Chapter 11: Congress

Synopsis We expect the Congress to make wise policy decisions in a democratic fashion. But what type of representation defines a "democratic" legislature? The founding fathers struggled over the apportionment of the House and the Senate to try to balance competing views of what a representative democracy should look like. When we argue today over how to improve congressional performance, we still must think about questions of representation.

The policymaking cycle in the Congress begins with issues reaching the congressional agenda. Once Congress is ready to fashion legislation, the work begins in committee. Policy is most closely scrutinized and most of the decisions over the substance of legislation are made in committee. The authority of the committee system promotes pluralism in the Congress. The leaders in the Congress can play an important role in building coalitions for legislation as it emerges from committee. Oversight can be thought of as both the final state of one legislative cycle and the beginning of another. It is the final stage in the sense that oversight activity is directed at finding out how well the legislation that was passed is working. At the same time, it provides crucial information to members of Congress to help them amend existing legislation. That is, oversight helps to start the cycle of legislating all over again.

When legislation does reach the floor, what influences the way a member of Congress votes? This chapter examines various factors that can have influence, includinginfluence, political parties, the president, constituents, and interest groups. then focuses on oversight. Oversight can be thought of as both the final state of one legislative cycle and the beginning of another. It is the final stage in the sense that oversight activity is directed at finding out how well the legislation that was passed is working. At the same time, it provides crucial information to members of Congress to help them amend existing legislation. That is, oversight helps to start the cycle of legislating all over again.

The end of the chapter turns once again to representation. Members of Congress are caught between the needs of their constituencies and what is best for the country as a whole. The classic question is posed: Should senators and representatives act as trustees or delegates? This debate is relevant to one of the larger themes of the book. Members of Congress who act as delegates help to promote pluralism in the Congress. If we decide we want a more majoritarian Congress, we need a fundamental reform of our party system.