Two Chambers, Two Parties

Representation and a Representative: Judy Chu

A second look at Federalist 51:

But it is not possible to give to each department an equal power of self-defense. In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them, by different modes of election and different principles of action, as little connected with each other as the nature of their common functions and their common dependence on the society will admit. It may even be necessary to guard against dangerous encroachments by still further precautions.

Size
:

Congress and Institutionalization 


House Session (1/15/13):



Senate Session (1/28/13):

 

Room draw (yes, it's just like Claremont...)

Give Up Pay? Many Lawmakers Would Feel Little Pain

Article today in the NY Times about the net worth of members of Congress- related to our discussion yesterday.

But behind the “no budget, no pay” proposal, which the House passed when it voted to temporarily extend the debt limit last week, is also a basic reality: many of those who support the concept are so wealthy that their Congressional paychecks are little more than a rounding error. The Senate may pass the measure as early as Wednesday.

What Is Congress?

News:

• Immigration
• Recess appointments
• Filibuster

The British House of Commons, January 23, 2013:



The US House of Representatives, January 23, 2013:

• Article I of the Constitution
• Federalist 48 ("impetuous vortex") and Federalist 51 ("to render them...")
• Descriptive representation and the 113th Congress
• Congressional pay and benefits and the 27th Amendment
• The richest members
• Burke's speech to the Bristol electors
• Judy Chu website

Senate Democrats v. House Republicans