Gridlock in Congress- Causes and Solutions

Demographics [George]

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Greater development, by courts, of common law [Jonathan]

Courts can make common law decisions in absence of laws. This is what the government of England looked like before 1341.

Gerrymandering [Amelia]

When the boundaries of a state or electoral college is manipulated in favor of one party or another. For example, the re-drawing of district lines to secure votes for the Democratic party. (Arizona v. AIRDC)

Money in Political Parties [Kate]

- Buckley v Valeo: you can't limit individual campaign donations - Citizens United v FEC: you can't limit organization campaign donations - finance, insurance, and real estate owns 57 Senate members; lawyers and lobbyists own 25, and only 3 are not controlled by donations

Continous Campaigning in DC [Jonathan]

Congress is sometimes referred to as the Tuesday to Thursday Club because the rest of the week they are home attempting to get the votes for the next election. Reduces the time you have with other types of American people. In 2007, Congress was in session 103 days out of the year, and home the rest of the year campaigning. Currently, Congress meets 132 days.

Partisan Media [Piper]

Most people choose the media that broadcasts the news that they want to hear. This cognitive bias can lead people to never look to the other side of an argument, leading to more partisan behavior. A solution to this would to bring back the Fairness Doctrine of 1949, in which broadcasters were forced to present controversial issues in and equitable and balanced way.

Closed Primaries [Lea]

Primary Elections: This is how the political parties pick their best candidate to run for office. Primaries: They hold mini elections in each state and the person with the most votes wins. Caucuses: Public Voting all day Closed Primaries: If you are not in a political party cannot not vote in the primary election. Semi-Closed Primaries: For semi-closed independents can votes but only in one primary

Hastert Rule [Amelia]

Rule that no House Speaker shall bring a piece of legislation to the floor without the support of the majority of the majority party in the House.

Greater use of Executive Orders [Amelia]

The legislature is less relied on and therefore the single executive can make quicker decisions. However, it dimities the idea of representative government.

Political independence of the President from Congress [Jonathan]

Without laws coming from congress, President have to use his A2 S1 and S2 powers to pass orders. He could also use his prerogative power to make legislation.