Ch13+-+Congress

"It can probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress." -Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain)

Discussion 1: Should the number of terms served by members of Congress be limited, as they are for the president? If not, what justification exists for imposing term requirement on the president but not on Congress? Wouldn't corruption be less likely if members of Congress were regularly rotated in office?



Discussion 2: Congressional scandals are classified as financial, sexual, and political. Which do you consider more or less serious? Why? What information should be provided in the media coverage of candidates and officeholders? Is it more important tha the voters learn about politicians' character of issue stances?



READING ASSIGNMENTS  "Federalist No. 57", Lasser p. 274 Edmund Burke, Speech []
 * 1) How might a member of Congress seek to balance his or her role as the representative of a local district with the sometimes conflicting role of acting in the interest of an entire nation?

"Party Leaders and the Legislative Process", Lasser p. 277


 * 1) What are some of the characteristics of the "new legislative process," according to Barbara Sinclair? How does the new legislative process differ from the traditional legislative process?
 * 2) What are the implications of the new legislative process for the role of the individual legislators? For committee and subcommittee government? For the relationship between Congress and White House? For representative government in the United States?