The Constitution and CongressRoad mapPre-ConstitutionThe First CongressThe Second CongressThe Politics of the Constitutional ConventionWhat the Compromise Gave UsThe Constitution: The SchematicKey Features of the Constitution for CongressWalk through Article IFormal analysis of bicameralismPresidential veto: “Tricameralism”Presidential veto: TricameralismThe effect of the “presentation clause”Adding the veto pivotWhat difference it makes: BushWhat difference it made: ClintonThe Constitution and Congress17.251/17.252Fall 2004Road map• Pre-constitution• Politics of the constitutional convention• Key features of the Constitution pertaining to CongressPre-Constitution• Self-governance came over to American from East Anglia• Colonies had legislatures–SJC– House of BurgessesThe First Congress• Continental Congresses, 1774-1781– Council of independent state governments• Coordinate state action• Attempted to provide national services– Post Office– Foreign Affairs–Etc.The Second Congress• Congress of the Confederation, 1781-1789– Authorized under the Articles of Confederation– Basic structure• Equality of states• Congress was the “united states in Congress assembled”– Weaknesses• Lack of popular moorings• Lack of compulsion on states or individuals• Weak floor rules• Committees given no special standingThe Politics of the Constitutional Convention• 1787• General flow of the ConventionNmstatesEquality of rep.=≠mstatesVa. plan(NJ plan)Ct. comp=Consti.-Nationalism/centralization +What the Compromise Gave Us• Virginia– Population-weighted representation– Unicameral legislature– National nullification ÆStrong national government– Congress elects Senate & President• N.J. (Status quo)– Equal representation of states– Coalition, not nation– Congress elects President (no Senate)– State sovereigntyÆShared sovereigntyThe Constitution: The SchematicThe people State legislatureSenateHouse of Reps.PresidentVa. PlanN.J. PlanKey Features of the Constitution for Congress• Membership• Powers– Free trade and one foreign policy– Congress and the president sovereign– House and Senate autonomous as institutions• Walk through constitutional featuresWalk through Article IFormal analysis of bicameralismBicameralism Æ greater “power” to more “conservative” bodyQSHWS(Q)WH(Q)W(Q) =WH(Q) 1 WS(Q)QSHWH(Q)Bicameralism Æ “gridlockWS(Q)W(Q)= emptyPresidential veto: “Tricameralism”QSHPWS(Q)WH(Q)W(Q) =WH(Q) 1 WS(Q)WP(Q)If president is on one side of the status quo and both chambers areon the other side, tricameralism induces gridlockPresidential veto: TricameralismQSHPW(Q) =WH(Q) 1 WS(Q)WP(Q)If the president is within the win set of the two chambers, thepresident is a “conservative” forceThe effect of the “presentation clause”QPSHIf Congress proposesIf the president proposesAdding the veto pivotPQSNo bill with ½ requirementS*QSStrategic bill 1 with 2/3 requirementPBill 1No bill 1 with 2/3 requirementQSS*PWhat difference it makes: Bush|||||||||| ||||||||| ||| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| | |||||||||||||| ||| || ||||||||||||||| ||-1 -.5 0 .5 11st dim dw-nominateBiden MillerBondWhat difference it made: Clinton|||||||||| ||||||||||||| |||||||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||| || ||||||| ||||||| ||-1 -.5 0 .5 11st dim