US Congress: Powers, Roles, and Representation

Constitutional Powers of Congress

Congress derives its powers from Article 1 of the Constitution.

Defining Constituency

A constituency is a body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body.

Differences Between the House and Senate

The House and Senate differ in terms, number of members, and legislative roles.

House of Representatives

• Often referred to as the "House."
• Comprises 435 voting members and 6 non-voting members (5 delegates, 1 resident commissioner).
• Considered the lower house.
• Responds more quickly to the needs of the people due to two-year terms.
• All laws dealing with revenue must originate in the House.

Senate

• Considered the upper house of the bicameral legislature.
• Has 100 seats or voting members.
• Six-year terms allow the Senate to deliberate more slowly and consider the long-term effects of laws.

Representative Roles: Trustee vs. Delegate

Representatives interpret their jobs in different ways, often categorized as the trustee or delegate model.

• Delegate Model: Representatives act as a voice for their constituents, directly reflecting their wishes.
• Trustee Model: Representatives are entrusted by their constituents to make decisions based on their own judgment and expertise.

Agency vs. Sociological Representation

• Sociological Representation: Occurs when constituents choose a representative whose ethnic, religious, racial, social, or educational background resembles their own.
• Agency Representation: Occurs when constituents choose a representative to carry out their specific wishes in Congress, regardless of the representative's background.

Factors Influencing Elections

Three key factors related to the electoral system affect who gets elected:

1. Candidate Pool: Who chooses to run for office.
2. Incumbency: The advantage held by those already in office.
3. Redistricting: The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.

Incumbency and Its Impact

Incumbency refers to the holding of an office or the period during which one is held. It significantly helps candidates by preserving the status quo. An alternative to incumbency is the implementation of term limits.

Redistricting: Process and Timing

Redistricting is the process of drawing United States electoral district boundaries. It occurs every ten years, in conjunction with the national census.

Apportionment Explained

Apportionment is the determination of the proportional number of members each US state sends to the House of Representatives, based on population figures.

Understanding Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering is a practice intended to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Pork barrel is a metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.