AP Gov - Congress

I. Congress as a Policy-Making Institution

Part of legislative branch

Congress is one of the four policy-making institutions, alongside:

1. President (Executive Branch).

2. Bureaucracy (Administrative Branch).

3. Courts (Judicial Branch).

- Key Responsibility: Voting on behalf of the people.

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II. Structure of Congress

- Article I of the Constitution establishes Congress as a bicameral legislature:

1. House of Representatives: Proportional representation based on population.

2. Senate: Equal representation with two senators per state.

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III. How Members Represent Their Votes

1. Representational View (Delegate Model): Members vote to please constituents.

2. Attitudinal View (Trustee Model): Members vote based on their personal beliefs.

3. Partisan View: Members vote along party lines to support their political party.

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IV. Congressional Elections

- Advantages of Incumbents:

1. Advertising: Regular communication with constituents through events, trips, and media.

2. Credit Claiming: Taking credit for legislative achievements like casework and pork-barrel projects.

3. Weak Opponents: Challengers often lack experience and funding.

4. Campaign Spending: PACs provide more funding to incumbents.

- Pork Barrel Spending: Federal funding for localized projects to benefit constituents.

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V. Leadership in Congress

1. House Leadership:

- Speaker of the House: Sets the legislative agenda, appoints committee members, and presides over House sessions.

- Majority Leader: Assists the Speaker and organizes the party’s legislative priorities.

- Whips: Ensure party discipline and gather votes.

2. Senate Leadership:

- Vice President: Constitutionally presides over the Senate and breaks ties.

- President Pro Tempore: Senior-most member of the majority party.

- Majority Leader: Most powerful senator, controls the legislative calendar, and represents the majority party.

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VI. Congressional Committees

1. Types of Committees:

- Standing Committees: Permanent; focus on specific policy areas (e.g., budget, foreign relations).

• House Rules Committee: A standing committee responsible for determining the rules and procedures for debating and voting on legislation in the House. It sets the terms for how bills are considered, including time limits for debate and amendments.

- Select Committees: Temporary; address special issues.

- Joint Committees: Members from both chambers; handle shared concerns.

- Conference Committees: Resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

2. Key Committees:

- House:

Appropriations (spending

Rules (debate terms)

Ways and Means (taxes/revenue).

- Senate:

Appropriations

Finance

Foreign Relations (treaties)

Judiciary (judicial appointments)

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VII. Lawmaking Process

1. Introduction: A bill is introduced in the House or Senate.

- Revenue bills must start in the House.

2. Committee Review: Assigned to committees for research, hearings, and revisions.

- Most bills die in committee.

3. Floor Debate:

- House: Debate controlled by the Rules Committee.

- Senate: Unlimited debate allowed (can lead to filibusters).

4. Voting: Simple majority required in both chambers.

5. Conference Committee: Reconciles differences in House and Senate versions of the bill.

6. Presidential Action:

- Sign into law.

- Veto (can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both chambers).

- Pocket veto (letting the bill die by not signing it during a congressional recess).

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VIII. Court Cases on Congressional Representation

1. Baker v. Carr (1962): Established the principle of "one person, one vote" in districting.

2. Shaw v. Reno (1993): Prohibited racial gerrymandering.

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IX. Influences on Congressional Decision-Making

1. Presidents: Lobby Congress, propose legislation, and influence public opinion.

2. Constituents: Members act to reflect voters’ interests.

3. Interest Groups: Provide expertise, funding, and lobbying efforts.

4. Party Leaders: Encourage loyalty and party-line voting.

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X. Key Concepts and Terms

1. Constituents: Citizens represented by members of Congress.

2. Casework: Assistance provided by members of Congress to help constituents resolve issues.

3. Legislative Oversight: Congress monitors the executive branch and bureaucracy.

4. Filibuster: Senate tactic to delay a vote by extending debate.

5. Cloture: Vote to end a filibuster (requires 3/5 of the Senate).

6. Incumbent: Current officeholder, often re-elected due to structural advantages.

7. Gerrymandering: Drawing district boundaries to favor one party.

8. Majority Leader: Leads the majority party in either chamber.

9. Whips: Manage party discipline and gather votes.

10. Conference Committee: Resolves differences between House and Senate bill versions.

11. Pork Barrel: Federal funds allocated for local projects.