Legislative Branch, First Set of Slides
- 1. Unit 4: The National Legislature ARTICLE I What do we already know?
- 2. What does Congress do? Translates the public will into public policy in the forms of law (make laws) Oversees Bureaucracy Consensus Building Clarifying policy to the public Legitimization and Expressing Diversity
- 3. Federalists’ view of the Legislative Branch: Congress is the first Branch of government because of the powers and prerogative
- 4. Foundations Framers purposely crafted a body that favored deliberation to act boldly only when backed by persistent popular majority, or a broad consensus among its leaders, or both. Why?
- 5. SLOW TO ACT!
- 6. Bicameral Legislature: Two chamber legislature. Originally the House would be elected by the people and Senate would be elected by State legislatures
- 7. Foundations Why a bicameral legislature? Historical Basis Practical Basis Theoretical Basis
- 8. Historical Basis: British Parliament had two houses, Americans understood this because they were used to it. House of Lords and House of Commons
- 9. Practical Basis Two chambers settled the conflict between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. How did these two plans present representation?
- 10. Theoretical Basis One house works as a check on the other. We wouldn’t want one house to usurp all legislative power.
- 11. Influence Each individual exercises some influence so the beliefs and interests of each individual are very important.
- 12. Terms and Sessions Term for Congress: 2 years Currently in our Second Session Session: 1 year
- 14. House wants to be both big and powerful as individuals (each member) but also be powerful as a group. If you want to be powerful as a group you need a smaller group. This would make individuals lose some power. If individuals gain power, the loose collective power. It is a contradiction. Do they want to be powerful as a group? Or powerful as individuals?
- 15. Elections and Terms There are 435 seats...each Representative represents about 650,000 Americans. The Number was set by Congress in the Reapportionment Act of 1929 Each State is guaranteed at least 1 representative.
- 16. There are 7 States that only have 1 rep apiece Representatives are chosen every 2nd year, so they have two year terms. This means that the next election is always around the corner. House members must reside in the district they represent
- 17. Elections for the House must take place within each congressional district. House incumbent rates: election rates at about 90% because they are better known, its easier to raise funds, can use staff to do constituent service, and they can serve on committees that help constituents.
- 18. Formal Qualifications for the House 25 years of age US Citizen for at least 7 years Inhabitant of the State you are elected
- 19. Informal Qualifications Vote getting abilities Party identification Name Familiarity Gender Ethnic characteristic Political experience Right combination of these
- 20. House of Reps and Diversity Average member is a white male about 53 years of age 74 women Almost all are married 42 African Americans 27 Hispanic Americans 4 Asian Americans 1 Native Americans 1 Gay American First Muslim, first Buddhists
- 21. SENATE
- 22. Senators are supposed to be less concerned with the interests of a special locality and more focused on the big picture...why? They are a prime source of contenders for the presidential nominations. Senators must meet a higher level of qualifications than Reps Generally thought to be a more prestigious position than the House Framers hoped that Senators would be more enlightened and responsible than the House. Why?
- 23. Elections and Terms How were Senators originally chosen? Originally chosen by State legislatures, but that changed with the 17th Amendment (1913). Each state is guaranteed 2 Senators. How many Senators are there?
- 24. Terms last 6 years, no term limits Elections of 1/3 of the Senate every two years. Continuos body - all of its seats are never up for election at the same time
- 25. Greater job security - less subject to the pressures of public opinion and interest groups. Why? Not always concerned with reelection
- 26. States as a whole vote for Senators. These elections are generally more competitive, expensive, high profile, and draw more candidates from other elected offices than House elections. Why?
- 27. Qualifications 30 years old citizens for 9 years inhabit state where they are elected from
- 28. Diversity in Senate Average member is a white male about 58 years old Change is slower than in the House 1 African American 16 women 13 Jewish Americans 3 Hispanic Americans 2 Asian - Americans 1 Arab - Americans