Summary
6.1-Roots of the Legislative Branch of Government
The Constitution created a bicameral legislature with members of each body to be elected differently, and thus to represent different constituencies. Article 1 of the Constitutions sets forth qualifications for office, states age minimums, and specifies how legislators are to be distributed among the states. The Constitution also requires that seats in the House of Representatives be apportioned by population. Thus, after every U.S. Census, state legislatures must redraw district lines to reflect population shifts. In addition, the Constitution also provides a vast array of enumerated and implied powers to Congress. Both houses of Congress share some, such as law-making and oversight, but not others, such as confirmation of presidential appointees.
6.2-The Members of Congress
Members of Congress live in two worlds-in their home districts and in the District of Columbia. They must attempt to appease two constituencies: party leaders, colleagues, and the lobbyists in Washington D.C., on the one hand, the constituents in their home districts, on the other. In general, members of Congress are better educated, richer, more likely to be male, and more likely to be white than the general population, in terms of its makeup, and membership in one of the two major parties is almost always a prerequisite for election, as is the ability to raise money. When it comes to reelection, incumbency and redistricting also affect members' chances.
6.3-How Congress is Organized
Political parties play a major role in the way Congress is organized. The Speaker of the House is traditionally a member of the majority party, and the parties also control other leadership roles, such as majority and minority leaders and whips. In addition to the party leaders, Congress has a labyrinth of committees and subcommittees that cover the entire range of government policies, often with a confusing tangle of shared responsibilities. In theses environments, many policies take shape and members make their primary contributions to solving public problems.
6.4- Identify three of the most significant powers of Congress
The three most significant powers of Congress are its lawmaking, budgetary, and oversight functions. The road to enacting a bill into law is long and strewn with obstacles, and only a small share of the proposals introduced become law. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 solidified Congress’s role in the budgetary process. Congress conducts oversight in a number of ways, including through hearings. Congress also offers advice and consent on executive and judicial branch nominees and has the power to impeach federal officials and remove them from office.
6.5- Analyze the factors that influence how members of Congress make decisions.
Members’ view of their representational role--as trustees, delegates, or politicos--influences how they make policy decisions. Legislators may also consider a number of other factors, including political party; constituents; colleagues and caucuses; staff and support agencies; and interest groups, lobbyists, and political action committees. When a bill is non-ideological or one on which a member has no real position, staff members may have the greatest influence on how a member of Congress votes.
6.6- Evaluate the strategic interactions between Congress, the president, the courts, and the people.
The balance of power between Congress and the executive branch has fluctuated tremendously over time. Congress was most powerful in the early years of U.S. history, but since the New Deal, the president has played an important role in proposing legislation and spending. An ongoing power struggle also characterizes legislative-judicial relations. Although the judiciary can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional, Congress also exercises control over the judiciary in a variety of ways. The people also hold an important check on all political institutions.
6.1-Roots of the Legislative Branch of Government
The Constitution created a bicameral legislature with members of each body to be elected differently, and thus to represent different constituencies. Article 1 of the Constitutions sets forth qualifications for office, states age minimums, and specifies how legislators are to be distributed among the states. The Constitution also requires that seats in the House of Representatives be apportioned by population. Thus, after every U.S. Census, state legislatures must redraw district lines to reflect population shifts. In addition, the Constitution also provides a vast array of enumerated and implied powers to Congress. Both houses of Congress share some, such as law-making and oversight, but not others, such as confirmation of presidential appointees.
6.2-The Members of Congress
Members of Congress live in two worlds-in their home districts and in the District of Columbia. They must attempt to appease two constituencies: party leaders, colleagues, and the lobbyists in Washington D.C., on the one hand, the constituents in their home districts, on the other. In general, members of Congress are better educated, richer, more likely to be male, and more likely to be white than the general population, in terms of its makeup, and membership in one of the two major parties is almost always a prerequisite for election, as is the ability to raise money. When it comes to reelection, incumbency and redistricting also affect members' chances.
6.3-How Congress is Organized
Political parties play a major role in the way Congress is organized. The Speaker of the House is traditionally a member of the majority party, and the parties also control other leadership roles, such as majority and minority leaders and whips. In addition to the party leaders, Congress has a labyrinth of committees and subcommittees that cover the entire range of government policies, often with a confusing tangle of shared responsibilities. In theses environments, many policies take shape and members make their primary contributions to solving public problems.
6.4- Identify three of the most significant powers of Congress
The three most significant powers of Congress are its lawmaking, budgetary, and oversight functions. The road to enacting a bill into law is long and strewn with obstacles, and only a small share of the proposals introduced become law. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 solidified Congress’s role in the budgetary process. Congress conducts oversight in a number of ways, including through hearings. Congress also offers advice and consent on executive and judicial branch nominees and has the power to impeach federal officials and remove them from office.
6.5- Analyze the factors that influence how members of Congress make decisions.
Members’ view of their representational role--as trustees, delegates, or politicos--influences how they make policy decisions. Legislators may also consider a number of other factors, including political party; constituents; colleagues and caucuses; staff and support agencies; and interest groups, lobbyists, and political action committees. When a bill is non-ideological or one on which a member has no real position, staff members may have the greatest influence on how a member of Congress votes.
6.6- Evaluate the strategic interactions between Congress, the president, the courts, and the people.
The balance of power between Congress and the executive branch has fluctuated tremendously over time. Congress was most powerful in the early years of U.S. history, but since the New Deal, the president has played an important role in proposing legislation and spending. An ongoing power struggle also characterizes legislative-judicial relations. Although the judiciary can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional, Congress also exercises control over the judiciary in a variety of ways. The people also hold an important check on all political institutions.
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