THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS Inside Congress The Two

Inside Congress -- The Two Houses • Why Two Houses? – different basis of

Inside Congress -- The Two Houses • House of Representatives – unique powers •

The Dynamics of Congressional Law-Making • Inside Congress – Within Each House – Between

Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives • Factors Effecting Voting in the

Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives • weak party discipline – individual

Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives • committee system – important –

Inside Congress -- Inside the Senate • the Senate Atmosphere -- Senatorial Privileges •

Inside Congress -- Between the Houses • A Congress Divided? • Differences between the

Congress and the President • Formal Powers of Congress • United vs. Divided Government

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THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

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

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

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