Topic 2.2 Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress AP Government

Structure, Power, and Function of Congress

Overview

• The video discusses the structure, power, and functions of Congress, divided into three main sections: the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the combined functions of both.

The Senate

Non-Legislative Roles

• Confirmation Power: Senate confirms presidential nominations for federal judges, cabinet secretaries, and heads of executive agencies.

• Ratification of Treaties: Senate can ratify or refuse treaties that the President negotiates.

Leadership

• President of the Senate: The Vice President acts as the President of the Senate, primarily holds a tie-breaking vote only in case of a 50-50 situation.

• Senate Majority Leader: The most influential leader within the Senate from the majority party.

Floor Debate Characteristics

• The Senate has fewer rules than the House, allowing more individual influence on legislation.

• Filibusters: Extended speeches to delay or prevent a vote on a bill; only allowed in the Senate.

• Holds: Requests to delay discussions on bills, effectively holding them back from voting.

• Cloture Motion: Requires a three-fifths (60) vote to end filibusters or holds, empowering minority parties to influence legislation if they stick together.

• Riders: Senators can attach non-germane (irrelevant) amendments to bills, enabling off-topic discussions as part of legislative tactics.

• Unanimous Consent Agreements: Allow for expedited legislative processes by waiving normal Senate rules.

The House of Representatives

Leadership Structure

• The House relies heavily on leadership roles due to the inability of individual members to perform actions like filibusters.

• Speaker of the House: The most powerful individual in Congress, managing debates, scheduling votes, and advancing party legislation.

Legislative Process

• All bills must pass through the House Rules Committee, which sets the rules and time limits for debate, also enforcing a germane requirement.

• Strict Time Limits: Limit speeches to ensure efficient debate without the possibility of a filibuster.

• Discharge Petition: A mechanism for bringing a bill stuck in committee to the House floor if a majority agrees.

Committee Types

• Standing Committees: Permanent committees that evaluate, amend, and revise bills; most bills do not make it out of these committees.

• Conference Committees: Formed from both chambers to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate.

The Power of the Purse

Budgeting Authority

• Congress controls federal funding through the federal budget, with two spending types:

  • Discretionary Spending: Annual spending decided by Congress; includes defense and education.

  • Mandatory Spending: Obligations of Congress defined by law, covering entitlement programs and national debt interest, accounting for about 70% of the total federal budget.

Impact on Congressional Authority

• As mandatory spending grows, discretionary spending decreases, limiting Congress's fiscal power and options for funding.

Additional Concepts

• Pork Barrel Spending: Legislation that provides direct benefits to a specific congressional district, aiding representatives' reelection prospects.

• Log Rolling: Vote trading among representatives; one representative agrees to support another's district projects in exchange for support on their own.

Conclusion

• These elements highlight the varying structures and powers within Congress, as well as their effects on the legislative process and federal budgeting.