U.S. Congress and Legislation

Congress (Overview)

Bicameral legislature: House (population) + Senate (equal). Balances small vs large states.

Committee Types

Standing (permanent), Select (temporary), Joint (House+Senate), Conference (resolves bill differences).

Committee Functions

Draft, revise, and research legislation; oversight of executive agencies.

Committee Referral

Bills sent to relevant committee based on topic; controls progress of bills.

“Bidding for Committee Assignment”

Members request committees aligning with district needs or expertise. Ex: Agriculture committee for rural states.

Casework

Direct help to constituents with government issues (Social Security, benefits, etc.). Builds trust and reelection support.

Cloture

Senate rule to end debate/filibuster. Requires 60 votes.

Filibuster

Tactic to delay or block votes through extended debate. Only in Senate.

Agenda Control

Majority party leaders and Rules Committee decide which bills reach the floor.

Party Leadership (House)

Speaker of the House → Majority/Minority Leaders → Whips (vote counters/enforcers).

Party Leadership (Senate)

Majority/Minority Leaders lead debate; Whips organize votes; VP presides but rarely votes.

Open Rule

House rule allowing any floor amendments during debate.

Closed Rule

Limits or prohibits amendments. Used by majority party to speed passage.

Restricted Rule

Allows only specific pre-approved amendments.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Funding for local projects to benefit a member’s district. Ex: new bridge, highway, or park.

Earmarks

Specific spending provisions in bills directing funds to particular projects or districts.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

Senate procedure to set debate terms; speeds passage if no senator objects.

Logrolling

“You vote for mine, I’ll vote for yours.” Trading support among legislators.

Omnibus Legislation

Combines multiple bills into one large package to ensure passage.

Two-Stage Electoral System

Primaries choose party nominees; general elections decide officeholders.

Constituency Types (Fenno)

Geographic (district), Reelection (supporters), Primary (party loyalists), Personal (advisers).

Divided vs. Unified Government

Divided: different parties control presidency & Congress. Unified: same party controls both.

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts for political advantage. Cracking (split opposition) or packing (concentrate opposition).

Wesberry v. Sanders (1964)

“One person, one vote.” House districts must have equal populations.

Why Interest Groups Prevail

Organized, well-funded, and focused; majorities often diffuse or uninformed.

Congress Popularity

Congress as a whole unpopular (~20%), but individual members popular due to casework and local service.

How Committees Connect Members to Constituents

Members secure benefits, solve local issues, and communicate achievements.

Majority Party and Agenda Control

Majority decides Rules Committee, calendar, and floor schedule. Minority has limited say.

Senate Dilatory Tactics

Filibuster, holds, quorum calls, and motion to recommit.

Georgia Legislature vs. Congress

GA: part-time (40 days), smaller staff, plural executive influence. Congress: full-time, large staff, bicameral, national scope.