Who’s In Congress

A Look at Demographics of the 113th CongressChapter 13, pp. 325-330, CT Packet & Handout from CQ

Race & Gender Number has Increased slowly since 1992.

Can you point to a factor as to why? Study your homework sheet. What do you

notice about party politics of minorities in general? Why do you think minorities increased in the 113th Congress?

Let’s discuss your homework by trends:

Women in Congress

89th Congress1965-66

113th Congress2013-2014

Race in Congress: Then & Now

Race in Congress Chart

Religious Diversity

% Religious Preference

ProtestantCatholicMormanJewishUnaffiliatedOther

31%

7%

56%

Incumbency Define term. 1989 saw smallest freshman class at 6%

&1993 saw the largest in nearly 50 years with 39%. 2011 & 2013 by comparison had a freshman class of 20%.

Check & grade handouts.

Incumbency Is a constitutional amendment needed? Let’s start with the “NO” position

Redistricting in 1990sScandals of 1990sBlue Dog Democrats became Republicans

Walter Jones is GREAT example!

Now, the “YES” position… More safe than marginal districts now

Define terms

Safe vs. Marginal NC US District 3 is a great

example of safe district

Walter Jones

Opponents0.00%

10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%60.00%70.00%80.00%90.00%

100.00%

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

Why so many safe districts? Name Recognition

Publicity in mediaFamous fathers

Franking PrivilegeDefine

Free Travel Gerrymandered districts Pork Barrel Legislation

Discuss earmark projects

Party Comparisons

Democrats have controlled Congress more often since 1933:27 times controlled BOTH houses (2009/111th

most recent)32 times controlled ONE house (2013/113th

still control Senate)Discuss current Congress with sheet.

Why is Congress Democrat Dominated? Gerrymandering

Debate how NC changed in 2011. Has NC shifted to Republican control?

Yes-NCGA Republican takeover 2011Yes-Currituck Co. Republican takeoverMaybe-NC was Blue in ’08/Red in ‘12Maybe-NC executive branch has

Democrats in elected offices-Gov. is Rep.

Party Problems Democrats are more ideologically divided,

but Tea Party has fractured Republicans Many Southern Democrats have switched

to Republican PartyWBJ, Jr. is example: WBJ, Sr. was Democrat

Both Parties seem to be moving to the ideological extremeWhat is the cause of the extremism?How have budget fights highlighted this?

How has Congress changed in the past 50 years? Interview with Senator Dorganhttp://loufreyinstitute.org/civicsconnection/conversations/1/11

Is Congress broken?http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50134480n

What commonalities exist in the 2 videos?What can be done to “fix” Congress?Are there any benefits to the current state of

Congress?