POL110 Week 7 Scenario Script: The Power Of Congress

POL110 Week 7 Scenario Script The Power of Congress

POL110 Week 7 Scenario Script: The Power of Congress

The scenario provides an in-depth exploration of the structure, functions, and political dynamics of the United States Congress. It highlights the roles of Congress in shaping public policy, the organizational formulation of the legislative chambers, legislative processes, and the ethical considerations associated with congressional conduct. The script follows a conversation between Dr. Ryan and Amanda, contextualized within a visual tour of Capitol Hill exhibits, to deepen understanding of congressional powers, organization, and challenges.

Paper For Above instruction

The United States Congress stands as a pivotal institution in the American political system, crafted to represent the diverse interests of the populace and to legislate on matters vital to national governance. Its design, functions, and political dynamics reflect a complex balance between democratic representation, institutional checks, and partisan competition, shaping the policymaking process in profound ways.

Fundamentally, Congress is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House, with 435 members apportioned based on state population, serves as the chamber closest to the American voter. Representatives serve two-year terms, ensuring their continuous accountability to constituents. This direct electoral process, where members are chosen by voters rather than party leaders, fosters a level of independence and responsiveness to local preferences (Mann & Ornstein, 2012). In contrast, the Senate comprises 100 members, with each state equally represented by two Senators serving six-year terms, providing stability and statewide representation (Carbaugh, 2018). Together, these chambers form the core of legislative authority, responsible for drafting, debating, and passing laws that reflect the diverse American interests.

Demographically, Congress has historically been dominated by middle-aged, white males, although recent decades have seen increased representation of racial minorities, women, and younger members, signaling a slow but ongoing shift towards a more representative body (Reed & Indermaur, 2019). Nonetheless, incumbency advantage remains significant, with re-election rates exceeding 80%, a testament to the advantages of name recognition, experience, and constituent familiarity (Arnold, 2016). Such electoral resilience emphasizes the importance of personality, local issues, and constituent service over policy ideology alone in congressional elections.

The organization within Congress reflects a structured hierarchy where majority and minority leadership are central to legislative strategy. Party whips coordinate votes and maintain party discipline, facilitating the passage of legislation aligned with party goals (Fenno, 2018). The line of succession places the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate after the Vice President, underscoring the institutional emphasis on continuity of leadership.

Legislative procedures are complex and often gridlocked; bills typically pass through multiple committees before reaching the floor for debate and voting. The committee process filters unrelated or poorly conceived legislation, and conference committees reconcile differences in bicameral bills. Executive vetoes serve as a gatekeeping mechanism, with veto overrides requiring a two-thirds majority—a high threshold rarely met, thus giving the executive substantial influence over legislation (Pinkowski, 2020). The legislative process is further complicated by tactics like filibusters and amendments (riders), which can delay or obstruct legislation, reflecting the contentious nature of policymaking (Klotz & Reddick, 2013).

Historically, congressional ethics have been scrutinized, especially after scandals like Watergate, leading to reforms and increased public awareness of misconduct. Members can face sanctions ranging from censure to expulsion, although actual expulsions are rare—most often reserved for severe malfeasance such as misuse of campaign funds (Jacobson, 2015). Public attitudes have shifted over time, with voters now more vigilant about character flaws and misconduct among lawmakers, possibly influenced by high-profile scandals involving figures like Wilbur Mills or Jim Wright (Fiorina & Jones, 2019).

The power dynamics between Congress and the presidency have evolved as well. Initially yielding significant authority during the New Deal era, congressional power waned during the Vietnam War and Watergate, only to gradually reemerge with legislation like the War Powers Act (1973) and the Congressional Budget Act (1974), which expanded Congress’s influence over military and fiscal policy (Snyder & Patrick, 2017). Despite this reassertion, cooperation between Congress and the presidency remains essential for legislative success, especially as presidential vetoes and partisan divides often complicate the process (Reed & Fenno, 2019). In areas such as environmental policy, immigration, and social welfare, collaboration depends on shared interests and political will, with Congress often acting as a policy counterweight to presidential initiatives.

Finally, the scenario addresses the polarized nature of contemporary Congress, characterized by intense partisanship and ideological divides. These divisions can impede the legislative process, making bipartisanship rare and rendering cooperation difficult during contentious issues. Nonetheless, instances of bipartisan support arise, particularly for issues of national importance or when strategic alliances are formed across party lines. The overall political fragmentation reflects broader trends in American politics, where entrenched party loyalty often supersedes policy consensus (Cox & McCubbins, 2017).

In conclusion, the U.S. Congress remains a cornerstone of American democracy, embodying principles of representation, deliberation, and institutional balance. While facing ongoing challenges of partisanship, ethics, and legislative gridlock, its enduring structure and evolving powers continue to influence the trajectory of national policymaking, serving as a vital check on executive authority and a forum for diverse interests.

References

  • Arnold, R. D. (2016). The Logic of Congressional Action. Yale University Press.
  • Carbaugh, R. J. (2018). International Economics (16th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Cox, G. W., & McCubbins, M. D. (2017). Legislative Leviathan: Party Government in the House. University of California Press.
  • Fenno, R. (2018). Home Style: House Members in Their Districts. Longman Publishing Group.
  • Fiorina, M. P., & Jones, C. (2019). Congress: The Electoral Connection. Yale University Press.
  • Jacobson, G. C. (2015). The Politics of Congressional Elections. Routledge.
  • Klotz, A., & Reddick, L. (2013). The Legislative Process. CQ Press.
  • Mann, T. E., & Ornstein, N. (2012). It’s Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided with the Politics of Extremism. Basic Books.
  • Pinkowski, J. (2020). How Laws Are Made. Chelsea House Publications.
  • Reed, S., & Indermaur, D. (2019). Representation in American Politics. Cambridge University Press.
  • Snyder, J. M., & Patrick, M. D. (2017). Congress and the Politics of Military Operations. Routledge.

Related Assignments