Final Exam
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What is Congress Institutionally?
Law-making body of national government -Bicameral
Congress Established by
Article 1 of Constitution
Electing Congress
Elections occur every 2 years - House up for reelection because term is only 2 years - 1/3 of Senate up for reelection
Incumbency Advantage
Once congresspersons reach office, probability of being reelected is high. - Visibility (name recognition, media attention) - Money (more money = higher chance of winning) - Casework (people’s connection to government, always respond) - Structure ( Committees -“I did this”)
Redistricting
House districts (typically) redrawn every 10 years to prevent malapportionment
Gerrymandering
Creative drawing of district boundaries Benefits one party over another
Gerrymandering and what the courts say
Malapportionment is not allowed Gerrymandering that favors one party over another is allowed Gerrymandering aimed at disadvantaging minority groups can be overturned
Functions of Congress
Representation Policy Oversight
Representation
Different types of representation - Substantive - Policy (delegates vs trustees) - Party control - Casework - Pork-barreling (politicians using government funds for district or local projects) 119th Congress (Jan. 2025-Jan 2027) - Senate - 53 Republicans - 45 Democrats - 2 Independents (Caucus with Democrats) - House - 214 Democrats - 219 Republicans (50.6%) - 2 Vacant - 0 Independents
Descriptive Representation
Representation as similarity Important: understanding Congress is not representative of the general public
Legislative Process for Bill to become law
R controls pres/house/senate: unified control 1. Bill introduction: Congress must sponsor the bill 2. Bill assigned to Committee by Speaker of the House - Hearings, debates, amendments ect. - Most bills due iin committee (+aided) - Committee chairs always ruling party 2.1 Rules Committee - Only in Hor - Can invite/debate or prohibit amendments
President constitutional powers
Formal powers in Constitution - Spends most time on Congress Article 2 discusses presidency
Evolution of Presidential Powers
• Formal powers change very little over time • Perceptions/beliefs about presidency have changed • what other branches have allowed • Whig -> stewardship • Restricted/Whig Theory: Presidents power is limited to powers expressly given by constitution • Stewardship Theory: more expansive, Presidents has power to take actions necessary to national interest • “can do” vs “cannot do” • causes pres power to grow over time
Presidential Role in Domestic Affairs
Appointment power Head of executive branch - Senate approves president appointments, House has no role Executive orders (Inherit powers) Budget Early presidents didn’t issue many executive orders
Federal Budget Process
• Federal agencies submit budgets to review • President takes requests from executive and submits budget to congress • House review, vote, etc
Domestic Powers: Chief Legislator
Agenda setting (state of the union, budget, etc) - sets priorities of what needs gov attention President shall have state of the union “from time to time” doesn’t have to be a speech or televised, gets public attention Name designated survivor at state of the union, set agenda Signing statements and vetoing - Very hard to overturn president veto - President can threaten a veto to change a bill Call Congress into Session
Domestic Power: Judicial power
Pardons and commutations (federal crime only and cannot be undone) - Executive forgiveness of a federal crime sentence and record of crime - Commutation delays or reduces the sentence Appointments - Federal justices, solicitor general (gov lawyer) - Must be confirmed by the senate
Domestic Powers: Party leader
Informal role Campaign for party members Sets party agenda fundraises - Trump always being asked about immigration
President Role in Foreign Affairs
Head of state (ceremonial role) Initiate treaties and appoint ambassadors w/ advice/consent from senate - Treaty requires 2/3 Congressional support Executive Agreements: Between administration and another country Commander in Chief - Constitution names President as commander of armed forces - President can respond to crisis - Congress must declare war (5 times in history) War Powers Resolution - President must report to Congress within 48 hours after ordering forces into hostilities - Military action must stop within 60 days if - War is not declared - Use of force is not authorized or is not extended for another 60 days by Congress
Congressional Conflict
Sources: - Checks and Balances - Differing constituencies or terms - Thinking for different levels of people at different times - Frequently, different parties - The President is one voice for the people of America as a whole and therefore may get more attention than representatives or senators
President Working with Congress (Electoral mandate, Going public)
Electoral mandate - Endorsement by voters - Voters choose the president, so Congress should follow suit - Mandate Party strength Going public - Televised Adresses - Remarks to reporters - Public Appearances - Presidential Approval - Lobbying/Persuading Congress - Determinants: - Recurring cycle -> Honeymoon, Midterm slump, pre-election upswing - Economy - Rally Events (short term) - Hostages/War - Foreign Policy Successes/Failures - Scandals
Impeachment
Removal from office - Treason, Bribery, other “ High Crimes and Misdemeanors” Process - House: Impeachment - Senate: Trial
Vice President
Role of VP - Break ties as Senate President - Announces results of the Electoral College - Replaces the president if they cannot continue (death/impeachment) - Acting President when President is unconscious
Order of Succession
• President • VP • Speaker of the House • Etc