Congress I

3/8/2012

Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form

• Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:– identify and explain the role of formal

(congressional) institutions and their effect on policy. – to understand and interpret the United States

Constitution and apply it to present policy dilemmas. – have a better understanding of why our national

government works and why the American system of government is unique.

Office Hours and Readings

• Chapter 8 on Congress

• Office Hours– Today 11-2

SUPER TUESDAY

Not the Game Changer

This in 2008 To This in 2012

What Was at Stake

• 10 States

• More than 400 Delegates

• 21 states and 800+ delegates in 2008

• Romney wins 6

• Santorum wins 3

• Gingrich wins 1

• Ron Paul will never quit

The Delegate Count

THE CONGRESSArticle I

The Great Compromise

Eligibility

House• 25 Years Old

• 7 Years a US resident

• Citizen

Senate• 30 Years old

• 9 Years a US resident

• Citizen

The Senate

• 2 Seats for Every State

• 6 year Terms that overlap

• 9 States have more than 50% of population, but 18% of representation

The House

• 435 Seats

• Divided by Population

• 2-year terms

• 700,000 Constituents

REDISTRICTING AND REAPPORTIONMENT

Reapportionment

• Dividing up the 435 House Seats

• Based on the Census

• Every state Gets 1 (50 states)

• 385 Seats are at play every year

Winners and Losers 2012

Redistricting

• The process of redrawing districts within a state

• State legislatures control the battle

• Very Political

Laws on Redistricting

• Districts must have equal populations

• You cannot destroy a party either

• You cannot dilute minority voting

• Malapportionment

Gerrymandering

• An Eponym

• Politically motivated redefinition of election districts.

• Not possible in the Senate

Packing and Cracking

Partisan Gerrymandering

• The Most Traditional Form

• Drawing lines to favor a political party

• Some of the Worst

Racial Gerrymandering

• The Original intent

• Voting Rights Act

• The Modern intent– Descriptive representation– Majority minority districts

• The Political Implications

GERRYMANDERING AND THE CASE OF TEXAS- 2003

The Events Leading Up to it all

• In 2000, the Democrats Gerrymander the state in their favor

• In 2002, the Democrats get 44% of the vote and 54% of the Seats in Congress

• Republicans take the Texas House and Senate and want payback

Payback Courtesy of Tom De Lay

• A mid-year reapportionment

• Strategy– 2 for 1s– Create unsafe seats– Make life miserable

What it did locally

Why it Fell apart

• Voting Rights Act

• One district ruled in violation

• The Rest Fell like dominoes

• But the Damage Was Done

What Happened to Tom De Lay?

• DWTS

• Currently on bail awaiting an appeal on money laundering

GERRYMANDERING AND TEXAS- 2011

What Happens

• The Republicans win big in 2010

• Large Majorities in the House and Senate

The Legislature Draws the First Map

• It Favors the Republicans (Duh)

• Legal Challenges by Latino and African-American Groups

A Federal Court in San Antonio Draws a New Map

• This map favors Democrats

• The State of Texas sues

• This postpones our Primary from Super Tuesday

A Compromise

• Our Primary is now May 29th

• The New map gives Democrats 2-3 of the new seats….

• No One is really happy

What it Does to Austin

• Creates 5 Districts

• Four Safe Republican

• Stretches Doggett’s District to San Antonio

GETTING TO CONGRESS

The Bad Old Days

• Congress Did very Little

• It was seen as a penance

• D.C. Was not a nice place

What has changed?

• Air Conditioning

• Congress does more

• People want to go there

Who Are Our Congressman: Wealthy

Why so many millionaires?

• Running for Congress is a costly endeavor

• Running for Congress is a full-time job

• You need a job that permits this

Congress is Older

Still More Men Than Women

Changes Since the 1990’s

A GREAT JOB

Well-Paid

Great Benefits

• Money For Trips and Travel

• Great Pension

• Cheap Health Care

Other Perks

• Great Parking

• 3 day work week

• Franking Privilege

• Power and Prestige