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Representative Democracy
What is the governments function in a democratic society?– Translating the public will into public policy in the
form of law
James Madison call Congress “the first branch” of the National Government– Why?
First and longest article is devoted to Congress
Bicameral Legislature
Why did the founding fathers create a bicameral legislature?
Historical Reasons Practical Reasons Theoretical Reasons
Historical Reasons
British Parliament consisted of two houses since the 1300’s
Most of the Framers knew this system Most of the States had already established
bicameral legislatures
Practical and Theoretical Reasons
Practical– Needed to settle the conflict between the Virginia
and the new Jersey Plans– What was this conflict?
Theoretical – Checks and Balances
Saw Bicameralism as a way to diffuse the power of Congress
Terms and Sessions
Each term lasts for two years First term began on March 4, 1789 and
ended two years later 20th Amendment
– What did you think was the purpose of the later start date?
Terms and Sessions Cont.
A session of Congress is that period of time in which Congress meets each year and conducts business
There are two sessions to each term of Congress
Congress adjourns each session as it sees fits– Neither house can adjourn without the consent of
the other
The President has the power to prorogue– Has not been used
President may call Congress to special session– Can call Congress as a whole or individual
houses– This power is not used much any more
House of Representatives Qualifications
Formal Qualifications– At least 25– 7 years a citizen– Resident of the state in which elected
Informal Qualifications– College degree– Political Experience– Resident of District in which elected
House of Representatives
435 members of the House of Representatives
Set by Congress Seats apportioned based on their population Each state is guaranteed at least one seat Serve two years
– No limit on the number of terms they can serve
Reapportionment
Reapportion the seats in the House after each decennial census (10 years)
The Reapportionment Act of 1929– Permanent size 435– Following each Census the Census Bureau
determines the number of seats each state has– When plan is ready it is sent to Congress– 60 days to approve and for it to become effective
Congressional Elections
Held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year.
Off-year election: – held during nonpresidential years
Districts
435 Districts Single member District
– Voters in each district elect its members from many different candidates running for the same spot.
General Ticket system– Elected from the state as a whole– This was done away with
Gerrymandering
1842 Law required each State to draw their own congressional districts– Continuous territory– Equal number of inhabitants– Compact territory
Gerrymandering– District drawn to the advantage of the political party that
controls the state legislature Concentrate opposing voters To spread the opposition as thinly as possible
The Senate
“upper house” 2 members per State which is set by the
Constitution 100 members 6 year term No limit on number of terms they can serve Continuous body
Election of Senators
Originally, the Constitution provide that the State legislators picked Senators
17th Amendment (1913)– Senators elected by the voters of the States– Senate killed this amendment twice before
passing it– Senators chosen at-large
By the whole state
Qualifications for Senators
At least 30 Citizen for at least 9 years Inhabitant of State which elected The Senate, like the House, judges the
qualifications of its members– May exclude a member from the majority vote– May refuse to seat a member elected– May punish its members by majority vote
Congress as a Whole
Five major roles– Legislator– Representative of their constituents– Committee members– Servants of constituents– politicians
How do they represent the people? On what basis do they vote?
Trustees– Believe each question they face must be decided by merits– Conscience and independent judgment are their guides
Delegates– Agents of those who elected them– Vote the way “people back home” would want
Partisans– their views connect with the party– Allegiance to political party
Politicos– Combine basic elements of the first three– Balance their views, party views, and what the people want
Committee members– Screen bill proposals– Decide what will go to the floor– Over sight function
Check to see various agencies in the executive branch are working effectively
Servants– Help people who have various problems with the federal
bureaucracy– Ex. Social Security, passports, small business loans
Compensation
Salary
Non Salary Compensation– Special tax deduction– Generous travel allowances– Office in Senate and House building– Given money to hire a staff– Franking- privilege
Mail items without using postage
Help Wanted Ads
Create a want ad for both a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate
Include:– Qualifications– Responsibilities– Salary– Compensations– A Picture– Color
Presiding Officer
HOUSE Speaker of the House
must be elected every two years
SENATE Vice-President of the
U.S. is assigned by the Constitution to be the “President of the Senate”
Special Powers
HOUSE Brings impeachment
charges May choose the President if
there is no majority in the electoral system
Must start all revenue bills
SENATE Acts as jury in impeachment
trials (2/3 vote needed) May choose the Vice
President if there is no majority in the electoral system
Must ratify treaties with foreign nations by 2/3 vote
Must approves Presidential appointments (majority needed)