USPS Exam #2
Presidential Approval Rating
Trump lowest among president's from Eisenhower era on in popularity when they take office. Presidential approval falls with opposition party over time, reflecting both the willingness to work more with the President when he is first elected but also the partisanship in politics. Gaining less with own party; losing more with other party.
What Has Congress Done?
-Congress voted in Sept 2014 to authorize Obama to arm Syrian opposition groups. They have not voted for an AUMF for airstrikes or combat troops on the ground. -Through 2016, 2,392 US troops killed Afghanistan; 4,516 through 2017 in Iraq.
Constituent-Member Relationship
Richard Fenno: Members have 3 goals; 1. *Making good public policy* 2. *Serving constituents* 3. *Gaining power in the institution (party caucus, committee system).* Interactions with the district serve to build trust with the member so he can make decisions in the interest of constituency and take tough votes.
Are parties the glue that make the system work?
Founders viewed parties as factions that bad for democracy; nonetheless, parties emerge in first Congress. Rely on Parties and their leaders to get members of Congress to pass budgets and avoid government shutdown. Rely on parties and their leaders to pass unpopular but needed policies such as the budget. ---TARP to bail out banks; House 262-171 with 171 D in favor, 91 R's in favor. Senate 74-25 with 40 D, 34 R. Diverse coalition of support.
Is the US a delegate model?
Frequent elections from geogrpahic districts encourages members to act as delegates for districts interests. Because legislators are concerned about re-election, they need to advocate for the people; there is an investment in representing constituents' political opinion, economic interests. At times, local interests are subvert national interests; those who pursue policy that helps farming (because one represents an agricultural area) may harm the health of the nation.
Expansion of Executive Authority
From 9/11 Authorization of Use of Force has come expansion of executive authority to combat terrorism. Includes: Create system of military tribunals Guantanamo Bay for terrorist suspects Enhanced interrogation techniques Expansion electronic surveillance without warrants of suspected terrorists (Patriot Act and reauthorization and FISA court) Drones for targeted killings Strikes against terrorists in Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Libya Air Strikes against ISIS
Special Lobbyists and Ads
If a Congressman votes for a policy that is antithetical to the desires of a special interest group, they will run ads that hurt the chances of incumbancy for said Congressman. Sway public.
Money and Access
If you're a local constituent, you will either have no access to Congressional officials or just with district staff/district director. However, the more money you give, the more access you have to the higher up officials. More money = more access, more money does not equal change on voting for policies. Those who donated to a campaign had a 4.7% chance of meeting with Chief of Staff where as those who are just local constituents have no chance. Furthermore, those who donated had a 7.8% chance of meeting with member of Congress while local constituents have a 2.4% chance.
Richest in Congress
*Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif* $436.5 million Founded Directed Electronics, a car alarm maker (Viper System).
Women in Congress
*104 Women* (83 in House, 21 in Senate). Women half the population of country, way less than 1/2 in Congress. Why? ---Incumbancy-hard to dislodge male incumbents who have been active in politics longer than women. ---They don't run in the numbers they could/should. ---Political system biased against women?
Afghanistan and Iraq
*Authorization for Use of Military Force*: Afghanistan authority resolution passed days after 9/11 gives the President the authority to use all necessary and appropriate forces against those whom he deems *"planned, authorized, committed or aided" the 9/11 attacks, or who harbored said persons or groups.* *Pre-Emptive Doctrine*: New doctrine that US can act pre-emotively against perceived threat=Hussein and potential WMD. Congress gave broad authority did not require him to get UN approval or come back to Congress after failing at UN. Did not require sharing costs with allies.
How do legislators cement ties with District?
*District work period* (Thurs-Mon in district and recesses). *Meeting with Constituents*: Town Halls, Radio, TV, Parades *Social Media and Websites* *Constituent Service, Grants and Earmarks (specific amendment Congressman puts into a bill that benefits their own district)*
Types of Interest Groups
*Economic*: Most Common= collection of people with common interests and concerns that advocate for economic benefit for the members of the group. Trade Associations, Labor Unions, Business Groups; ex: Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, American Association of Manufacturers, American Association of Realtors, American Medical Association. *Citizen Activist*: Public Interest, Single Issue, and Ideological Groups; ex: Public Citizen (Consumer Advocacy), Sunlight Foundation (transparency in government), Committee for a Responsible Budget, ACLU, National Right to Life, Club for Growth. *Government-Related*: National Governors Association, US Conference of Mayors, lobbies for cities, states, or foreign governments
Senate Obstructions
*Holds*: A threat to filibuster by an individual. Reasons for holds range from informational purposes, effort to force negotiation or action, or retaliation. *Filibusters*: Block action on the floor. Longest filibuster: Strom Thurmond (Civil Rights Bill in 1957: 24 Hours+). Senate Rules changes made filibustering less costly and therefore a more attractive tool for the minority. Don't need to hold the floor and talk endlessly anymore. 1970s adopt tracking which lets Senate business proceed on other issues when filibuster something. *Polarization makes Senators more willing to use procedural prerogatives to obstruct*. Minority likes to require 60 votes to make it harder for the majority to win. Majority wants cloture votes to gauge support and force movement on legislation. With cloture there is a limit on debate time (30 hours) and all amendments must be germane to the bill
Why Follow the Party?
*Party Cartel Theory* Members want to attain majority party status. In order to get the benefits of the majority (power over favorable legislation, agenda control, access to committee leadership) they must build a good 'party brand' and promote the party message. . Parties are perceived as owning particular issues and they try to frame debates to favor their party image. *Conditional Party Government Theory* Amount of power rank and file give to party leadership depends on three factors. *1. Ideological homogeneity in the party caucus.* *2. Increasing distance between two caucuses.* *3. Tightness of electoral competition.* But in today's highly sorted Congress with more safe partisan seats, members fear a primary challenge on ideological purity more than the general election candidate.
Are interest groups greedy special interests or glue of democracy transmitting interests of citizens and playing a watchdog role over government?
*Pluralist Theory*: Can't stop factions so we must control their effects by having a large republic. Will be too many different interests for them to effectively combine and subvert the public good. No one interest can always dominate; allow factions to talk as much as possible so they can compete with each other so that no one interest groups gets too powerful. *Factions check other factions so no one group can emerge.* Gives voice to more interests in a 2 party system. Political process balances competing interests; demands create counterdemands (think abortion). Madison in Federalist 10 and Robert Dahl Who Governs? *Elitist Theory*: Groups with more power and resources have easier time organizing biases in public policy in favor of those groups. The elites of lobbying; those groups that have more power will outweigh the desires of the people. E.E. Schattschneider The Semi-Soveiregn People; we're supposed to be a soveriegn people where we are all equal, but because certain factions have more resources, they are allowed to have more power in Congress; hence, some interests such as those of large industrial corporations, seemed to be vastly overrepresented while those of migrant laborers and the unemployed were not represented at all.
Who Decides?
*VIEWPOINT*: President should because he has advantage as Commander in Chief. Can take quick action and has resources for foreign policy (such as daily national security briefings) and military intellectuals advising him in State Dept, Pentagon, CIA, NSC. *VIEWPOINT*: Congress can make a more cerebral decision because there are more members. Plus they control the money. House and Senate have Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, and Appropriations Subcommittees with responsibilities in these areas.
Is the WPR Effective?
*VIEWPOINT*: Presidents do consult with Congress and keep them informed and those who favor say it forces Presidents to consider opinion outside of the administration and anticipate Congressional reaction. *VIEWPOINT*: Not effective once President decides to commit troops. Congress has given broad resolutions of authority to presidents and does not want to be perceived as not supporting troops.
Divided Government
*When presidency and one or both branches of Congress are controlled by opposing parties.* Before WWII divided government was rare, 1920-1946 only one instance when Ds won the House in 1930 and Hoover (R) is President.
The Fall of Speaker Boehner in House where Majority Rules
-House Favors Majority Rule: Leadership Controls The Floor Deciding Which Bills are Debated, For How Long, and What Amendments to Allow -Majority Can Pass Bills More Aligned with their Views= Conservative for Republican Majority -Speaker John Boehner's Goal to Pass Policy with a Majority of the Majority (=Not Rely on Democrats). -Series of Must Pass Budget Bills Since 2010 to keep government running, raise debt ceiling had to rely on Democrats to reach majority. -Freedom Caucus pushes Boehner out and Paul Ryan becomes Speaker
Lobbying and Guns
-In a Gallup pole, 55% of people wanted stricter guns laws and 34% wanted to keep it the same. 10% was less strict gun laws. -With the "no fly, no buy" 91% of Dems and 85% of Repubs were in support but wasn't even called to a vote which shows that Congress isn't listening to the people but rather the lobbyists. -Those who want less strict have always been less than 15% of the population but that is the entire Republican Party platform. Congress isn't matching what the people want because of these interest groups. These powerful interest groups have the ability to become very organized machines to lobby on these specific issues that the majority of average Americans don't have the resources or time to work on; a minority of citizens have greater influence than the majority because they are more active in shaping policy + more resources to dedicate to lobbying. -Sit-in on the Congress floor; all this effort to make stricter gun laws but couldn't even get a vote on having those on the Terrorist Watch List not get guns because Paul Ryan wouldn't call it to a vote because he was backed by the NRA. -Actually rolled back gun control which only a very small minority wanted; Congressional Review Act used to kill an Obama era regulation to block from buying a gun mentally ill people who receive Social Security benefits and have been ruled incompetent to manage their financial affairs.
How is a law made?
-In theory, laws pass via majorities. -Only members may submit legislation to the House or Senate. Many proposals originate outside Congress but they must have a congressional sponsor to enter the legislative process. *Bill is drafted*. Most bills die of neglect. Many more bills are introduced than members have time to deal with. Some bills are introduced by request. *Introduced in both branches and referred to committees*. *If a subcommittee decides to act on a bill, it marks it up, and reports it to the full committee. The full committee then accepts, rejects or amends the bill.* If a bill cannot attract solid support from at least the majority party committee members, its chances on the House or Senate floor are slim indeed. But if amendments, compromises, and deals can build a strong committee coalition for a bill, tis chances on the floor are much better. Discharge petition: brings a bill directly to the floor without committee approval when signed by a majority of House members. *After the House committee marks the bill up and reports it out, it goes to the Rules Committee (where the Speaker has heavily influence) who determines which Bills go on the floor to be debated, how long debates can be for and types of amendments that are made*. The Senate has no rules limiting debate or amendments. The leaders of both parties routinely negotiate unanimous consent agreements to arrange for the orderly consideration of legislation. *Debate on both House and Senate floor*. Filibusters (in Senate) lead to more gridlock; its being more commonly used in Congress now. Floor debates are for public consumption and propaganda. More important, formal floor debates serve to legitimize policy. *After debates in both chambers, a conference commitee reconciles the differences between the two bills that were agreed upon.* Members reported that, along with their own views, the opinions of constituents and the advice of knowledgeable and trusted colleagues had the strong influence on their decisions along with party leaders, presidents, interest groups. In Congress intense minorities often prevail over apathetic majorities. *Sent to President to either veto or pass law.*
What are President Trump's Tax and Spending Plans?
-Increase defense spending by $54 billion, eliminate defense sequester. Offset this with cuts to non-defense such as EPA and State Department -$1 trillion infrastructure spending over 10 years with public-private partnerships and private investment (create jobs). -Tax Cuts/ Reform -Repeal Obamacare -Deregulation -Renegotiate Trade Deals ***The Problems*** --*Long Term Population Changes*: Aging population increases the costs of entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicare); Rapidly increasing health care costs. --*Great Recession*: Housing bubble burst, banking crisis, freezing credit markets, business can't get loans, manufacturing and construction hardest hit and then impact other sectors and state governments who must balance their budgets --*Increase Government Spending/ Decrease Government Revenue from Taxes*: More demand government services: unemployment, food stamps, Medicaid; Declining tax revenue --*Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan post 9/11* which have cost a lot of money --*Creates higher deficits (annual shortfall between money spent and revenue collected) and debt (long term accumulation of deficits and interest must pay to finance the borrowing)*: FY 2016 Deficit: $587 billion; Current Debt $19.9 trillion.
What is lobbying and its role in the political process?
-People lobby to influence government decisions that affect their lives and welfare; banding together with others of like mind and asking a powerful friend to help out. -Appeals from citizens a groups for favorable policies and decisions. Professional lobbyists are specialized representatives who deal with legislatures and executive agencies. -Lobbying helps officials because they know there is interest from the public. -Interest groups send billions more every cycle on lobbying than they do on campaign contributions. -Many people feel that successful lobbying subverts the basic principles of democratic equality and majority rule because special interests win out over general interests.
What is the modern presidency's roles, powers and challenges?
-The modern presidency is itself the cumulative product of the changing place of Washington in national and world affairs. Legislation creating or revamping programs assigns president's statutory authority to oversee and even make changes in policy and administration that serve the program's mission. -Divided government- each side profits from the others' failures. Presidents rely more heavily on their constitutional and other unilateral resources. Vetoes and threats to veto, executive orders, centralized administration, and broad assertions of executive privilege to help himself. Moreover, presidents carefully screen department and agency appointments to ensure that administrators will remain responsive to them and resist the pull of an opposing Congress. *President as Commander in Chief and Head of State*: Despite only Congress being able to declare war, presidents often commit troops and engage in hostilities and then go to Congress for authority to continue. Congress's exclusive authority to declare war has become a hollow check on the president's commander-in-chief initiative. Single executive would enjoy an inherent advantage over Congress in conducting foreign policy. Broader authority to transact diplomatic affairs than on the domestic front. Still needs ⅔ Senate approval to ratify treaties. To sidestep treaty rejections, presidents sometimes negotiate executive agreements, which are exempt from Senate ratification. *The President as Chief Executive*: By delegating to the president and the appointed executive branch the discretion to decide how best to implement and adjust policy to achieve its objectives, Congress shares a substantial amount of its lawmaking powers with the president. Presidents send Congress The annual budget for all federal programs. Offers Presidents the opportunity to set the spending priorities of the federal government. *The President as Legislator*: May call Congress into special session, veto laws, state of the Union speeches. Signing state, use of veto, threat of veto. State of the Union address a televised opportunity for presidents to mold public opinion and steer the legislative agenda on Capitol Hill. In a variety of ways, modern presidents' ecentral role in administration ensures them a major role in the legislative process. About 90% of presidents' initiatives are considered by some congressional (sub)committee.
How Will President Trump Deal with the Crisis?
-Trump called on Pentagon to create a plan to defeat ISIS and indicates a willingness to put in more troops and to create an alliance with Russia who backs Assad. -Restricting refugees from Syria and 5 other majority Muslim countries, more than 4.8 million have fled the conflict. Under Obama, we were supposed to take 110,000 refugees but Trump wants to cap at 55,000.
ISIS and Foreign Policy
-US troops left Iraq in 2011, leaving a power vaccuum. Since then, Islamic State terrorists gain power. -2011: Syrian Civil War. 2013 evidence emerges Assad used chemical weapons on his people. Obama said chemical weapons is a red line and then decided against air strikes. -US brokered deal with Russia to get rid of chemical weapons. -Instability from civil war in Syria and sectarian violence in Iraq leads to ISIS gaining strength in Iraq and Syria. They take over Mosul (June 2014) and march toward Baghdad. -2014 Obama launched airstrikes in Iraq and then Syria and deployed special forces but no ground troops. (nearly 11,000 AS in Iraq, 7,000 in Syria). -More than 2 years that US is conducting air strikes in Iraq and Syria to degrade ISIS. Also arming Syrian opposition groups. ------Obama has done this but Congress did not authorize this (except for arming Syrian refugee groups). -------Public doesn't want to send more troop in. Obama has emphasized there wouldn't be troops on the ground. US forces are training, advising, and assisting. Sent more special operations forces. -Currently Iraq battling for control Mosul, in Syria fighting for Raqqa -This month Pentagon sent ground troops to help in fight to control Raqqa and try to keep allied Syrian Kurds and Turkey from fighting each other.
Six Basic Problems of Legislative Organization
1. *The need for information*-Congressmen need it to make votes and policy ecisions. They cannot know every realm of the US though, so division of labor and specialization are important (committees and subcommittees). By becoming specialists or drawing upon specialists for information, they are better informed to make decisions. 2. *Coordination Problems*-the greater the group's workload and division of labor makes coordination difficult. Party leaders help though. 3. *Resolving Conflicts*-Disagreements divide the parties. Rules and regulations such as all remarks being made to the speaker, to deflect conflict. Party leaders help also. 4. *Collective Action*-Individual gains may be bad for the party or Congress as a whole. Congress has developed individual incentives to work for collectively beneficial ends such as Congressional influence. 5. *Transaction costs*-The literal price of doing politics (time, effort, resources). Seniority rule reduces time and energy members would otherwise put into competing for these valued positions. 6. *Time Pressures*-Follow strict rules of procedure and tolerate greater control by leaders.
Obama Immigration Enforcement
11 Million undocumented; Obama prioritized convicted criminals (Trump already overturned that). DACA to protect from deportation and allow work permits to young people who brought here by parents; this is not up in the air. Although the executive is given strong agency in far of what they can and cannot do, their rules lack permanency. Wanted to expand the program to other groups, struck by courts as overstepping his authority.
Interest Group Expansion in U.S. (History)
1960s and 1970s proliferation of interest groups. The more the government was involved, the more that lobbying became popular. Also a result of social upheaval; groups often created to defend civil rights or at the behest of a congressman who realized the potential advantage of organized action outside the govt. Electoral Reforms and Changes in Nominating Process weaken parties; encourage groups to donate directly to candidates. New Deal and Great Society expands federal government programs and regulations. Groups arise to protect or combat these policies. Technological Change: Easier to create groups, conduct mass mailings, Internet. The invention of internet and copying machines because the transaction costs (time, actual money) of meeting with Congressman and govt is less. Sunshine Laws passed in 1970s; open government to public more. Can attend hearings, view floor proceedings, FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests. View the Congressman's financial dealings, see what the government is actually doing; people become hyperinvolved with the government.
Obama & Congress: What Have They Done So Far?
2009 Stimulus bill Budget Control Act of 2011 Obama and Republicans agreed to raise debt ceiling and cut $2.1 trillion over 10 years. Caps put on domestic and defense spending account for $917 billion in cuts. Supercommittee was supposed to find an additional $1.2-1.5 trillion. They failed triggering automatic spending cuts divided equally between defense and non-defense discretionary. The Sequester: Automatic spending cuts $1.2 trillion equally split between defense and non-defense discretionary. Originally until 2021, now 2025 because of latest budget deal that increases discretionary spending and lifts caps. 2013 16 day Government Shutdown over dispute on defunding Obamacare 2013 Increased taxes on families earning over $450,000 per year by allowing lower tax rates to expire and ended payroll tax holiday effects all taxpayers. Boehner's final deal: 2 yr increase in debt limit to March 2017. Raise the caps on discretionary spending equally for defense and domestic= $80 billion dollar increase over 2yrs Currently a Continuing Resolution for budget through April 2017.
War Power Resolution
After Vietnam, Congress passes WPR to reassert Congressional role; never fully enfornced and President's do not recognize it. *Report commitment of troops to Congress within 48 hours. Terminate use of forces within 60 days if Congress does not declare war, extend the period by law, or Congress is unable to meet. The President can extend this period to 90 days.*
When does the Federal Government grow most quickly and why?
After the Civil War, however, the federal government began expanding its activities and personnel and that trend, with a few exceptions, has continued to to the present day. Federal employment grew steadily but not very steeply from the 1870s until the New Deal period, when the rate of growth began to increase. WWII produced a dramatic surge in the size of the federal workforce that was only partially reversed afterward. In 1990, it underwent steady decline until the onset of the war on terrorism. *The establishment of some departments come as a political move the sway voters to vote one party because they are getting special attention by the govt.* *They also can arise because of the political and societal climate. DoHomeland Security arises after 9/11 for example.*
What are the powers of the President?
Article I includes a long list of powers given to Congress. Article II is short with few formal powers with lots of generalizations; intentionally vague about what the President can do leads to an expanded presidency and bureaucracy. Commander in Chief; vague to give military powers to President. Take care to execute the laws (source for Administrative Presidency) Send messages to Congress on the State of the Union Veto legislation Negotiate treaties subject to 2/3 approval of Senate Make appointments subject to Senate approval What does a chief executive mean? Intentionally chief because it has a central figure with more agency to get things done. The powers of the president don't meet the expectations.
What are the institutional structures in the House and the Senate that help members overcome barriers to collective action?
Because of political parties, what individual members give up in freedom is more than made up for by what they can gain by cooperating with one another. The more power the Speaker has, it means the more cohesive the dominant Party is. Favors given to those who fall in line with party demands. Committees: Committees are ultimately subject to the majority party, and the committee and party systems are closely integrated and mutually dependent. House committees are more powerful than their counterparts in the Senate. Members pursue committee assignments that allow them to serve special constituent interests as well as their own policy and power goals.
Institutional Barriers to Passing Legislation
Bicameralism Senate Filibuster
Congressional Power
Budget Authority: Congress uses power over budget to direct and prohibit spending on programs. Oversight: Uses oversight hearings to get answers from executive, conduct investigations, affect public opinion. ISIS and military operations NSA Surveillance & Reform Hearings on Defense Budget and Sequester Drones Intelligence Committee Report on Investigation of CIA use of enhanced interrogation techniques.
The Regulatory State
Bureaucratization; the executive orders and through regulations and departments rather than legislation, which arises because of the divided govt and his ambigious role as outlined by the Constitution. President's faithfully execute the law, interpret meaning of law-propose regulations, create priorities for enforcement. Obama less legislation more through regulatory state. Trump coming in to reverse those actions in areas of: gay rights, immigration, environment, Obamacare. Average Number of Previous Executive Orders Reversed by Each President (per year): Truman around 7, Carter around 13, Bush Jr. around 8, Obama around 6. Shows how volitile of executive orders are because they can be reversed by previous administration. Climate CHange for example: Because of EO passed by Obama (Paris Climate Agreement--didn't have to be ratified by 2/3 Senate), Trump can ignore these agreements because their laws not backed by legislation.
What are the requirements and powers of Congress and how does the congressional electoral system work?
Congress can impose taxes, coin and borrow money, commerce clause and spend money on the military. *Necessary and Proper clause*--most extensive grant of power in the Constitution. Congress can declare war, raise and finance an army/navy and sometimes work with foreign relations (confirms treaties). Confirms president's nominees. Congress does not have exclusive authority over legislation. President can veto laws which require a ⅔ majority of overturn. States can draw districts how they please; if one party controls both the legislature and the governorship, it may attempt to draw district lines that favor its own candidates. the idea is to concentrate the oppositions parties voters in a small number of districts that the party wins by large margins, thus 'wasting' many of its votes, while creating as many districts as possible where one's own party has a secure, though not overwhelming, majority. Unequal representation of the Senate; the nine largest states are home ot 51% of the total US population, while the smallest twenty six states (with 52% of Senate seats) holds 18% of the population. Unequal Senate representation currently favors Republicans.
Party Polarization in Congress
DW-NOMINATE created by Poole and Rosenthal scales all roll-call votes taken on a *liberal-conservative dimension (first dimension)* based on government role in the economy. A second dimension capturing civil rights was important in the 1930s-60s. Today the first dimension explains more than 90% of voting. Congress really votes along party lines (92% for both R and D in House, 94% for D in Senate). Party Unity during Obama Years: 93% in House for R, 91% for D. 91% for D in Senate, 83% for R. In the House, *the parties are further apart since Reconstruction*. Republicans becoming more conservative than Dems becoming liberal.
What does Federalist 10 say about (Congress and) Representation?
In a republic the legislature (Congress) will: "refine and enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations." *YET* at the same time, there were Anti-Federalists stating that: "If the representation be so formed as to give one or more of the natural classes of men in the society an undue ascendancy over the others, it is imperfect; the former will gradually become masters, and the latter slaves."
What causes polarization?
Long term ideological sorting among elites and voters: *1960s*: after civil rights movement the Solid Democratic South began voting Republican for President but still Democrat for Congress. *1980s*: begin to realign presidential and congressional voting. *1994* Republican Revolution turning point in realignment of districts. Very few members that are moderate in the House and Senate. No overlap between most liberal Republican and most Conservative Democrat. Districts repped by Dems and Repubs have strikingly different demographic profiles. Repubs represent very white districts. Repubs also represent more non-college eduated areas. Long term trends reinforced by partisan primaries and redistricting practices.
Minority rights in the Senate
McConnell has majority but rules of Senate favor minority rights: *Unanimous Consent Agreements* (on what to talk about in floor). *No Germaneness Rule for Amendments* (add amendments that have nothing to do with bill--have earmarks and tag-along amendments that have nothing to do with the bill in question but can still favor the opposing party). *Holds & Filibusters* *Cloture Proof Majority*: Senate can end a debate with sixty votes and vote on bill. This is difficult to obtain, allowing for a minority to hijack the bill process with endless filibuster. This means that the threshold for passage of a bill can be raised from 51 votes (a simple majority) to 60 votes (a three-fifths majority) — the minority need only signal its intent to filibuster. Because filibusters aren't costly in terms of political capital, a committed minority can treat the filibuster as the default stance out of which the Senate must rise in order to get anything done.
Is Congress run by rich people seeking to gain more benefit for themselves and their families and subject to corruption by special interests?
Members of Congress are wealthier than the average citizen. Median net worth of Congress: $1.1 million; 50.8% are millionaires. Median net worth of Senators: $2.9 million Median net worth of House members: $860,000. Avg US household net worth: $56,355. Declined by almost 1/3 2007-2013. Leads to this argument that politicians are out of touch with the public; they don't understand their concerns/issues.
What is the impact of diversity?
Minority groups (race and gender) bring different perspective to policymaking that considers group interests and they bring new issues to the agenda...black members led the fight for sanctions punishing South African for its apartheid system in the 1980s while women make sexual harrasment and sex discrimination get attention. Personal experience --> Policy Pursuit. Minority groups are more aggressive advocates for groupt interests. Sponsor more legisllation on civil rights/women's rights and to lesser extent, social welfare. Increase oversight of bureucracy on these issues. Most minorities in Congress are Democrats. For women policy activity varies by party.
Lobbying and Drafting Legislation
More likely to lobby friends and politically similar people rather than opposition because they want someone to champion their cause. Most lobbying is pushing your own side for a certain cause and prioritizing what Congress should focus on. Provide information from specialists to congressional staff. Show them how their policy votes will impact constituents. 2015: 11,000 registered lobbyists, 3.1 Billion spent on lobbying. *Agenda Setting and Framing*: Prioritizing policy over other policies. *Drafting/Shaping Policy*: A lot of this is done by interest groups by already; most bills are drafted by thinktank and Congressman mostly "copy-and-paste" it.
Demographics of Congress
Most are old, white men. *46 AA in House, 34 Hispanics, 12 Asians. 3 AA in Senate, 4 Hispanics, 3 Asians.* This is the MOST diverse Congress we've ever had. In 2016, Catherine Cortez Masto became the first Latina elected to the Senate (NV). The people ho win seats in the Senate and House are by no means 'representative' of the American people in any demographic sense...Almost all members graduated from college and more than half have law degrees and only a few have blue-collar backgrounds.
What are Congressmen's (former) occupations?
Most members of Congress are in one of three professions: *Law*, *public office* or *business*. Only 17 House members have medical experience; 4 in the Senate. They are trying to make decisions on health (Obamacare).
Race and Congress
Most minorities are democrats. Most African-Americans and Hispanics serve in majority/minority districts (*an electoral district, such as a United States congressional district, in which the majority of the constituents in the district are racial or ethnic minorities*) protected by Voting Rights Act. 1982 Amendments to VRA: no dilution of representation and protect ability to elect representatives of their choice (previously, gerrymandering cracked/packed the minority vote). Post 1990 census increase # these districts. 102nd-103rd Congress (91-95) from 27-39 African-Americans and 10-17 Hispanics. No room for growth in this type of district.
2016 Fiscal Year Federal Budget and Defecit
Most spending comes from mandatory spending; that is, 2.4 trillion goes towards benefit programs like Social Security, Medicaid, Unemployment Compensation. In comparison, only 1.2 trillion goes to discretionary spending. *While spending is at 3.9 trillion, revenue is at 3.3 trillion* most of which comes from individual income taxes and social insurance taxes. Debt continues to rise. Mandatory spending from 1996 to 2016 has changed a lot; in terms of percentage of GDP, there has been a 2.5% increase from 1996 in major health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare), .6% increase in Social Security, and minor increases in Income Security Programs and Veteran's Benefits. Half of discretionary spending goes towards national defense, the other half goes towards things such as transportation, education and training, administration of justice and international affairs. 7.2% Average discretionary spending as a percentage of gross domestic product between 1996 and 2015. Mandatory spending has increased over time; 26% in 1966 but 63% in 2016 (projected). Meanwhile, discretionary went from 67% to 31% in the same period.
Congress and President's Conflict and Cooperation
Politics stops at water's edge is a myth. After WWI, Senate rejected Wilson's peace treaty which would have created a LoN. 1920s Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts to outlaw war and US involvement in foreign conflicts. Before Pearl Harbor, FDR tries to get around Neutrality Acts with Lend Lease Program but PH changes everything. Congress has not officially declared war since WWII. Cold War, Korea, and Vietnam were president's initiate action and justify with UN/NATO approval and/or congressional resolutions. Vietnam Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: Congress gives LBJ open-ended authority to stop Communist advancement.
How does the budget get created?
President sends an annual budget proposal to Congress. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) drafts the proposal. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) created in 1970s to give non-partisan advice and scoring of proposals to counter OMB. Congress creates a budget to decide annual spending for all cabinet departments, agencies, programs run by federal government. House and Senate Budget Committees pass Budget resolutions with spending targets. A series of Appropriations bills must be passed and signed by President to fund each agency.
How does the Equal Representation contribute to the lack of minority representation in the Senate?
Really undiverse states still get equal representation to diverse California. 22 states = California population but California is more diverse and need more representation for all that diversity. Smaller states tend to be whiter; large states tend to have more blacks, Hispanics. Yet equal representation means less minorities are in Congress because no one from those smaller states will have a black Senator. (historical record shows that).
Undoing Obama Era Climate Regulation
Regulatory Process: 1. agency issues rule; Obama Clean Power Plan (June 2014) Reduce emissions from existing power plants 32% below 2005 levels 2. public comment process (testimony, hearings, letters to agency). 4 million comments. 3. agency issues final rule. Aug 2015, formula to set emissions target for each state and gave utilities elxibility in how to meet them. 4. Judicial review (when opponents sue). Industry groups and many states (including OK) DC Circuit still considering.
Obama's Proposed AUMF Never Passed
Repeals & Replaces 2002 Iraq AUMF but not more expansive 2001 AUMF that starts War on Terror. Targets ISIS and associated forces with no territorial limit can go beyond Iraq & Syria to go after other terrorist groups. Obama "no enduring offensive ground combat operations" Ds: Enduring is too vague=blank check? Rs: Use of ground troops should be decided by situation on ground and military commanders. 3yr time limit to resolution has a sunset but into next presidency.
Obamacare: Repeal and Replace
Republican controlled House voted to repeal or scale back parts of Obamacare more than 60 times since 2010 (knew it wouldn't get passed but it was a symbolic thing). After R's took over Senate, a full repeal bill passed Congress, was vetoed by Obama. R's took control over the three branches; why having trouble passing a repeal and replacement? --No replacement --constituents would be unhappy --not really ready to do this
Filibuster Reform
Require senators to hold the floor during a filibuster. Reduce cloture requirement in successive votes. Limit number of motions that are subject to filibuster: Eliminate filibusters on motions to proceed or go to conference just on legislation; Eliminate filibusters on Appropriations bills, tax bills. Eliminate filibuster let majority rule.
The Challenges the Bureaucracy Faces
Some agencies operate with substantial autonomy while others are carefully monitored by their multiple principals. The development of distinctive bureaucratic cultures and missions also inhibits cooperation between agencies. Agency officials operate in a world of competition for scarce resources, often intense conflict among interests and values, and multiple bosses. Bureaucrats most important relationship is with Congress, as it controls the organization, authority, budgets and staffing. Savvy bureaucrats design and manage their programs in ways that enhance political support in Congress. If feasible, programs produce widely distributed local benefits even when their main purpose is to generate diffuse national benefits.
Laws Made During Congress
Steady downward trend; whereas with Truman's Congress had 906 laws and a peak of 1028 with Eisenhower, the current political climate of partisanship has meant Obama was only able to make 165 laws in the 2013-2014 Congress, a incredibly low number.
Does class/occupation matter?
Study of occupational backgrounds of House members found small number of members who came from working class background more likely to vote for labor friendly legislation than members with business or professional background. Results hold even after accounting for proportion of constituents who are working class. (Carnes Legislative Studies Quarterly 2011). Stark decline of Veterans in Congress (only 20% now compared to nearly 75% in 1965). *Certain backgrounds give more credibility on particular issues because of one's experiences.* John McCain is always called upon to discuss issues about war and is influential because of his experiences in Vietnam.
Interest Group Influence and Campaign Contribution
The expansion of interest groups spending in campaigns has increased exponentially; in 2016, about half of campaign contributions came from these outside groups (513.4 Million, compared to 457 million from individuals and 98.8 million from PACs). In 1990, outside money was $0. The recent trend is that outside groups give more money to Republicans except for in '08. These interest groups, if they aren't partisan, they prefer incumbants because if they donate to imcumbants, the incumbants are in power and have more resources to help them out. Also give more to majority party in power because they control policy. Mac Thornberry: R-TX. Chair of Armed Services Committee; his top 5 contributers are defense/airplane industries. Top 5 industries are defense aerospace, misc defense, retired, defense electronics and livestock. Lobbying doesn't change votes directly but it causes more favorable viewing of these interest groups. For example, when Boeing spends money on Thornberry, it won't change his policy votes directly but if it ever comes to a decision on who he wants as a contractor, he may view them more favorably in the future for contracting.
Trump Priority: Expanded Enforcement of Immigration Laws
Trump's priority from convicted criminals to anyone who has committed a crime = all illegal immigrants. Build a wall $21.6 billion estimate needed Hire more agents, 5700 under Obama want 10,000 more and deputize local law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants Deport those caught more quickly, no more catch and release with a court date, deport or detain. Obama expedited removal if caught within 14 days of entry within 100 miles of the border. Trump expedited removal for those here less than 2 years.
Can Delegates Serve the National Interest?
Trustees deliberate to come to a conclusion that is good for the nation as a whole. "Parliament is a deliberate assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole- where not local purposes, not local prejudices ought to guide but the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole. You choose a member indeed but when you have chosen him. He is not a member of Bristol but he is a member of Parliament." - Edmund Burke Speech to the Electors of Bristol Corporations know the battle between local and national interests as well; companies will build their planes (and their attached parts) all across the nation, bringing jobs to many more states and districts. As a result, Congressmen are hesistant to do anything that messes with airplane manufacturing because it creates so many jobs for so many constituents. It would be easier to hurt the industry if it was concentrated in one area because only a few legislators would be oppossed to legislation harming Boeing.
Presidential Success in Unified and Divided Government
Unified Government the President and Congress share the same agenda. In Divided Government there is a competing Congressional agenda. There is more Gridlock when: 1. Greater ideological distance between the president and Congress 2. Fewer moderates 3. Greater ideological distance between House and Senate
Voter Education
Voter Scorecards: Congressman want a high score from certain ideological groups to have a good rapport with voters. Members want to tout perfect records from ideologically compatible groups. Groups score votes to pressure members and sometimes leaders ask groups to score a vote. Heritage Foundation provides basically a Conservative scorecard, which voters look at as a basis for voting. Interest groups have power over voters because they are suppliers of information. Candidate Questionnaires, Pledges, Endorsements and Opposition Ads to sway the voters.
