THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS June 18 th

THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS June 18 th

Inside Congress -- The Two Houses • Why Two Houses? – different basis of representation • representation of constituencies versus representation of states • different weight of states in each house

Inside Congress -- The Two Houses • Why Two Houses? – different basis of representation – different electoral time-frame • House of Representative – constant campaign mode – responsive to current political demands • Senate – more removed from immediate political pressure – can take long-term view

Inside Congress -- The Two Houses • Why Two Houses? – different basis of representation – different electoral time-frame – each plays a different role and represents different interests

Inside Congress -- The Two Houses • House of Representatives – unique powers • introducing money bills • Senate – unique powers • ratification of presidential appointments • ratification of treaties • both play a role in routine law-making

The Dynamics of Congressional Law-Making • Inside Congress – Within Each House – Between the Houses • Congress and the President

Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives • Factors Effecting Voting in the House of Representatives – party influence – district influence – ideological influence – special interest influence

Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives • weak party discipline – individual members are more open to outside influence • responsive • can be controlled by outside interests – importance of log-rolling • broad benefits, compromise • hard to get things done • sometimes described as bribery

Party Unity – House of Representatives HOUSE SUPPORT Republicans Democrats Boehner, OH 99% Coyne, PA 99% Bonilla, TX 99% Filner, CA 99% Callahan, AL 99% Crane, IL 99% Schakowsky CA Solis, CA Oxley, OH 99% Brown, OH 98% 99%

Party Unity – House of Representatives (Support for Republicans) Highest (D) and Lowest (R) Republicans Democrats Morella, MD 61% Traficant, OH 91% Leach, IO 73% Hall, TX 75% Shays, CT 75% Lucas, KY 53% Gilman, NY 76% Cramer, AL 50% Johnson, CT 76% John, LA 48%

Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives • committee system – important – dominated according to seniority

Inside Congress -- Inside the Senate • the Senate Atmosphere -- Senatorial Privileges • Cloture and the Filibuster • the committee system

Party Unity – The Senate SENATE SUPPORT Republicans Democrats Allard, CO 98% Dayton, MN 99% Helms, NC 98% Reed, RI 99% Kyl, AZ 98% Daschle, SD 98% Lott, MS 98% Kerry, MA 98% Mc. Connell, KY 98% Levin, MI 98%

Party Unity – Senate (Support for Republicans) Highest (D) and Lowest (R) Republicans Democrats Chafee, RI 50% Miller, GA 58% Specter, PA 60% Nelson, NB 42% Snowe, ME 64% Breaux, LA 41% Collins, ME 67% Baucus, MT 33% Mc. Cain, AZ 67% Cleland, GA 22%

Inside Congress -- Between the Houses • A Congress Divided? • Differences between the Houses – electoral time-frames – representational concerns – dynamics of operation • balancing different interests

Congress and the President • Formal Powers of Congress • United vs. Divided Government – frequency and causes of divided government – effects of divided government • The President and His Party • The President and the “Other” Party

Party Unity – House Presidential Support Highest (D) and Lowest (R) Republicans Democrats Paul, TX 49% Hall, TX 86% Morella, MD 53% Lucas, KY 81% Leach, IO 60% Traficant, OH 81% Gilman, NY 62% John, LA 69% Ramstad, MN 65% Cramer, AL 67%

Party Unity – Senate Presidential Support Highest (D) and Lowest (R) Republicans Democrats Chafee, RI 84% Miller, GA 82% Snowe, ME 84% Breaux, LA 77% Specter, PA 13% Landrieu, LA 74% Collins, ME 12% Nelson, NB 74% Mc. Cain, AZ 91% Baucus, MT 71%