🎪Intro to American Politics Unit 7 – Congress

What's Congress and Why Should I Care?

• Congress is the legislative branch of the US federal government responsible for creating, debating, and passing laws
• Consists of two chambers: the Senate (upper house) and the House of Representatives (lower house)
• Plays a crucial role in the system of checks and balances, ensuring no single branch of government becomes too powerful
• Holds the "power of the purse" controls government spending and taxation
• Represents the interests of constituents from all 50 states and territories
• Conducts oversight of the executive branch and can investigate potential wrongdoing or abuse of power
• Confirms presidential appointments to key positions (Supreme Court justices, Cabinet members, etc.)
• Ratifies treaties with foreign nations and has the power to declare war

The Basics: Structure and Organization

• The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state regardless of population
  • Senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate up for election every two years
  • Must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen for nine years, and a resident of the state they represent
• The House of Representatives has 435 members, with seats allocated based on state population
  • Representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every even-numbered year
  • Must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for seven years, and a resident of the state they represent
• Each chamber has its own leadership structure, including a presiding officer (Speaker of the House, President of the Senate) and majority/minority leaders
• Congress is divided into specialized committees and subcommittees that focus on specific policy areas (agriculture, education, foreign affairs, etc.)
• The Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. houses both chambers of Congress and is where most legislative business takes place

How a Bill Becomes a Law (It's Not Just Schoolhouse Rock)

• The process begins when a member of Congress introduces a bill in their respective chamber
• The bill is assigned to the appropriate committee(s) for review, debate, and potential amendments
  • Subcommittees may hold hearings to gather expert testimony and public input
  • If approved by the committee, the bill moves to the full chamber for consideration
• In the House, the Rules Committee determines the parameters for debate and amendments on the floor
• If the bill passes one chamber, it moves to the other for a similar process of committee review and floor debate
• If the bill passes both chambers in identical form, it goes to the President for approval or veto
  • If the President signs the bill, it becomes law
  • If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers
• If the House and Senate pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences and create a final version for approval
• Once signed into law, the bill is assigned a public law number and becomes part of the United States Code

Powers and Responsibilities: What Can Congress Actually Do?

• Congress has the power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, coin money, and borrow funds on behalf of the United States
• Declares war and raises and supports the armed forces, though the President serves as Commander-in-Chief
• Establishes post offices and postal roads, and regulates patents and copyrights
• Makes laws necessary for executing its enumerated powers and all other powers vested by the Constitution
• Oversees and investigates the executive branch through hearings, subpoenas, and other oversight mechanisms
• Confirms or rejects presidential appointments to key positions (Supreme Court justices, Cabinet members, etc.)
• Ratifies treaties with foreign nations, requiring a two-thirds majority in the Senate
• Can impeach and remove federal officials, including the President, for "high crimes and misdemeanors"

Who's Who: Key Players and Leadership Roles

• Speaker of the House: elected by the majority party, presides over the House, and is second in the presidential line of succession
• President of the Senate: the Vice President of the United States, presides over the Senate and casts tie-breaking votes
• Majority Leader: chosen by the majority party in each chamber, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and managing floor debate
• Minority Leader: chosen by the minority party in each chamber, serves as the opposition leader and chief spokesperson for their party
• Whips: assist the majority and minority leaders in managing their party's legislative priorities and ensuring member attendance and voting
• Committee Chairs: selected by the majority party, oversee the work of individual committees and subcommittees
• Ranking Members: the most senior member of the minority party on each committee, serves as the opposition leader within the committee

Committees: Where the Real Work Happens

• Congress divides its legislative, oversight, and internal administrative tasks among various committees and subcommittees
• There are three main types of committees: standing, select, and joint
  • Standing committees are permanent panels that focus on specific policy areas (agriculture, education, etc.)
  • Select committees are temporary and created for a specific purpose or investigation (Watergate, 9/11, etc.)
  • Joint committees include members from both the House and Senate and typically address issues of shared concern (taxation, the economy, etc.)
• Committees hold hearings to gather expert testimony, investigate issues, and consider legislation
• Subcommittees are specialized divisions within committees that focus on narrower aspects of the committee's jurisdiction
• The committee system allows members to develop expertise in specific policy areas and divides the workload of Congress
• Most bills die in committee, never reaching the floor for a vote by the full chamber

Elections and Representation: How Do They Get There?

• House members are elected every two years from single-member districts within each state
  • Districts are redrawn after each decennial census to account for population shifts, a process known as redistricting
  • Gerrymandering, the manipulation of district boundaries for political advantage, is a controversial aspect of redistricting
• Senators are elected every six years, with staggered terms so that one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years
  • Prior to the 17th Amendment (1913), Senators were chosen by state legislatures rather than direct popular vote
• Congressional elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years
• Incumbents have a significant advantage in congressional elections due to name recognition, fundraising, and other factors
• Special elections may be held to fill vacancies that occur mid-term due to resignation, death, or other circumstances
• The demographics of Congress have become more diverse over time, but still do not fully reflect the diversity of the American population

Current Issues and Debates in Congress

• Partisan polarization and gridlock have increased in recent decades, making it difficult for Congress to address pressing issues
• The filibuster, a procedural tool used to delay or block legislation in the Senate, has become a frequent point of contention
• Congress faces challenges in adapting to new technologies and addressing issues such as cybersecurity, privacy, and the spread of misinformation
• The role of money in politics, including campaign finance and lobbying, is a ongoing concern and subject of debate
• Congress grapples with how to address long-term fiscal challenges, such as rising debt and deficits, entitlement reform, and tax policy
• The balance of power between Congress and the executive branch is a perennial issue, particularly in areas such as war powers, executive orders, and oversight
• Congress plays a key role in shaping foreign policy and international trade, including ratifying treaties and approving trade agreements
• Issues of social justice, civil rights, and equality continue to be prominent in congressional debates and legislation