Lecture on Congress - Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Congress
1. House of Representatives
Structure
The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of Congress, the other being the Senate.
It is larger and consists of 435 members, with representation based on population of each state.
Requirements to be a Representative
Must be at least 25 years old.
Must have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years.
Must be a resident of the state which he or she is elected to represent.
Election Process
Representatives are elected directly by the people of the respective districts every two years.
All 435 seats are up for election every two years, which emphasizes the accountability of representatives to their constituents.
Unique Traits (Table 4.2)
The House has the power to initiate revenue bills.
It also has the sole power to impeach federal officials, including the President.
Members serve two-year terms, which means all members can be replaced every election cycle.
Spending
The House plays a crucial role in federal spending, budgetary processes, and appropriations.
It must originate all bills for raising revenue (taxation).
Impeachment
The process of impeachment starts in the House.
A simple majority vote is required to impeach an official, after which the Senate holds the trial.
Speaker of the House Role
The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and is elected by the majority party.
The Speaker has significant influence over the legislative agenda and manages House proceedings.
Majority/Minority Leader Roles
The Majority Leader assists the Speaker in managing the House and is the main spokesperson for the majority party.
The Minority Leader leads the opposition and is responsible for mobilizing opposition votes.
Whip Role
Whips are responsible for party discipline, ensuring members vote according to party lines, and counting votes before a vote is taken.
2. Senate
Structure
The Senate consists of 100 members, with each state represented by two senators regardless of population.
Requirements to be a Senator
Must be at least 30 years old.
Must have been a citizen of the United States for at least nine years.
Must be a resident of the state which he or she is elected to represent.
Election Process
Senators are elected by the people of their respective states, initially chosen by state legislatures before the 17th Amendment changed this to popular election.
Unique Traits (Table 4.2)
Each Senator serves a six-year term with staggered elections, meaning one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years.
The Senate confirms presidential appointments and treaties, providing a check on executive power.
Filibuster
A filibuster is a tactic used by senators to delay or obstruct legislative action by extended debate.
Cloture
Cloture is the procedure for ending a filibuster, requiring a three-fifths (currently 60 out of 100) vote in favor to limit debate and move to a vote on the issue at hand.
Presidential Appointment Approval
The Senate has the authority to approve or reject presidential appointments to the federal judiciary and executive branch.
Majority Leader Role
The Majority Leader in the Senate is the chief spokesperson for the majority party and directs the legislative agenda.
3. Committee Role
Committees play a critical role in the legislative process, where much of the detailed work of reviewing and revising proposed legislation occurs.
There are various types of committees: standing, select, joint, and conference committees, each with specific functions and responsibilities.
4. Duties of Congress
Enumerated Powers
These are specifically listed powers granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, including the power to tax, borrow money, regulate commerce, declare war, and raise and support armies.
Implied Powers
These powers are not explicitly stated but are implied through the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) of the Constitution, allowing Congress to pass laws deemed necessary to execute its enumerated powers.