Kristen Scheidt
10/23/18
PoliSci Outline 3
Chapter 3: Congress
1. Congress - designed to represent different perspectives and ideas
a. Senate and House of Representatives
b. Focuses on oversight and administration (nowadays)
c. Intended to be the first branch
i. Still is the first branch but not necessarily primary
d. Power problem - give the govt enough power to make laws and changes but also
limit power so they do not become corrupt or controling
i. Congress often unable to get things done
ii. Democratic values make the power problem dominant
iii. Power is dynamic, not static
iv. Power flows to whichever branch seems to be effective
e. Functions of Congress
i. Most time spent legislating and representing interests rather than
lawmaking
ii. Legislating - lawmaking for the country
1. Both House and Senate must pass bill in order to become a law
2. House
a. Elected by the people
b. Serve 2 years
3. Senate
a. Elected by legislation
b. Serve 6 years
iii. Representation of constituents and interests
1. House - 435 areas to represent
2. Senate - 50 states
3. Political Efficacy
a. is the belief that it is possible for a person to participate
effectively in government and politics
4. Three theories of rep
a. Delegate - should act as delegates of their competence
i. Political obligation to serve the people
b. Trustee - should do what they think is in the best interest of
the people
i. Vote based on what they think is right not what
people think
c. Politico - combination of delegate and trustee
i. Politicians use whichever theory based on the
situation
iv. Investigating (Legislative Oversight)
10/23/18
PoliSci Outline 3
Chapter 3: Congress
1. Congress - designed to represent different perspectives and ideas
a. Senate and House of Representatives
b. Focuses on oversight and administration (nowadays)
c. Intended to be the first branch
i. Still is the first branch but not necessarily primary
d. Power problem - give the govt enough power to make laws and changes but also
limit power so they do not become corrupt or controling
i. Congress often unable to get things done
ii. Democratic values make the power problem dominant
iii. Power is dynamic, not static
iv. Power flows to whichever branch seems to be effective
e. Functions of Congress
i. Most time spent legislating and representing interests rather than
lawmaking
ii. Legislating - lawmaking for the country
1. Both House and Senate must pass bill in order to become a law
2. House
a. Elected by the people
b. Serve 2 years
3. Senate
a. Elected by legislation
b. Serve 6 years
iii. Representation of constituents and interests
1. House - 435 areas to represent
2. Senate - 50 states
3. Political Efficacy
a. is the belief that it is possible for a person to participate
effectively in government and politics
4. Three theories of rep
a. Delegate - should act as delegates of their competence
i. Political obligation to serve the people
b. Trustee - should do what they think is in the best interest of
the people
i. Vote based on what they think is right not what
people think
c. Politico - combination of delegate and trustee
i. Politicians use whichever theory based on the
situation
iv. Investigating (Legislative Oversight)
