U.S. Congress: Structure & Powers

Bicameral Congress

• The U.S. Congress is bicameral, featuring the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• The bicameral structure resulted from The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise).
• The goal was to balance the interests of states with large and small populations.
• House representation is based on state population size.
• Each state has equal representation in the Senate.

Powers of Congress

• Congress has the power to make laws.
• Congress possesses the power of the purse (tax and spend).
• Congress is empowered to declare war.
• Congress regulates commerce.
• Congress can impeach and remove federal officials.
• The Senate confirms or rejects presidential appointments.

Delegate vs. Trustee Role

• A delegate legislator follows the wishes of their constituents, even against personal beliefs.
• A trustee legislator uses their own judgment to make decisions, regardless of constituents’ opinions.

House vs. Senate - Formal Powers

• The House of Representatives has more power over revenue (taxation) bills.
• The House initiates impeachment charges.
• The Senate ratifies treaties.
• The Senate confirms presidential appointments.
• The Senate holds impeachment trials.

House vs. Senate - Structure

• The House has 435 members; Senators number 100.
• House members serve 2-year terms; Senators serve 6-year terms.
• The House has more formal rules; the Senate operates with less formal rules.
• Individual House members have generally less power than individual Senators.

Filibuster

• A filibuster is a Senate tactic to delay or block a vote on a bill through extended speaking.
• A cloture vote, requiring a supermajority of 60 votes, can end a filibuster.

Federalist No. 51

• This essay by James Madison advocates for checks and balances and separation of powers.
• The structure of government will prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Incumbent Advantages

• Incumbents (current officeholders) benefit from name recognition.
• Incumbents have greater access to campaign finance.
• Incumbents have the advantage of constituent services.
• Incumbents possess experience and political connections.
• Gerrymandered districts benefit incumbents in the House.

Baker v. Carr

• This 1962 Supreme Court case allowed federal courts to intervene in redistricting cases.
• It established "one person, one vote."
• Districts must be roughly equal in population.

Shaw v. Reno

• The 1993 Supreme court case ruled that racial gerrymandering may violate the 14th Amendment.
• This is even if the intention is to increase minority representation.

Reapportionment vs. Redistricting

• Reapportionment redistributes House seats based on the census every ten years and occurs first.
• Reapportionment determines how many representatives each state gets.
• Redistricting redraws district boundaries within states to reflect population changes, following reapportionment.

Gerrymandering

• Gerrymandering manipulates electoral district boundaries to favor a party or group.
• It can create oddly-shaped districts for electoral advantage.

Types of Committees

• Standing Committees: Permanent, dealing with specific policy areas.
• Select Committees: Temporary, investigating specific issues.
• Joint Committees: Include House and Senate members, focusing on particular issues.
• Conference Committees: Temporary, resolving differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Committee vs. Caucus

• Committees are groups of legislators focused on specific policy areas, central to the legislative process.
• Caucuses are groups of legislators from the same party or with common interests for policy discussion and coordination.

Power of Majority Party in Congress

• The majority party controls key leadership positions.
• It has influence over the legislative agenda, committee assignments, and the flow of legislation.

Powers of Speaker, Senate Pro Tem, Majority Party Leader

• Speaker of the House: Leader of the House, controls the legislative agenda, presides over debates.
• Senate Pro Tem: A senior member of the majority party presides over the Senate in the Vice President’s absence, usually a ceremonial role.
• Majority Party Leader: Leader of the majority party in either the House or Senate, guides their party’s legislative agenda.

Entitlement Program

• Entitlement programs provide benefits based on eligibility criteria.
• Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance are examples of entitlement programs.
• Individuals meeting requirements are guaranteed benefits.