Pyramids of Congress

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Pyramids of Congress

• Chapter 7 Sec. 2,3,4

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Area 1 Investigations Over-sight!

• How by being embarrassed in a war against Native
  Americans (1792)!
• In US Constitution? No, gave the power to
  themselves due to need to find answers to above
  problem
• Which Committee? Select Committee
• Length what it involves take a few days or
  months they collect evidence hear from
  witnesses!

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Area 1 cont.

• Reasons
• Corruption -- Negligence
• Bribery -- Fraud
• Abuse -- Other crimes misdemean.
• Tools of investigation Committee usually asks
  for witnesses to come forward, if they dont they
  are subpoenaed (legal order to show up), all
  witnesses take the oath to tell the truth.,
  but if they commit perjury (lie) they can be held
  for contempt (obstruction), however if they fear
  they will get in trouble for telling the truth,
  congress can offer immunity (get out of jail
  card)!

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Area 1 cont.

• Over-sight Congresss job to review how
  effectively the executive branch carries out laws
  congress passes.
• Need to keep watch over executive branch
• Principles Checks balances
• How Through executive reports to Congress, Each
  standing committee must review how its laws are
  being carried out on a continuing basis

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Area 2 Taxing SpendingChap. 7 sec. 2

• Role of US Congress in collecting taxes from its
  constituents?
• Congress told by Constitution to collect taxes
  spend it the way they see fit
• House through Ways Means Committee, can
  decides how to collect taxes to listen or
  ignore presidents tax request
• Senate Committee on Finance may propose
  amendments to the bill, but only house can right
  the bills

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Area 2 Taxing Spending contChapter 7 sec. 2

• Who is in charge of spending the US tax dollars?
  How does this process work? What are some
  problems?
• Power of Appropriation power to approve govt.
  spending belongs to Congress, they must pass
  spending bills on how this money to be spent

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Area 2 Taxing Spending contChapter 7 sec. 2

• How money is appropriated
• 1. Authorization bill sets up a program, and how
  much set aside for that program
• 2. Make an appropriation bill Once agency
  carrying out program is set up, it can request
  funding through an Appropriation bill, which
  would be released through congress
• Most tax (70) already spent, only 30 for new
  year
• Uncontrollables Money already set up (SS, debt,
  contracts already in place)
• Entitlements social programs already in place
  (welfare, Medicare)

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Area 3 Helping ConstituentsChapter 7 sec. 4

• What is casework? How is it handled? What is its
  purpose?
• 1. Casework congressman helping constituent w/ a
  problem involving the govt.
• Handled by a caseworker (staff member), but if a
  big problem, congressman might do it all
  him/herself
• Purpose help solve problems usually with an
  executive agency, also directly helping
  constituent will help them get reelected

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Area 3 Helping Constituents contChapter 7 sec.
4

• What are 2 other ways members of congress help
  their districts or state?
• 2. Public Work Legislation bills dealing with
  local projects (dams, bridges, highways) which
  can bring jobs federal money to state/district
  reelection
• Many times looked at negatively and called
  Pork-barrel legislation term used for wasteful
  spending
• Logrolling when too many Pork projects are
  approved when lawmakers follow the I scratch
  your back later you will scratch mine

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Area 3 Helping Constituents cont

• 3. Grants Contracts money set aside to carry
  out certain govt. programs projects
• Govt. will give these grants projects to
  particular states that meet the conditions of the
  program
• Can mean lots of jobs money reelection
• No bills or process of how a bill becomes a law
  required here!