any given timeany given time
CommitteeStaff
•Organize Hearings•Research Legislative
Options•Draft committee reports
•Write legislation•Watchdog
StaffAgencies
•CongressionalResearch Service
•GeneralAccounting
Office•Congressional Budget
Office
PersonalStaff
•Help Constituents•Work in DC
Congressional Staff
Congressional Research ServiceCongressional Research Service
Administered by Library of CongressAdministered by Library of Congress ResearchResearch Track progress of billsTrack progress of bills Prepare summaries of billsPrepare summaries of bills
General Accounting OfficeGeneral Accounting Office
Reviews activities of executive branchReviews activities of executive branch Investigates efficiency and effectiveness of Investigates efficiency and effectiveness of
policypolicy Financial AuditsFinancial Audits
HOW A BILL BECOMES A HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAWLAW
Introducing a BillIntroducing a Bill Most bills do not originate with individual members of
Congress, but all bills must be proposed by a Congress member.
Most are suggested by the executive branch, after coordination with OMB.
“The president's task is to persuade Congress that his agenda should also be Congress' agenda.”
They may try to influence members directly, but more often will leave White House lobbying to the congressional liaison office and work primarily through regular meetings with the party's leaders in the House and Senate.
Special interest groups often suggest ideas for bills as do private citizens.
House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives
1.1. First Reading: First Reading: Introducing a BillIntroducing a Bill
Hand it to a clerk or Drop in the hopper Assigned number, short title, long title Speaker refers bill to appropriate
standing committee (Revenue bills have to originate in
House)
Types of BillsTypes of Bills Public bill: apply to the nation as a whole Private bill: apply to particular individual or place Simple resolution: rules for operation; do not
require president’s signature Concurrent operation/resolution: procedural
matters affecting both houses; do not require President’s signature
Joint Resolution: deal with temporary or unusual matters, must be approved by both houses, and signed by President (propose an amendment- not signed by President)
A rider is a provision not likely to pass on its own merit that is attached to an important measure
2. Committees and Subcommittees2. Committees and Subcommittees Speaker decides which committee Important part of legislative process goes on at this
stage Witnesses inform, and interest groups given forum “Mark up” (revise, rewrite) bills Members help get votes for bill once it leaves
committee*Multiple referral: several committees at the same time
(abolished in 1995) Sequential referral- Referred to House or killed Discharge petition: 218 members
2. 2. Legislative OversightLegislative Oversight Process of holding executive branch agencies
accountable for its actions. Check on the executive branch Handled primarily through hearings. Members of
committees constantly monitor how a bill is implemented.
Process enables Congress to exert pressure on executive agencies, or even to cut their budgets in order to secure compliance with congressional wishes.
Sometimes captures public attention: Watergate scandal, the 1987 Iran-Contra affair, Whitewater
2. 2. Legislative OversightLegislative Oversight
Oversee more routine activities of the executive branch through its committee staff members, who have specialized expertise in the fields and agencies that their committees oversee (and who maintain an extensive network of formal and informal contacts with the bureaucracy).
Getting on a CommitteeGetting on a Committee After election, new members write to the party's
congressional leaders and members of their state delegation, indicating their committee preferences.
Leaders almost always play a key role in making these decisions
Committee work is essential to maximize his or her power in the House.
Constituent work may assure reelection or performing other functions with that same goal, but will not ensure power in the House
Every committee includes members from both parties Majority party makes up majority on each committee's
and chair
Types of CommitteesTypes of Committees
a. House Standing Committeesa. House Standing Committees Permanent with specific legislative Permanent with specific legislative
responsibilitiesresponsibilities Report a bill to full HouseReport a bill to full House ExclusiveExclusive: No other (except Budget): No other (except Budget) MajorMajor: no more than one: no more than one NonmajorNonmajor: one major and one nonmajor or two : one major and one nonmajor or two
nonmajornonmajor Typical rep serves on two committees and four Typical rep serves on two committees and four
subcommitteessubcommittees
Senate Standing CommitteesSenate Standing Committees
Permanent with specific legislative Permanent with specific legislative responsibilitiesresponsibilities
Report a bill to full SenateReport a bill to full Senate Major: no more than twoMajor: no more than two Minor: no more than oneMinor: no more than one SelectSelect
b. Joint Committeesb. Joint Committees
Study committeesStudy committees Members from both housesMembers from both houses
c. Select Committeesc. Select Committees
Limited purposeLimited purpose Lasting only few congressesLasting only few congresses Watergate Watergate
d. Conference Committeesd. Conference Committees
Both housesBoth houses Reconcile disagreements between both Reconcile disagreements between both
houseshouses
Committee and Committee and SubcommitteesSubcommittees
Subcommittee reports to full committee:Subcommittee reports to full committee: Report bill favorably to full house with a “do Report bill favorably to full house with a “do
pass” recommendationpass” recommendation Refuse to report bill (pigeonhole)Refuse to report bill (pigeonhole) Discharge petition forces bill out of Discharge petition forces bill out of
pigeonholepigeonhole Report bill unfavorablyReport bill unfavorably Report bill in amended formReport bill in amended form Report entirely new billReport entirely new bill
2a. Calendar2a. Calendar
Before reaching floor, bill must be Before reaching floor, bill must be placed on a calendarplaced on a calendar
Five calendars Five calendars UnionUnion: revenue raising or spending: revenue raising or spending HouseHouse: Important non-money bills: Important non-money bills PrivatePrivate: Individual concerns: Individual concerns ConsentConsent: non-controversial bills: non-controversial bills DischargeDischarge: discharge petitions: discharge petitions
2a. Senate Calendars2a. Senate Calendars
ExecutiveExecutive: presidential nominations, : presidential nominations, treatiestreaties
Calendar of BusinessCalendar of Business: all legislation: all legislation
2b. Rules2b. Rules Approval for debate Conditions under which bill is debated Rules Committee decides (unless bill is
privileged or rules are suspended): Closed rule:
1. Time limit
2. No amendments introduced Open rule: Amendments from the floor Restrictive Rule: Some amendments
allowed
3. Kill bill
2b. Rules2b. Rules Privileged: First, various House rules make certain kinds of
measures privileged, including most appropriations bills, budget measures, conference reports, and measures reported from the Rules Committee either to amend the standing rules or to affect the order of business. Such a privileged measure can be called up for floor consideration whenever there is no other measure pending. The standing rules grant these measures privileged access to the floor because of their special importance for the House's ability to meet its constitutional responsibilities.
2b. Rules2b. Rules Privileged: Second, the standing rules also make certain
procedures in order on designated days of each week or month; measures brought up under these procedures thereby become privileged for floor consideration on those days. The most common of these special procedures is suspension of the rules. On every Monday and Tuesday, motions are in order to suspend the rules and pass individual bills (or take other legislative actions).
2b. Rules2b. Rules Privileged: Other days each month are set aside for floor
action on motions to discharge committees from further consideration of bills, on bills listed on the Corrections and Private calendars, and on certain bills concerning the District of Columbia. Another little-used procedure called Calendar Wednesday sets aside each Wednesday for committees to call up bills they have reported and that are not otherwise privileged for floor consideration.
2b. Rules2b. Rules Privileged: These procedures are useful but they do not
enable the House to take up most of the important legislation on which its Members wish to act, including tax bills, all the major authorization bills, and other bills that cannot pass by two-thirds votes under suspension motions.
2b. Rules2b. Rules Privileged: So each of these measures becomes
privileged in a third way--by the House voting for a resolution, recommended by the Rules Committee, to make that bill in order for floor consideration. In other words, the Rules Committee reports a privileged resolution on the order of business which proposes that another particular measure should be considered on the floor. If the House adopts that resolution by simple majority vote, the measure to which it relates then becomes privileged
Bypassing Rules CommitteeBypassing Rules Committee
1.1. Member moves that rules be Member moves that rules be suspended (2/3 vote)suspended (2/3 vote)
2.2. Discharge petitionDischarge petition
3.3. Calendar WednesdayCalendar Wednesday Committees called alphabeticallyCommittees called alphabetically Bill has to be completed that dayBill has to be completed that day None of these is used very oftenNone of these is used very often
3. Floor Debate3. Floor Debate
A. Committee of the Whole: 100 for a quorum (Quorum call: delay by calling roll to see if quorum is present)
Debates or Amends germane bills Five minute limit
4. Voting4. Voting
B.B. Methods of Voting
1. Voice: Yea or nay (most common)
2. Division (Standing): Stand and be counted
3. Teller: names recorded at request of 20% present
4. Roll-Call: names recorded at request of 20% present
Approved bill, read third time, voted on again, and signed by speaker
5. (Joint) Conference 5. (Joint) Conference CommitteeCommittee
Vote to have conference 3-15 members per house Achieve a compromise bill acceptable
to both houses No new amendments can be added Revised bill accepted or rejected Senate version usually favored
SENATESENATE
1. Introducing a bill1. Introducing a bill
Senator recognized by presiding officerSenator recognized by presiding officer
2. Committee2. Committee
Presiding officer assigns billPresiding officer assigns bill Discharge Petition rarely usedDischarge Petition rarely used
3. Floor Debate3. Floor Debate
Germane or notGermane or not Filibuster: unlimited debateFilibuster: unlimited debate Double TrackingDouble Tracking: :
Temporarily shelve bill in questionTemporarily shelve bill in question Cloture RuleCloture Rule::
16 senators sign petition16 senators sign petition60 needed to approve60 needed to approveOne hour/senator (100 hour max)One hour/senator (100 hour max)
4. Voting4. Voting
VoiceVoice Roll callRoll call DivisionDivision
ReformReform
Term LimitsTerm Limits Pork-Barrel: bills that give tangible Pork-Barrel: bills that give tangible
benefits to constituents in the hopes of benefits to constituents in the hopes of winning their voteswinning their votes
FrankingFranking EthicsEthics
Senate Ethics (1978, 1989, 1995) Gifts no more than $100 except from spouse or Gifts no more than $100 except from spouse or
personal friendpersonal friend Lobbyists may not pay for gifts, official travel, legal Lobbyists may not pay for gifts, official travel, legal
defense funds, or charitable contributions to groups defense funds, or charitable contributions to groups controlled by senatorscontrolled by senators
No Fees for outside lecturing or writingNo Fees for outside lecturing or writing Outside earned income no more than 15% of Outside earned income no more than 15% of
senator’s salarysenator’s salary Ex-senators may not try to influence members of Ex-senators may not try to influence members of
Congress for one year after leaving the SenateCongress for one year after leaving the Senate Mass Mailings: $50,000 maximumMass Mailings: $50,000 maximum
House Ethics (1978, 1989, 1995)House Ethics (1978, 1989, 1995) No Gifts in money, meals or things totaling No Gifts in money, meals or things totaling
more than $100 except from spouse or more than $100 except from spouse or personal friend personal friend
Lobbyists may not pay for gifts, official travel, Lobbyists may not pay for gifts, official travel, legal defense funds, or charitable contributions legal defense funds, or charitable contributions to groups controlled by senatorsto groups controlled by senators
Travel: may travel at the expense of others if Travel: may travel at the expense of others if officially connected to businessofficially connected to business
No Fees for outside lecturing or writingNo Fees for outside lecturing or writing Ex-House members may not try to influence Ex-House members may not try to influence
members of Congress for one year after leaving members of Congress for one year after leaving the Senatethe Senate
House StructureHouse Structure
DemocratsDemocrats Majority/Minority LeaderMajority/Minority Leader Majority/Minority WhipMajority/Minority Whip Chairman of the Chairman of the
CaucusCaucus Steering and Policy Steering and Policy
CommitteeCommittee Democratic Democratic
Congressional Congressional Campaign CommitteeCampaign Committee
RepublicansRepublicans Majority/Minority LeaderMajority/Minority Leader Majority/Minority WhipMajority/Minority Whip Chairman of the Chairman of the
ConferenceConference Committee on Committee on
CommitteesCommittees Policy CommitteePolicy Committee National Republican National Republican
Congressional Congressional CommitteeCommittee
Research CommitteeResearch Committee
Senate StructureSenate Structure
DemocratsDemocrats Majority/Minority LeaderMajority/Minority Leader Majority/Minority WhipMajority/Minority Whip Chairman of the Chairman of the
ConferenceConference Policy CommitteePolicy Committee Steering CommitteeSteering Committee Democratic Senatorial Democratic Senatorial
Campaign CommitteeCampaign Committee
RepublicansRepublicans President Pro TemporePresident Pro Tempore Majority/Minority LeaderMajority/Minority Leader Assistant Assistant
Majority/Minority LeaderMajority/Minority Leader Chairman of the Chairman of the
ConferenceConference Policy CommitteePolicy Committee Committee on Committee on
CommitteesCommittees Republican Senatorial Republican Senatorial
Campaign CommitteeCampaign Committee