Political Science 1100, Introduction to American Politics, March 11, 2015
Current events
Congress
Prologue:
Congress is very unpopular -
But almost all the incumbents will be reelected this November!
Why doesn't Congress work better?
Let's look at it from two points of view
- From a Member's point of view
- From the Institution's point of view
Congress from a Member's Point of View
1.The Job
2.
Getting the Job
3. Why do Incumbents win?
A. Because they act in a way that helps them win
1)
Claiming credit
2)
Providing Services
3) Taking Popular Positions
B. Because the organization of Congress helps incumbents
C.
Because incumbency helps them raise money and build a warchest
- Early Fundraising Discourages Good Opponents
D. How do Incumbents lose?
- Changed Constituencies
- Misconduct
-
Mid-term Election waves against incumbents
Congress: From the Institution's Point of View
Congressional
Leaders, 114th Congress
|
|
Majority |
Minority |
|
House of
Representatives |
Speaker: John Boehner (Ohio) Majority
Leader: |
Minority Leader: |
|
|
|
|
3. Committees And Subcommittees
a) Most of Congress's work is divided up and given to
Committees And
Subcommittees
b) Committees And Subcommittees therefore
are Central to The Law-Making Process
c) Standing Committees
d) Other Committees
e) Committees And Subcommittees Decentralize Congress
often make cooperation very difficult because they
resist control
4. Rules
a) Rules Make It Easy To Obstruct The Law-Making Process
Examples: Senate Filibusters
b) Rules That Overcome Congressional Obstacles Are Hard To Use
Examples: Cloture
5. Conclusions About Congress
A. Policy-Making Biases
1) Parochialism
2) Incrementalism
3) Driven by Crisis
B. Bad People, or Normal People In A Peculiar
Institution?
We Distrust Congress, But We Tend To Like Our Individual Representatives
D. These biases can be overcome --
with Leadership And Public Support