Lecture Notes on the US Congress

Overview of the US Capitol Building

• The Capitol houses the US Congress, which is a bicameral legislature.
  • Two chambers: Senate (right wing) and House of Representatives (left wing).

Bicameral Legislature Origins

• Compromise during the drafting of the Constitution.
  • Small States: Concerned about larger states having more delegates.
  • Large States: Opposed equal representation in Congress.
  • Compromise:
    • Senate: Each state has two senators.
    • House of Representatives: Representation based on population.

Historical Concerns and Reality

• Initial fears: Division between large and small states.
• Reality: Division typically arises from political party affiliations.

Role of Political Parties

• Political parties emerged shortly after the Constitution.
• They play a significant role in congressional leadership and law-making.

Congressional Leadership

House of Representatives

• Speaker of the House
  • Elected by the majority party.
  • Controls debates and legislative agenda.
  • Works with the House Majority Leader and House Majority Whip.

Senate

• Senate Majority Leader
  • Works with the majority party to manage bills.
  • Assisted by the Senate Majority Whip.
  • Senate debate differs due to the potential for filibuster.
  • Cloture: Requires a three-fifths majority to end a filibuster.

Standing Committees

• Work done through standing committees (e.g., agriculture, finance).
• Committees led by majority party members.
• House has 20 and Senate has 16 standing committees.

Congressional Partisanship and Polarization

• Increased partisanship; members vote along party lines.
• Historical example: 1965 Medicaid Bill shows past factionalism.
  • Different regional factions within parties.

Changes Over Time

• Civil Rights Act of 1964 catalyzed shifts in party ideologies.
• Current trend: Distinct liberal (Democrats) versus conservative (Republicans) ideologies.

Impacts on Legislation

• Increased difficulty in reaching compromises.
• Examples:
  • 2009 Economic Stimulus Bill: Passed with strategic negotiations.
  • 2018 Immigration Bill: Failed due to partisanship.

Congress's Legislative Role

• Congress is less effective on broad national policies; the President often leads.
• Exception: Congress excels in handling narrower issues through its committee system.

Conclusion

• Political Party Structure: Fundamental to congressional organization and function.
• Partisan Gridlock: A significant barrier to legislation.
• Committee System: Enables Congress to address many issues simultaneously.