Congress - Congress - The The

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch

Unit 8Unit 8

I. I. BicameralismBicameralism Two Houses DividedTwo Houses Divided

SENATE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A.A. Key Comparisons

435 members 2-year terms without

limits; members elected together

smaller constituency in equal populations

less prestige mostly policy

specialists more reflective of

popular will more rigid bill and

debate process less media coverage

100 members 6-year terms without

limits; 1/3 elected every 2 years

larger constituency in unequal populations

more prestige mostly policy

generalists less reflective of

popular will less rigid bill and

debate process greater media

coverage

B. Bicameralism At B. Bicameralism At WorkWork

1. Both houses have 1. Both houses have uniqueunique and and complimentarycomplimentary powers. powers.

2. Members of each house act for 2. Members of each house act for partisan (politically motivated) partisan (politically motivated) reasons designed to increase the reasons designed to increase the power of their house or themselves. power of their house or themselves.

3. Numerous committees conduct 3. Numerous committees conduct the majority of work in Congress the majority of work in Congress and have become power centers of and have become power centers of political and personal interests.political and personal interests.

B. Congressional B. Congressional DemographicsDemographics

112th Congress data (2011)112th Congress data (2011)Member Member

CharacteristCharacteristicsics

SenateSenate HouseHouse

Average ageAverage age 6363 5656

YoungestYoungest 40 years40 years 30 years30 years

OldestOldest 86 years86 years 83 years83 years

WomenWomen

OccupationOccupation

1515

52 lawyers 52 lawyers 28 28

businessmenbusinessmen

7373

148 lawyers 148 lawyers 182 182

businessmenbusinessmen

African African AmericanAmerican

00 4444

HispanicHispanic 33 2727

AsianAsian 22 77

Native Native AmericanAmerican

00 11

CatholicCatholic 2424 132132

ProtestantProtestant 6161 258258

Jewish/Muslim/ Jewish/Muslim/ Buddhist/UnaffiliBuddhist/Unaffili

atedated

12/0/0/312/0/0/3 27/2/3/1327/2/3/13

II. Criticism of II. Criticism of Congressional PowerCongressional Power

Too meddlesome in states’ affairs and Too meddlesome in states’ affairs and individual rightsindividual rights

Often tries to violate delegated powers of Often tries to violate delegated powers of president in policy-making areas:president in policy-making areas:

Seen as being responsive more to special Seen as being responsive more to special interests & money than constituents.interests & money than constituents.

Bogged down by its partisanship & ego; Bogged down by its partisanship & ego; often act in anti-majoritarian ways.often act in anti-majoritarian ways.

III. III. Congressional Districts & Congressional Districts & ElectionsElectionsA. Congressional leaders of both parties do not A. Congressional leaders of both parties do not

often face a tough reelection challenge. often face a tough reelection challenge. Incumbents are usually the winners in both Incumbents are usually the winners in both Senate and House elections. Senate and House elections.

1. Incumbent reelection rates normally over 1. Incumbent reelection rates normally over 90% 90%

1998- 95% in House1998- 95% in House 96% in Senate 96% in Senate

2002- 96% in House 94% in Senate 2002- 96% in House 94% in Senate

2008- 93% in House2008- 93% in House 85% in Senate 85% in Senate 2010- 89% in House2010- 89% in House 88% in Senate 88% in Senate

B. B. Representation in the Representation in the HouseHouse

The 10-yearThe 10-year census census data (a population data (a population count taken in years that end in 0) will count taken in years that end in 0) will determine House seats for each state. determine House seats for each state.

Reapportionment Act of 1929 - ReapportionmentReapportionment starts starts the year after

the census is taken. Next reapportionment is _?_.

- Fixed the number of House seats at 435. - Fixed the number of House seats at 435. - Mandated each district to be as - Mandated each district to be as equal as equal as

possiblepossible to the others. to the others. RedistrictingRedistricting in in 2011 will create 435 districts of about 2011 will create 435 districts of about 709,000 constituents.709,000 constituents.

C. RedistrictingC. Redistricting

State legislatures determine Congressional State legislatures determine Congressional district boundaries. district boundaries.

- Boundaries must be - Boundaries must be contiguous and contiguous and compactcompact

- - The party in control of a state legislature The party in control of a state legislature has an advantage when redistricting as it has an advantage when redistricting as it may attempt to may attempt to gerrymandergerrymander to preserve or to preserve or expand its power.expand its power.

Redistricting is subject to federal approval.Redistricting is subject to federal approval.

D. Racial & Ethnic D. Racial & Ethnic ConcernsConcerns

No guarantee of racial or ethnic minority No guarantee of racial or ethnic minority representation is allowed. Non-contiguous representation is allowed. Non-contiguous boundary lines or bizarre district shapes boundary lines or bizarre district shapes cannot be made to purposely guarantee a cannot be made to purposely guarantee a specific race or group’s win.specific race or group’s win. -- Majority-minority Majority-minority voting districtsvoting districts (where one race constitutes a majority of (where one race constitutes a majority of the population) are constitutional so long the population) are constitutional so long as they do not deliberately create racial as they do not deliberately create racial gerrymandering.gerrymandering. - - Shaw v. Reno (1993) - Miller v. Johnson (1995)

E. Population ShiftsE. Population Shifts Population shifts have decreased representation Population shifts have decreased representation

in the Northeast and Great Lakes states in the Northeast and Great Lakes states (collectively known as the “Rust Belt”).(collectively known as the “Rust Belt”).

- - From 1960 to 2010: From 1960 to 2010: NY -14, PA -10, OH -7, IL -6, MI -5

States with the biggest gains during the same States with the biggest gains during the same time were those in the South and Southwest time were those in the South and Southwest (collectively called the “Sunbelt”).(collectively called the “Sunbelt”).

- From 1960 to 2010: - From 1960 to 2010: CA +14, FL +15, TX + 13, AZ +6, GA +5

- In 2010: - In 2010: TX +4, AZ +2, FL +2, GA +1

NY -2, PA -2, MI -1, OH -1, NJ -1, MA – 1, CA-0

IV. IV. Congressional Congressional PowersPowers

A. Expressed powers both houses must A. Expressed powers both houses must share are found in Article I of the share are found in Article I of the Constitution. Constitution.

Examples of complimentary powersExamples of complimentary powers:: coin/print money levy taxes regulate interstate commerce create courts declare war impeachment override presidential vetoes

House of Reps’ Unique House of Reps’ Unique Expressed PowersExpressed Powers

1. All revenue bills (taxation, budget, and appropriations) must start in the House.

2. Hold impeachment hearings.

3. Select the President if no decision made in the Electoral College.

Senate’s Unique Expressed Senate’s Unique Expressed PowersPowers

1. Confirm presidential nominations:

- Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and federal judges, ambassadors, U.S. marshals, and other key positions

2. Ratify treaties 3. Hold impeachment trials 4. Select V.P. if no candidate

wins in the Electoral College

V. V. Congressional Congressional FunctionsFunctions

A. Lawmaking (its main function, duh…)A. Lawmaking (its main function, duh…) B. Represent its constituents B. Represent its constituents (casework) C. Watchdog over the federal bureaucracy C. Watchdog over the federal bureaucracy

D. Policy creation and clarificationD. Policy creation and clarification E. Check the other two branches E. Check the other two branches

(e.g. veto, appointment confirmation, oversight)(e.g. veto, appointment confirmation, oversight)

A. The political agenda becomes the legislative agenda.

1. Public bills (about 10,000 total for each term) - Decide what is in the national or state

advantage - Policy is ideologically driven; compromise

when politically reasonable 2. A perceived public problem (valence issue)

could become part of the political agenda on which politicians would campaign or create “knee-jerk” legislation.

Examples: Economic collapse, Social Security reform, energy costs, terrorism, health care reform, environmental disasters, out-of-control borders

VI. The Legislative VI. The Legislative ProcessProcess

HOUSEHOUSE SENATESENATEBill introduced and Bill introduced and

referred to referred to appropriate appropriate committee.committee.

Bill introduced and Bill introduced and referred to referred to appropriate appropriate committee.committee.

Subcommittee(s) Subcommittee(s) holds hearings, holds hearings,

investigates, marks-investigates, marks-up, approves, sends up, approves, sends

back to…back to…

Subcommittee(s) Subcommittee(s) holds hearings, holds hearings,

investigates, marks-investigates, marks-up, approves, sends up, approves, sends

back to…back to…

Original committee Original committee for approval, then for approval, then

sent to…sent to…

Original committee Original committee for approval, then for approval, then

sent to…sent to…

Rules CommitteeRules Committee for scheduling debate for scheduling debate

and vote.and vote.

NO EQUIVALENT NO EQUIVALENT IN THE SENATEIN THE SENATE

Debate and vote Debate and vote before the full house; before the full house; if final bill different if final bill different

from Senate, bill from Senate, bill goes to…goes to…

Debate and vote Debate and vote before the full before the full

Senate; if final bill Senate; if final bill different from House, different from House,

bill goes to…bill goes to…

Conference CommitteeConference Committee where a where a compromise bill is worked out to reconcile compromise bill is worked out to reconcile

differences. If successful…differences. If successful…

House votes and if House votes and if passed, it goes to passed, it goes to

the…the…

The full Senate votes The full Senate votes and if passed, it goes and if passed, it goes

to the…to the…

President who signs or vetoes; if vetoed, President who signs or vetoes; if vetoed, back to the house of origination with back to the house of origination with

President’s veto message. Both houses can President’s veto message. Both houses can override veto with 2/3 vote in both in both

houses.houses.

B.B. The Committee The Committee SystemSystem

CommitteesCommittees are where most daily work are where most daily work in Congress takes place. Committees in Congress takes place. Committees form a division of labor in which bills form a division of labor in which bills are first sent to committees with the are first sent to committees with the appropriate jurisdiction. appropriate jurisdiction.

- Examples:- Examples: defense bills to the Armed Services defense bills to the Armed Services Com’teeCom’tee farming bills to the Agricultural farming bills to the Agricultural CommitteeCommittee tax bills to the Ways and Means tax bills to the Ways and Means CommitteeCommittee

COMMITTEES (cont’d)COMMITTEES (cont’d)1. Committees perform many roles:1. Committees perform many roles:

- performs initial screening of bills- performs initial screening of bills

- holds hearings and investigations, - holds hearings and investigations, gathers testimony and evidencegathers testimony and evidence

- oversees government actions- oversees government actions

- conducts confirmations of appointees- conducts confirmations of appointees

- creates budgets- creates budgets

- make rules for its particular house - make rules for its particular house

Committees (cont’d)Committees (cont’d)

2. Certain committees are seen as “plum” 2. Certain committees are seen as “plum” assignments because they allow assignments because they allow members of congress to perform members of congress to perform constituent service, or get high media or get high media visibility. visibility.

- All chairmanships, as well as the - All chairmanships, as well as the majority of committee seats, are held by majority of committee seats, are held by the the majority party. This is a rule . This is a rule created by the houses, not a created by the houses, not a constitutional requirement. constitutional requirement.

Committees (cont’d)Committees (cont’d)

3. 3. Subcommittee:: a a small part of a small part of a larger committee.larger committee. TheyThey hold hold hearings, gather information, and hearings, gather information, and work on details of bills particular to work on details of bills particular to its specific area. Over 150 in its specific area. Over 150 in Congress. Congress.

- First changes to bills are made - First changes to bills are made here. here.

- Its vote can affect the vote of the - Its vote can affect the vote of the full committee’s members. full committee’s members.

Committees (cont’d)Committees (cont’d)

4. House 4. House Rules Committee (VERY (VERY powerful!)powerful!) Sets the date and time for debate and Sets the date and time for debate and vote on a bill in the House of Reps (no vote on a bill in the House of Reps (no such comittee in he Senate).such comittee in he Senate).

Determines if amendments to bills will Determines if amendments to bills will be allowed: be allowed:

a. a. Open ruleOpen rule: amendments to bills : amendments to bills allowed; liberal debate time allowed allowed; liberal debate time allowed

b. b. Closed ruleClosed rule: amendments to bills : amendments to bills not allowed; debate time severely not allowed; debate time severely restricted.restricted.

Committee Seniority Committee Seniority Senate: Usually, the longest-serving member of

a committee from the majority party will serve as its chair. Limited to a 6-year term. Senators cannot chair more than one major committee.

House: Committee chairmen are selected by the majority party via secret ballot and can serve for 3 terms (6 years), but can chair only one major committee; usually the senior most member of majority party wins the chair; the Speaker of the House limited to serving 8 years.

Seniority system rules were changed in 1970s to allow the longest-serving member of the minority party to be the ranking member (second most senior member).

C. Committee TypesCommittee Types The House has more committees than

the Senate because it has more members who must organize themselves into smaller groups in order to accomplish its larger amount of work more efficiently.

Members of both houses serve on multiple committees. - House committee members are considered experts

- Senators are considered generalists

Committee Types Committee Types (cont’d)(cont’d)

1.1. Standing committees

- - Specialized, Specialized, permanent committees in both houses that conduct committees in both houses that conduct the majority of work in Congress.the majority of work in Congress.

- Each has at least 4 subcommittees. - Each has at least 4 subcommittees.

- Standing committees in one house - Standing committees in one house usually can be found in the other house usually can be found in the other house although they may not be called by the although they may not be called by the same title. same title.

Committee Types Committee Types (cont’d)(cont’d)

2.2. Joint Committees (temporary) Made up of both Senators and Made up of both Senators and

Representatives.Representatives. Purpose: Purpose: Investigation of major Investigation of major

policy issues critical to government policy issues critical to government operationsoperations

- Ex: Joint Economic Committee- Ex: Joint Economic Committee

Joint Intelligence Committee.Joint Intelligence Committee. Cannot report bills to the floor of Cannot report bills to the floor of

either house for debate or vote.either house for debate or vote.

Committee Types Committee Types (cont’d)(cont’d)

3.3. Select Committees (temporary, 1 term of Congress but can be extended))

- Created for a limited purpose to investigate - Created for a limited purpose to investigate or research an issue that falls outside the or research an issue that falls outside the expertise/authority of standing committees.expertise/authority of standing committees.

Senate Watergate Committee Senate Watergate Committee Senate Unfair Campaign Practices Senate Unfair Campaign Practices

CommitteeCommittee House Un-American Activities Committee House Un-American Activities Committee

Committee Types Committee Types (cont’d)(cont’d)

4. Conference committees (temporary)

- Created to work out - Created to work out compromises on bills passed compromises on bills passed earlier by both houses earlier by both houses separately. Task is to come up separately. Task is to come up with a with a compromise bill.

- - Compromise bills cannot be Compromise bills cannot be amended by either house, only amended by either house, only debated and voted on.debated and voted on.

D. D. Senate Lawmaking Senate Lawmaking DifferencesDifferences

1. Legislative agenda is set by the Majority 1. Legislative agenda is set by the Majority Leader; no separate Rules Committee as in Leader; no separate Rules Committee as in the House.the House.

2.2. Filibuster: : Used only in the Senate to Used only in the Senate to keep a vote on a bill from occurring thus keep a vote on a bill from occurring thus causing it to be defeated. Also known as causing it to be defeated. Also known as “talking a bill to death.”“talking a bill to death.”

- A - A vote of cloture can stop a filibuster can stop a filibuster but requires a concurring vote of but requires a concurring vote of at least 60 at least 60 senatorssenators. .

3. A 3. A “hold” is used to intentionally delay is used to intentionally delay action on a bill because a senator finds it action on a bill because a senator finds it objectionable in some way.objectionable in some way.

Senate Law-making Senate Law-making (cont’d)(cont’d)

4. A “rider” is an add-on to a bill which is not germane to the bill’s topic.

- This allows an unpopular idea to ride on the back of a popular bill and avoid the entire legislative process where it would probably be killed if it had to stand on its own merits.

- Riders can also be used to kill bills.

E. E. ““Pork Barrel” Pork Barrel” LegislationLegislation

“ “Pork” (a.k.a. Pork” (a.k.a. “earmarks”) is the wasteful is the wasteful spending of money by Congress which is spending of money by Congress which is usually stuck into bills to benefit a usually stuck into bills to benefit a Congressman’s district or senator’s home Congressman’s district or senator’s home state at the taxpayer’s expense. It is usually state at the taxpayer’s expense. It is usually done to help their reelection chances.done to help their reelection chances.

Examples:Examples: - Money to go to a state university to fund - Money to go to a state university to fund

a study about butterfly migration. a study about butterfly migration. - Federal funds given for construction - Federal funds given for construction

projects in someone’s district (creates jobs).projects in someone’s district (creates jobs). - The “Bridge-to-Nowhere” (look it up)- The “Bridge-to-Nowhere” (look it up)

F. F. The VetoThe Veto Veto: A refusal to sign a bill into law. The reason A refusal to sign a bill into law. The reason

for a President’s veto is made in writing and sent to for a President’s veto is made in writing and sent to the bill’s house of origin.the bill’s house of origin.

1. Veto-proof bills are those originally passed by 1. Veto-proof bills are those originally passed by more than more than 2/3 of the members of both 2/3 of the members of both houses.houses.

2. A bill unsigned for more than 10 days 2. A bill unsigned for more than 10 days (Sundays excluded) automatically becomes a law.(Sundays excluded) automatically becomes a law.

3. If Congress adjourns within 10 days of 3. If Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill it can be signed, or can besubmitting a bill it can be signed, or can be pocket vetoed..

- Pocket vetoes require no action on the - Pocket vetoes require no action on the President’s part and no veto message.President’s part and no veto message.

Line Item Veto Line Item Veto (1996)(1996)

Passed by Congress to allow the Passed by Congress to allow the President to veto any part of a bill it President to veto any part of a bill it sent to himsent to him

- Seen as a compromise measure - Seen as a compromise measure by which the President could take by which the President could take out questionable or wasteful out questionable or wasteful items in a bill without vetoing it items in a bill without vetoing it entirely.entirely.

Line Item Veto (cont’d)Line Item Veto (cont’d)

Reasons for a line item veto:Reasons for a line item veto: - Congress can’t check its pork-barrel - Congress can’t check its pork-barrel

spending and can therefore shift spending and can therefore shift responsibility for making difficult budget responsibility for making difficult budget decisions (cuts) to the executive branch. decisions (cuts) to the executive branch.

- Allows the President to curb a - Allows the President to curb a “spendthrift” Congress’s desire for “spendthrift” Congress’s desire for earmarks, a primary reason for incumbents’ earmarks, a primary reason for incumbents’ reelection.reelection.

- Declared unconstitutional in 1998 in:- Declared unconstitutional in 1998 in:

Clinton v. City of New York Clinton v. City of New York

G. G. Pigeonholing kills a bill in committee kills a bill in committee by ignoring it. The committee chairman can by ignoring it. The committee chairman can use this power in partisan ways.use this power in partisan ways.

- Bills are pigeonholed especially if they - Bills are pigeonholed especially if they are constituent related or excessively are constituent related or excessively loaded with “pork”loaded with “pork”

H. H. Discharge petition forces a bill in forces a bill in danger of “dying” from committee inaction danger of “dying” from committee inaction back onto the House/Senate floors for debate back onto the House/Senate floors for debate and vote.and vote.

Congressional Leaders- 112Congressional Leaders- 112thth CongressCongress

Senate Majority Leader

Senate Minority Leader

Speaker of the House

House Majority Leader

House Minority Leader

House Minority Whip

Senate Majority Whip

Senate Minority Whip

VII. VII. Congressional Congressional LeadershipLeadership

A. Congress is less party-centered today and A. Congress is less party-centered today and more committee oriented. Day to day more committee oriented. Day to day leadership is exhibited more through leadership is exhibited more through committee and subcommittee committee and subcommittee chairmanships. chairmanships.

- Floor leaders have less power than they - Floor leaders have less power than they did 50 years ago and certainly prior to 1910.did 50 years ago and certainly prior to 1910.

- There has been a growth of professional - There has been a growth of professional staffers (an army of them!) to complete staffers (an army of them!) to complete legislative tasks and casework duties.legislative tasks and casework duties.

Congressional Congressional LeadershipLeadership

B. B. House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives Speaker of the House A Constitutional A Constitutional position!position!

- - Second in line to assume the PresidencySecond in line to assume the Presidency

- Elected by the majority party (renewable 8 year - Elected by the majority party (renewable 8 year term)term)

- Most powerful legislative position- Most powerful legislative position

- Directs the House legislative agenda- Directs the House legislative agenda- Has influence over all committees and can influence Has influence over all committees and can influence

appointments of members to committees. appointments of members to committees.- Current incumbent is ___________________ .Current incumbent is ___________________ .

House of Reps Leadership House of Reps Leadership (cont’d)(cont’d)

Majority LeaderMajority Leader – Second highest – Second highest ranking member of the House and the ranking member of the House and the Speaker’s top assistant. Speaker’s top assistant.

- Responsible for planning the party’s - Responsible for planning the party’s legislative agenda, steering important legislative agenda, steering important bills through the House, and bills through the House, and coordinating the actions of committee coordinating the actions of committee chairs. chairs.

- Current incumbent: - Current incumbent: ______________________________________

House of Reps Leadership House of Reps Leadership (cont’d)(cont’d)

Minority leader-Minority leader- Leads his party in Leads his party in trying to move the minority party’s trying to move the minority party’s agenda. agenda.

- Main role is to act as the head of - Main role is to act as the head of the “loyal opposition.” No scheduling the “loyal opposition.” No scheduling power!power!

- May become the Speaker if his/her - May become the Speaker if his/her party regains the majority status.party regains the majority status.

- Incumbent: _______________- Incumbent: _______________

WhipsWhips

Whips (majority whip and minority (majority whip and minority whip) exist in both houses and whip) exist in both houses and execute the same duties:execute the same duties:

- Help the leaders maintain - Help the leaders maintain party loyalty of their members.party loyalty of their members.

- Count votes and rally party - Count votes and rally party members (plead, praise, deal, members (plead, praise, deal, threaten) to vote the party line threaten) to vote the party line regarding bills on the floor.regarding bills on the floor.

C. C. The Senate The Senate

President of the SenatePresident of the Senate - Vice President performs this role as per the Vice President performs this role as per the ConstitutionConstitution

- Can cast a vote Can cast a vote onlyonly to break a tie to break a tie- Cannot debate legislation or serve on Cannot debate legislation or serve on committeescommittees

President Pro TemporePresident Pro Tempore- - A Constitutional position but with little powerA Constitutional position but with little power

- Usually the most senior senator of the majority - Usually the most senior senator of the majority partyparty

- Acts as Senate president in the absence of the V.P.- Acts as Senate president in the absence of the V.P. - Current incumbent: ______________________- Current incumbent: ______________________

Senate Leadership Senate Leadership (cont’d)(cont’d)

Majority leader (Current incumbent: __________)

- Leads his party day to day. - Leads his party day to day.

- Constructs the majority party’s legislative - Constructs the majority party’s legislative agenda. agenda.

- Schedules the Senate legislative calendar. - Schedules the Senate legislative calendar.

- Steers important bills through committees. - Steers important bills through committees.

Minority leader (Current incumbent:

____________)

- Performs the same duties as their House - Performs the same duties as their House counterpart.counterpart.

VIII.VIII. Why do they vote Why do they vote that way?that way?

A. Pressure from various sources:A. Pressure from various sources: President political party constituents interest groups/PACs media pressure --- AND---

Peer PressurePeer Pressure

LOG-ROLLINGLOG-ROLLING

- When one member of Congress supports another legislator’s bill in return for support on his/her own bill or actions.

You scratch my back….

B. Legislative CaucusesB. Legislative Caucuses Definition: Informal organizations formed among Informal organizations formed among

congressional members who share similar points of congressional members who share similar points of view.view.

Goal: Shape the congressional agenda by raising their : Shape the congressional agenda by raising their interests within the daily workings of Congress. interests within the daily workings of Congress.

Tactics: Act as a bloc to organize votes on legislation : Act as a bloc to organize votes on legislation they favor and also pressure government agencies to they favor and also pressure government agencies to act favorably towards the interests of the caucus. (A act favorably towards the interests of the caucus. (A congressional interest group?)congressional interest group?)

Over 100 caucuses exist in CongressOver 100 caucuses exist in Congress ExamplesExamples: Congressional Black Caucus, Blue Dog : Congressional Black Caucus, Blue Dog

Coalition, Sunbelt Caucus, Republican Coalition, Sunbelt Caucus, Republican Caucus, Women’s Caucus Caucus, Women’s Caucus

IX. The other side of the IX. The other side of the coin…coin…

Congress is allowed to discipline its own Congress is allowed to discipline its own members:members:

- - Censure:Censure: The least “punitive” measure. A The least “punitive” measure. A formal letter of disapproval of a member’s actions formal letter of disapproval of a member’s actions that warrant condemnation before the member’s that warrant condemnation before the member’s full house. Could damage reelection chancesfull house. Could damage reelection chances

- - ExclusionExclusion:: An elected member is not allowed An elected member is not allowed to take their seat for reasons that have caused his to take their seat for reasons that have caused his membership in a house to be questioned.membership in a house to be questioned.

Other side of the coin Other side of the coin (cont’d)(cont’d)

The ultimate punishment:The ultimate punishment:

- - ExpulsionExpulsion:: A member is kicked A member is kicked out of Congress usually for criminal out of Congress usually for criminal conviction or highly disreputable conviction or highly disreputable conduct that brings disgrace upon conduct that brings disgrace upon the house. The member may also the house. The member may also face criminal charges. face criminal charges.

B. All punishments could result in a B. All punishments could result in a loss of committee chairmanship or loss of committee chairmanship or party support.party support.

END OF UNIT 8END OF UNIT 8

Congress – Congress – The Legislative The Legislative

BranchBranch