🏛️Congress Unit 15 – Congress: Modern Challenges and Reforms

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Congress the legislative branch of the U.S. government, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate
• Bicameral legislature Congress is divided into two separate chambers, each with its own powers and responsibilities
  • House of Representatives the lower chamber of Congress, with representatives elected based on population
  • Senate the upper chamber of Congress, with two senators representing each state regardless of population
• Congressional oversight the power of Congress to monitor and investigate the activities of the executive branch
• Filibuster a tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate indefinitely
• Cloture a procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster and bring a measure to a vote
• Gerrymandering the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party or group
• Incumbency advantage the electoral benefit enjoyed by sitting members of Congress due to factors such as name recognition and fundraising ability

Historical Context and Evolution

• Founding Fathers established Congress as a check on the power of the executive branch and to represent the interests of the people
• Representation in the House of Representatives has grown from 65 members in 1789 to 435 members today
• 17th Amendment (1913) established direct election of senators by popular vote, rather than by state legislatures
• Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited racial discrimination in voting, leading to increased representation of minorities in Congress
• Women's suffrage (19th Amendment, 1920) and the civil rights movement led to greater diversity in Congress
• Technological advancements (television, internet) have increased public scrutiny and changed the way Congress operates
• Polarization and partisanship have intensified in recent decades, making consensus-building more challenging

Structure and Functions of Congress

• House of Representatives members serve two-year terms and represent districts based on population
  • Presiding officer is the Speaker of the House, elected by the majority party
• Senate members serve six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate elected every two years
  • Presiding officer is the Vice President, who can cast tie-breaking votes
• Committees play a crucial role in the legislative process, holding hearings, drafting bills, and providing oversight
  • Examples of committees include the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
• Congress has the power to declare war, regulate commerce, levy taxes, and more (enumerated in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution)
• Checks and balances Congress can override presidential vetoes, impeach federal officials, and confirm presidential appointments

Modern Challenges Facing Congress

• Gridlock and partisan polarization have made it difficult for Congress to address pressing issues and pass legislation
• Influence of money in politics, including the impact of campaign finance laws and lobbying, has raised concerns about corruption and unequal representation
• Changing media landscape has altered how members of Congress communicate with constituents and has increased political polarization
• Gerrymandering has led to less competitive districts and more extreme candidates, contributing to polarization
• Balancing national security concerns with civil liberties has been a challenge, particularly in the wake of the 9/11 attacks
• Addressing income inequality and the widening wealth gap has proven difficult, with disagreements over tax policy and social welfare programs
• Climate change and environmental protection have been divisive issues, with debates over the role of government in regulating industry and promoting clean energy

Recent Reform Efforts

• Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold Act) aimed to limit the influence of money in politics by regulating campaign finance
• House Democrats passed H.R. 1 (For the People Act) in 2019, a sweeping reform package addressing voting rights, campaign finance, and ethics rules
  • Bill stalled in the Senate due to lack of Republican support
• Efforts to end gerrymandering, such as independent redistricting commissions, have been implemented in some states
• Proposals to eliminate the filibuster have gained traction among some Democrats, arguing that it has been abused and hinders progress
• Calls for term limits have been made to encourage turnover and reduce the influence of career politicians
• Attempts to increase transparency, such as requiring members of Congress to disclose stock trades, have been proposed
• Reforms to the budget process, such as biennial budgeting, have been suggested to improve fiscal planning and reduce brinkmanship

Impact on Legislation and Policy

• Polarization has led to fewer bipartisan compromises and more partisan legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act (2010) and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017)
• Gridlock has slowed the pace of legislation, with fewer bills being passed in recent Congresses compared to historical averages
• Use of reconciliation process has allowed majority parties to bypass the filibuster and pass legislation with simple majorities, such as the American Rescue Plan Act (2021)
• Executive actions, such as executive orders and agency regulations, have become more common as a way to bypass Congressional gridlock
• Judicial appointments have become more contentious, with partisan battles over Supreme Court nominees like Merrick Garland and Amy Coney Barrett
• Foreign policy has been affected by partisan divides, such as disagreements over the Iran nuclear deal and the U.S. response to the conflict in Syria
• Debt ceiling standoffs have become more frequent, with partisan brinkmanship over government spending and borrowing leading to government shutdowns

Public Perception and Media Influence

• Public trust in Congress has declined in recent decades, with approval ratings often below 20%
• Media coverage of Congress has become more negative and focused on partisan conflict rather than legislative accomplishments
• Rise of social media has allowed members of Congress to communicate directly with constituents, but has also amplified partisan rhetoric and misinformation
• Partisan media outlets (Fox News, MSNBC) have contributed to polarization by reinforcing ideological echo chambers
• Scandals and misconduct by individual members of Congress have eroded public trust and fueled anti-establishment sentiment
• Lack of civility and bipartisan cooperation has led to public frustration with Congress and the political system as a whole
• Grassroots movements (Tea Party, progressive activists) have pressured Congress to adopt more ideologically extreme positions, further contributing to polarization

Future Outlook and Potential Changes

• Demographic shifts, such as the growing diversity of the electorate, may lead to changes in the composition and priorities of Congress
• Redistricting following the 2020 Census could alter the balance of power in the House of Representatives
• Calls for structural reforms, such as eliminating the Electoral College or changing the size of the Supreme Court, may gain traction in the coming years
• Efforts to address systemic inequalities, such as racial injustice and income inequality, may shape the legislative agenda
• Advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence and automation, may present new policy challenges for Congress to address
• Climate change and the transition to a clean energy economy will likely be a major focus of Congressional action in the coming decades
• Geopolitical shifts, such as the rise of China and the changing nature of global trade, may require Congress to reassess U.S. foreign policy and international commitments
• Generational change, as younger members of Congress (AOC, Madison Cawthorn) gain influence, may bring new perspectives and priorities to the legislative process