Congress vs. Parliament

Definitions and Origins

• Congress: Derived from Latin meaning "a coming together," a meeting of representatives from various places.
• Parliament: Comes from French word, "parler," meaning "to talk."

Key Differences

• Membership Selection:
  • Parliament: Members selected by political party support. Voters choose between parties rather than individuals.
  • Congress: Members run in primary elections independent of party control.
• Lawmaking Process:
  • Parliament: Members decide whether to support the government. The government is formed by the party with the most seats.
  • Congress: Members vote independently on laws without affecting government stability.

Powers and Responsibilities

• Parliament: Government stability depends on parliamentary vote. Party leaders exert strong influence to ensure voting unity.
• Congress: Members have independent powers. They can diverge from party lines without threat of losing nomination.

Compensation and Resources

• Parliament: Modest salary, small staff, limited allowances.
• Congress: High salary, generous benefits, large staff, and additional resources.

Structural Organization

• Congress: More decentralized due to independent constituency representation.
• Parliament: Centralized with strong party discipline.

Implications

• Congress: Focuses on individual member interests and voters, resulting in a decentralized institution.
• Parliament: Focuses on party interests, resulting in centralized decision-making.

Historical Context and Evolution

Formation of Congress

• Created to prevent concentration of power and protect state interests.
• Bicameral structure: House of Representatives (popularly elected) and Senate (originally state legislatures elected).
• Powers divided among Congress, President, and Supreme Court.

Congressional Changes Over Time

• Decentralization: Congress shifted towards individual member power over centralized leadership.
• State Legislatures: Some strong state legislative leaders derive power from party strength and committee control.

House vs. Senate

• House of Representatives: Large, often changes organization and leadership.
• Senate: Smaller, runs without central authority, historically balanced representation.

Membership and Demographics

Diversity

• Increase in women, African Americans, Latinos.
• Majority-minority districts increase representation for racial/ethnic minorities but may affect overall policy influence.

Incumbency and Stability

• Traditionally high reelection rates for incumbents.
• Resources, name recognition, and constituency services contribute to incumbent advantage.

Political Shifts

• 19th Century: Non-career politicians, less competitive districts.
• 20th Century: Congress as a career, significant incumbent advantage.

Party Dynamics and Polarization

Party Control and Competition

• Long periods of Democratic control, recent increased competitiveness.
• Factors include ideological alignment and gerrymandering.

Representation Theories

• Representational: Members vote to please constituents.
• Organizational: Members follow party cues when constituent opinions aren't strong.
• Attitudinal: Members' personal ideologies guide voting.

Polarization

• Increasing ideological division among Congress members.
• Activists and politically engaged citizens push for more extreme positions.

Congressional Organization

Party Structure

• Senate: Majority and minority leaders, whips, policy committees.
• House: Speaker of the House, majority/minority leaders, whips, steering and policy committees.

Committees

• Standing Committees: Permanent, specific legislative responsibilities.
• Select Committees: Temporary, limited purpose.
• Joint Committees: Members from both houses.
• Conference Committees: Resolve differences in legislation.
• Committee Chair Selection: Based on loyalty, seniority, and party decisions.

Staffs and Agencies

• Staff members perform a variety of roles including constituent service and policy development.
• Specialized agencies provide nonpartisan information and analysis, e.g., CRS, GAO, CBO.