The Congress:
House of Representatives
HOW IS THE CONGRESS LIKE A TEACUP AND SAUCER?
CONGRESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AS A WHOLE
Founders thought Congress would be
focus of electorate’s attention
All bills (taxes, war) must pass both Houses to be a law
“power of the purse”
Bill passage was designed to be difficult
Organized party, seniority and committee system of jurisdiction; where most work gets done
Congress has oversite, investigative and legal powers (ex. summons for hearing testimony)
Constitutional Clauses: Amendment; Elastic; Interstate Commerce
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Districts based on population
1 Rep/700,000 people
Districts are redrawn by their
respective legislatures to reflect
national population shifts every 10
years (census).
435 members; 435 Congressional districts
Whole House up for election each even year.
Revenue bills must start here;
and impeachment powers
US Congressional Map
113th Congress
270towin
22nd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (2012-2020)
Congressman Richard Hanna (R)
22nd Congressional District Demographics
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Leadership and Organization: Majority Rule
Strict political hierarchy; more partisan
Majority: Speaker, Majority Leader,
powerful Committee Chairs,
Whips
Speaker of the House
John Boehner (R) Ohio
Organized by political
party and seniority
Minority: Minority Leader, Whips,
Committee Co-chairs, Whips
caucus: meetings by party or Reps
of common interests
Strict debate rules; limited
House Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi (D) California
House Committees
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Committee System: Where the Majority of Work is Completed
Testimony from, experts witnesses
Committee Hearings:
Law-Making Process or Legal Investigations
Testimony from experts or witnesses