Congress
Dr. Patrick Scott
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/courses/polsc231
© Dr. Patrick Scott
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Page 1 of 18
Congress
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Conflicting Views
n 
We disdain the “Institution” of Congress
n 
We “love” our individual members
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© Dr. Patrick Scott
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Page 2 of 18
Comparison to Other Legislatures (Parliamentary
Democracies)
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Selection of the Chief Executive
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Level of Control by Party Leadership
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© Dr. Patrick Scott
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Page 3 of 18
Congress – The Early Years
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Two basic concerns of the Founders:
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Concentration of Political Power
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Protection of States’ interests
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© Dr. Patrick Scott
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Page 4 of 18
Some Basic Facts
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Powers of Congress
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Terms of Office
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How do differences in terms influence decisions
made by each member? (Trustee vs Delegate)
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Page 5 of 18
The Power of Incumbency
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Franking Privilege
Free trips back to their districts
Local and national support staff
Media opportunities
Pork-Barrel Politics
PAC support
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© Dr. Patrick Scott
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Page 6 of 18
Organization of Congress
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Senate - Key Players:
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Vice-President
President Pro Tempore
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Majority Whip
Minority Whip
Other Key Actors
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© Dr. Patrick Scott
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Page 7 of 18
Organization of Congress
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House - Key Players:
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n 
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Speaker
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Majority Whip
Minority Whip
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© Dr. Patrick Scott
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Saylor.org
Page 8 of 18
Committee Structure
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Standing committees
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Select committees
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Joint committees
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Conference committees
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Page 9 of 18
The “Dance” of Legislation
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Referred to a standing committee/subcommittee
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The bill is researched, investigated, deliberated upon
Public hearings may be held
Other evidence is gathered (interest group input)
Revisions/additions are made to the bill
The committee/subcommittee votes on the bill - if a
majority approve, it will go to the full House or Senate
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Page 10 of 18
The “Dance” of Legislation
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IF... the bill reaches the floor, it is debated.
n 
Perhaps even more revisions/additions are made
("riders")
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IF...the bill is passed, it has to go to the other House for
consideration.
o 
IF...the bill makes it out of the other House, but in a
different form, a conference committee must be formed.
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Page 11 of 18
The “Dance” of Legislation
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IF...these differences are ironed out; the bill goes Back to
both Houses.
n  Both Houses have to approve the Conference
Committee report.
o 
IF...both Houses approve, the bill goes to the President.
o 
IF...the President vetoes, it takes 2/3's majority in both
Houses to override - if not, the bill dies.
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Page 12 of 18
The Role of Staff
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Congressional Staffers
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Other Staff agencies
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CRS
GAO
CBO
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Page 13 of 18
A Persistent Problem for Congress
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Individual Responsiveness & Collective
Irresponsibility
n 
The factors that help members get re-elected lead
to collectively larger spending by government has
a whole
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Page 14 of 18
Term Limits for Congress?
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Background
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Page 15 of 18
Term Limits for Congress?
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Arguments For:
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You become out of touch with your constituents?
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Power of Incumbency
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n 
Terms limits would help bring more women and
minorities into politics; might also help reduce
campaign expenditures
Allows you to vote your conscience
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Page 16 of 18
Term Limits: Arguments Against
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They deprive voters of the opportunity to re-elect good
people.
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They would deprive Congress of institutional knowledge and
expertise; give more power to other institutional actors
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Amateurs would always be learning the ropes, thus making
for poor policy
o 
States with term limits might be at a disadvantage when
compared to states without term limits. Why?
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Page 17 of 18
The Missouri General Assembly
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Basic Facts
o 
Similarities/Differences when compared to
Congress
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Page 18 of 18