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Who’s In Congress
A Look at Demographics of the 113th CongressChapter 13, pp. 325-330, CT Packet & Handout from CQ
Race & Gender Number has Increased slowly since 1992.
Can you point to a factor as to why? Study your homework sheet. What do you
notice about party politics of minorities in general? Why do you think minorities increased in the 113th Congress?
Let’s discuss your homework by trends:
Women in Congress
89th Congress1965-66
113th Congress2013-2014
Race in Congress: Then & Now
Race in Congress Chart
Religious Diversity
% Religious Preference
ProtestantCatholicMormanJewishUnaffiliatedOther
31%
7%
56%
Incumbency Define term. 1989 saw smallest freshman class at 6%
&1993 saw the largest in nearly 50 years with 39%. 2011 & 2013 by comparison had a freshman class of 20%.
Check & grade handouts.
Incumbency Is a constitutional amendment needed? Let’s start with the “NO” position
Redistricting in 1990sScandals of 1990sBlue Dog Democrats became Republicans
Walter Jones is GREAT example!
Now, the “YES” position… More safe than marginal districts now
Define terms
Safe vs. Marginal NC US District 3 is a great
example of safe district
Walter Jones
Opponents0.00%
10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%60.00%70.00%80.00%90.00%
100.00%
2012
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
Why so many safe districts? Name Recognition
Publicity in mediaFamous fathers
Franking PrivilegeDefine
Free Travel Gerrymandered districts Pork Barrel Legislation
Discuss earmark projects
Party Comparisons
Democrats have controlled Congress more often since 1933:27 times controlled BOTH houses (2009/111th
most recent)32 times controlled ONE house (2013/113th
still control Senate)Discuss current Congress with sheet.
Why is Congress Democrat Dominated? Gerrymandering
Debate how NC changed in 2011. Has NC shifted to Republican control?
Yes-NCGA Republican takeover 2011Yes-Currituck Co. Republican takeoverMaybe-NC was Blue in ’08/Red in ‘12Maybe-NC executive branch has
Democrats in elected offices-Gov. is Rep.
Party Problems Democrats are more ideologically divided,
but Tea Party has fractured Republicans Many Southern Democrats have switched
to Republican PartyWBJ, Jr. is example: WBJ, Sr. was Democrat
Both Parties seem to be moving to the ideological extremeWhat is the cause of the extremism?How have budget fights highlighted this?
How has Congress changed in the past 50 years? Interview with Senator Dorganhttp://loufreyinstitute.org/civicsconnection/conversations/1/11
Is Congress broken?http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50134480n
What commonalities exist in the 2 videos?What can be done to “fix” Congress?Are there any benefits to the current state of
Congress?