Federal Entities of the Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is composed of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has members who must be at least 30 years old, serve a 6-year term, and are less connected to the people they represent. On the other hand, the House of Representatives has at least one representative from each state, currently totaling 435 members. They must be at least 25 years old, hold a 2-year term, and are closer to the people they represent.
Powers and Functions of Congress
House of Representatives
The Speaker of the House, voted by representatives from the majority party, has the power to recognize who can speak and leads the debate. The majority/minority leader direct debate and guide their party members in policy making issues. The majority/minority whips render party discipline and ensure party members align with party goals.
Senate
The President of the Senate, held by the Vice President of the United States, is a non-voting member that can break a tie. The President Pro Tempore, a member of the majority party, leads the Senate when the Vice President is absent. The Majority Leader sets the legislative agenda and controls calendar assignments of bills.
Committees
There are small groups of legislatures known as committees. Standing committees remain from session to session and deal with continually present issues. Joint committees involve members from both the House and the Senate. Select committees are temporary and formed for specific purposes. Conference committees are formed when both houses cannot agree on an identical version of a bill. The House rule committee acts as a gatekeeper for all legislation and can decide when votes take place.
Congress Behavior
There is an ideological division within Congress, with Democrats becoming more liberal while Republicans are more conservative. This has led to gridlock, divided government, and the presence of lame ducks. There are also models of representation such as the Delegate Model, Trustee Model, and Politico Model that guide the behavior of Congress members.
Redistricting
Baker v Carr was a landmark case that addressed redistricting and the one person, one vote doctrine. It prohibited gerrymandering and altered the nature of political representation across the United States. Gerrymandering, a practice still used in some areas, is a political tool to manipulate voting districts for specific outcomes. Its prohibition ensures fair representation for all citizens.
In conclusion, the three branches of government and their functions are crucial components of the US political system, designed to ensure a balance of power and representation for the American people.
