Transcript Document

Prof. Bruno Pierri
Lingua Inglese
The Congress of the United States
December 10th, 2009
The Congress of the United States
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Historical Roots: US Constitution, Article I, Section 1: All
legislative powers vested in a Congress, consisting of
Senate and House of Representatives
Section 2: HR composed of Members chosen every two
years by electors in each State (now 435 Members)
Eligiblity to HR is 25 years of age, 7 years as citizen of the
US and resident, when elected, in the State represented.
Each State elects a number of Representatives according
to population living in its territory (not only residents)
Section 3: Senate composed of two Senators from each
State (now 100 members), chosen by the Legislature for six
years
XVII Amendment 1913: Senators elected by people
One third of Senate elected every two years
Eligiblity to Sen. is 30 years of age, 9 years as citizen of the
US and resident, when elected, in the State represented
Powers of Congress
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Congress may exercise only those powers
granted by Constitution
Implied Powers: Powers inferred from general
language in founding document
Lay and collect taxes
Borrow money
Defence and welfare of the US
Declare war
Raise ans support armed forces
Regulate foreign commerce
Control immigration…
Police power vested in State and local Govt,
but FBI is federal police
Taxation without Representation
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Washington D.C.:
Federal Capital, not a State
Local and federal taxes
Three electoral votes in presidential
elections
No congressional representation, apart
from delegates with role of observers only
Single-member Districts
All members of HR elected in single-member
districts
 Number of districts in each State depends
on its population
 In Senate two people represent a State, but
their election is separate. States are singlemember districts because one candidate
wins a seat in each election
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Two Senators per State
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Equal representation in Senate and
proportional representation in HR
Larger States wanted Congress in
proportion to State population
Smaller States thought this plan would
jeopardise their interests
Compromise
Membership in Lower House in proportion
to State population
Membership in Upper House: two seats to
each State
Length of Senate Term
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Some delegates wanted strong independent
Senate
Some feared tyranny of aristocratic Upper House
Some wanted lifelong term
Compromise: Six-year-term gives Senators more
authority to ignore mass sentiment in favour of
country's broad interests
Senators elected by State legislatures
(superseded by XVII Amendment) because framers
wanted to keep Upper House away from emotions
of masses
Senate Powers and Procedures
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B)
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Impeachment
HR has power to impeach a Govt official,
serving as prosecutor
Senate has power to conduct impeachment
trials, serving as judge and jury
Nominations: President nominates Justices,
Ambassadors and other public Ministers and
Consuls with advice and consent of the
Senate
Treaties: Senate has power to approve,
change, or amend, by a two-thirds vote,
treaties made by Executive
Filibuster and Cloture
Delaying debate or blocking legislation is
called filibuster
 Senators have two freedoms no other
legislator worldwide possesses:
A) Unlimited debate
B) Unlimited opportunity to offer amendments
 In 1917 Senate adopted Cloture to end
filibuster. Cloture cannot be voted until two
days after it is proposed in a petition
signed by 16 Senators. It requires a threefifths vote
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Senate Offices
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Vice President officially serves as presiding officer of
Senate, but rarely performs this role
President pro tempore serves as presiding officer on a
day-to-day basis
Majority Leader is most powerful figure in Senate
Floor Leaders: Majority and Minority Leader, elected by
members of their party at beginning of each Congress,
serving as spokespersons for their party. Majority
Leader sets legislative programme and offers motions or
amendments before any other Senator
Majority and Minority Whips: The word comes from foxhunting and refers to person responsible for keeping
dogs from straying from team. Responsible for counting
heads and rounding up members for votes. Responsible
for closely watching party members to determine how
they vote and if they attend vote procedures
House of Representatives Offices
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Speaker of the House: Third Office of the Union, most
important position in HR, controlling schedule for
House business, recognizing members during debate.
Spokesperson for Majority Party
Speaker is head of majority party, but usually does not
participate in debate and rarely votes
Speaker responsible for House to pass legislation
supported by majority party
Majority Leader/Majority Whip. ML controls party’s
efforts on the floor and is second-highest ranking
person of majority party. MW responsible for watching
party members to determine how they vote
Minority Leader/Minority Whip: they perform the same
job for minority party