Congress explained Organisation Congress is Bicameral The Senate
Congress explained
Organisation • Congress is Bicameral • The Senate consists of 2 Senators from each of the 50 states • The House of Representatives has 435 members • Elected from congressional districts of about equal population • Every State must have at least 1 seat • Alabama 7 House Seats • Delaware 1 House Seat • New York 34 House Seats
Party Structure • The Democrats • and Republicans • These two dominate the process – Party with most seats is the MAJORITY party, those with the least MINORITY • Before each new session the parties meet in a CAUCUS or a conference to choose party leaders and consider legislative issues and plans
Committees • Committees prepare the bills to be voted on • The system divides the work of processing legislation, enabling members to specialise. • The majority party elects the Head of each Committee • Also the majority party holds the most seats on the Committees
Role of the Vice-President • The Head of the Senate • Actually only appears on special occasions or to cast a vote, if there is a tie in the House • The Senate normally elects a protempore to serve in the V-P’s absence • The Speaker is very important, with broad powers
The Vote • A new Congress is elected every 2 years • Voters elect all the representatives at this time, plus around 2/3 rds of the Senate • The Senate is a continuing body as it is never completely new
Which House is most powerful? • Technically equal • Could be argued that the Senate’s responsibilities re: Treaties and ratification of appointments gives it greater authority • House has revenue raising powers, but Senate has full amendment powers • Presidential candidates tend to come from the Senate – greater media coverage etc.
Continued…. • A senators 6 year term gives them a chance to acquire a working knowledge of their subjects. The Congressman’s 2 year term is too short • Senators elected by a whole state, not just a district of it • Politicians as a whole are held in low self esteem by Americans, those who have improved themselves through industry are much more impressive.
- Slides: 8