1U. S. Congress• Parties matter a lot– preferences of representatives– legislative strategies– majority versus minority party• Committees matter a lot– 95% of legislation dies here – content of legislation• House and Senate differences matter a lotWeakness of Congressional Party• Undisciplined parties– ties to geographic districts– no control over renomination• Independent committee powerChanging Strength of Parties• 1880-1910 strong Speakers– Thomas B. “Boss” Reed– Joseph G. “Czar” Cannon• 1940-1960 weak and factionalized parties• Since 1970s stronger parties– changing rules– more distinctive and cohesive partiesReedCannonMajority versus Minority Party• Majority party determines control of leadership positionsHouse232 (53%) Republican202 (49%) Democrat1 ( .2%) independentSenate55 Republicans44 Democrats1 independent109th Congress (2005-2006)2Majority Party Status: U.S. HouseSource: MicroCase, file = History, variables = 16) %DEM HOUSE,70) %REP HOUSE, 68) HSE-OTHPowers of Majority Party• All committee chairs• More influence over legislative agenda• More tools for strategy• Minority party status most onerous in HouseSpeaker ofthe HouseJ. Dennis Haskert (R. IL)http://speaker.house.gov/Majority LeaderJohn Boehner (R. OH)http://www.majorityleader.gov/Minority LeaderNancy Pelosi (D. CA)http://democraticleader.house.gov/Roles:Scheduling & RulesParty SpokespersonStrategyParty Leadership in the HouseConstitutional Leadership of the SenateVice PresidentDick CheneyBreaks tied votesPresident pro temporeTed Stevens (Alaska)Most senior member of majorityParty – 36 yearsRarely oversees Senate floor3Actual Leadership of SenateMajority LeaderBill Frist (R. TN)http://republican.senate.gov/Minority LeaderHarry Reid (D. NV)http://democrat.senate.gov/index3.htmlOther Party Leadership Posts• Whips• Chair of party caucus• Chair of policy and strategy committees• Chair of congressional campaign committeesPower of Leadership• Persuasion & coalition building• Elected leader• Willingness of members to follow• More information• House - control of Rules CommitteeParty Caucus• Elect party leadership• Confirm selection of members to standing committees• Too large for most policy and strategy4Committees in Congress• Formulate legislation• Kill 95% of all proposed legislation• Such strong committee role is rareTypes of Committees• Standing committees– permanent– legislative writing– subcommittees• Select or Special Committees• Joint Committees• Conference Committees109thCongressStandingCommitteesHouse SenateAgriculture Agriculture, Nutrition & ForestryAppropriations AppropriationsArmed Services Armed ServicesBudget BudgetEducation & the Workforce Health, Education, Labor, & PensionEnergy & Commerce Commerce, Science & TransportationEnergy & Natural ResourcesFinancial Services Banking, Housing & Urban AffairsGovernment ReformHomeland Security Homeland Security & Governmental AffairsHouse AdministrationInternational Relations Foreign RelationsJudiciary JudiciaryResources Environment & Public WorksRules Rules & AdministrationScienceSmall Business Small Business & EntrepreneurshipStandards of Official ConductTransportation & InfrastructureVeterans' Affairs Veterans AffairsWays & Means FinanceIndian AffairsCommittee Assignment & Leadership• Members appointed by party• Members ask for committees to– help reelection– write good policy– power in Washington• Chairs selected by modified seniority system5Committee Assignments of Arizona SenatorsJohn McCainCommittee on Commerce, Science& Transportation Committee on Armed ServicesCommittee on Indian Affairs (chair)Jon KylCommittee on FinanceSubcommittee on Taxation & IRSOversight (chair)Committee on JudiciaryCommittee Assignments of Arizona RepresentativesJim Kolbe, 8th DistrictRepublicanCommittee on AppropriationsSubcommittee chair:Foreign Operations, ExportFinancing & Related ProgramsRaul Grijalva, 7thDistrictDemocratCommittee on Education and WorkforceCommittee on ResourcesLegislative Process• Incremental legislation• Coalition building• Easier to kill legislation • Multistage process– Committees– Floor action– Reconciliation of House & Senate versions– Presidential decisionPresidentReconciliationInformal orConferencecommitteesSenateFloorHouseFloorRulesComm.StandingCommitteeSubcommitteeStandingCommitteeSubcommitteeSenateHouseFrom SenateFloorFrom HouseFloor6House and Senate DifferencesHouse Senate Subcommittees Full committee Controlled Debate Uncontrolled Debate Filibuster Cloture Limited amendments Nongermane amendments How Legislators Vote• Too many to be fully informed• Cue taking• Contact from party, constituents, lobbyists, administration, legislative staff• 2/3rds party line votesVote Democrat Republican Total Increase 97% 37% 66% No change 3% 63% 34% Number 207 216 423 Example of Party Line Vote: Bill to Increase Minimum Wage, 106th CongressParty Line Votes0102030405060701957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002HouseSenateNote: Points represent 5-year averages7Increase in Party-Line Voting• More cohesive parties• Demise of the “conservative coalition”Why Parties in All Democratic Legislatures?• Stable majority for legislation– reduces time for coalition building– decreases likelihood of cycling majoritiesUniqueness of U.S. Legislative Parties• Weaker than in European parliaments• Most legislation needs some bipartisan support• Autonomous committees write legislation• Parties slightly less important in Senate than in HouseOdds and Ends• Congressional pay - $158,100• websites:– http://www.house.gov– http://www.senate.gov– http://thomas.loc.gov/– http://www.azleg.state.az.us• Best coverage– Congressional Quarterly Weekly