The Congress

I. House and Senate Differences

1. Size
   1. House members represent districts (435)
   2. Senators represent States (100)
   
   
2. Terms of Office
• Representatives serve 2 year terms; entire House membership elected every 2 years;
3. House Rules Committee
1. limits and controls debate;
2. issues rules (i.e., open, restricted, closed);
3. controls House Calendar (i.e., agenda)


4. Senate Filibusters & Unanimous Consent
1. individual senators have greater power to control Senate agenda;
2. cloture: 3/5s (or 60 senators) to end debate.

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C. Legislative Decision-Making

1. Political Parties: party unity is not strong, but predicts voting behavior.
• government management of economy;
• social welfare;
• agriculture




2. Constituents: how his/her constituents feel about the issue.

• agriculture
• individual freedoms;
• foreign affairs.




3. Interest Groups: influence is enhanced if many active members live in the member's district or state; significant financial contributions to campaigns.

• National Rifle Association (NRA)
• American Association of Retired People (AARP)




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