Changes

In the United States and in 49 out of 50 states there is a "bicameral" legislature, which means there are '''''two''''' legislative bodies.  In Congress this legislature consists of the separate entities (or chambers) of the House of Representatives and the Senate.   

In the United States and in 49 out of 50 states there is a "bicameral" legislature, which means there are '''''two''''' legislative bodies.  In Congress this legislature consists of the separate entities (or chambers) of the House of Representatives and the Senate.   

At the state level, state legislatures have a Senate but often use a different name for their other legislative body. In New Jersey the equivalent of the U.S. House of Representatives is called the "Assembly".  Because the term of office for the Senate is longer than for the Assembly (or House), politicians aspire to eventually be elected to the Senate.  Nebraska has a "unicameral" legislature: only one legislative body rather than two.

At the state level, state legislatures have a Senate but often use a different name for their other legislative body. In New Jersey the equivalent of the U.S. House of Representatives is called the "Assembly".  Because the term of office for the Senate is longer than for the Assembly (or House), politicians aspire to eventually be elected to the Senate.  

 

Bills are designated by the chamber in which they are introduced:  "A 555" means "Assembly bill number 555" in a state legislature.  "H.B. 555" means "House Bill No. 555" in Congress; "S.B. 555" means "Senate Bill No. 555." Nebraska has a "unicameral" legislature: only one legislative body rather than two.  It refers to its bills as "L 555"; the "L" stands for its one and only legislative body.  '''''The state legislatures and Congress are in completely separate systems; no bills go from one to the other'''''.

When one political party controls one of the legislative bodies, and the other political party controls the other legislative body or the executive branch, then this is called "divided government."  While some complain that it is harder to enact laws when there is divided government, others observe that divided government makes each side more responsive to the public.  Competition is usually a good thing in bringing out the best in everyone.

When one political party controls one of the legislative bodies, and the other political party controls the other legislative body or the executive branch, then this is called "divided government."  While some complain that it is harder to enact laws when there is divided government, others observe that divided government makes each side more responsive to the public.  Competition is usually a good thing in bringing out the best in everyone.

=== "5.  If a police officer pulls over a car on the New Jersey Turnpike ...." ===

=== "5.  If a police officer pulls over a car on the New Jersey Turnpike ...." ===

Police officers on the NJ Turnpike work for the state government, but most police officers work for local government (e.g., Newark, or Bedminister Township).  No police officers work for the federal government.  There are really three levels of government: federal, state and local, although the "state and local" levels are often grouped together.

Police officers on the NJ Turnpike work for the state government, but most police officers work for local government (e.g., Newark, or Bedminster Township).  No police officers work for the federal government.  There are really three levels of government: federal, state and local, although the "state and local" levels are often grouped together.

=== "7.  Explain what gerrymandering is." ===

=== "7.  Explain what gerrymandering is." ===

== "All Politics Is Local" ==

== "All Politics Is Local" ==

A famous -- and often overlooked -- observation about politics this this:  "all politics is local."  The media (television, national newspapers, and even the internet) tend to cover national personalities and issues, but it is at a local level (your own town, legislative district, or even state) where the most important political decisions occur.  It is at the local level where an individual can have the greatest influence in making the community a better place.

A famous -- and often overlooked -- observation about politics is this:  "all politics is local."  The media (television, national newspapers, and even the internet) tend to cover national personalities and issues, but it is at a local level (your own town, legislative district, or even state) where the most important political decisions occur.  It is at the local level where an individual can have the greatest influence in making the community a better place.

The legislature is largely defined by local politics, and rightly so.  In New Jersey each resident has two Assemblymen and one Senator representing him in the statehouse, and one member of the House of Representatives and two Senators representing him in Congress.  Although both the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are part of "Congress", the term "congressman" typically applies only to members of the House of Representatives.  So your "congressman" is the elected official who represents your congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.  He is elected every two years on Election Day, and you can have an influence on whether he is reelected or defeated, either in his political party's primary (held in early June in New Jersey) or in the general election in early November.

The legislature is largely defined by local politics, and rightly so.  In New Jersey each resident has two Assemblymen and one Senator representing him in the statehouse, and one member of the House of Representatives and two Senators representing him in Congress.  Although both the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are part of "Congress", the term "congressman" typically applies only to members of the House of Representatives.  So your "congressman" is the elected official who represents your congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.  He is elected every two years on Election Day, and you can have an influence on whether he is reelected or defeated, either in his political party's primary (held in early June in New Jersey) or in the general election in early November.

Due to gerrymandering, most congressional seats in New Jersey (as in most states) are "safe seats," which means one of the two major parties has an almost insurmountable advantage on Election Day.  In other words, whomever the controlling political party nominates in its primary for the House of Representatives is likely to win the general election against the other party's candidate.  But it may be possible to defeat the candidate in his party's primary election that nominates him in June, although it may take several election cycles (repetitive challenges every two years against his reelection) before succeeding at that.

Due to gerrymandering, most congressional seats in New Jersey (as in most states) are "safe seats," which means one of the two major parties has an almost insurmountable advantage on Election Day.  In other words, whomever the controlling political party nominates in its primary for the House of Representatives is likely to win the general election against the other party's candidate.  But it may be possible to defeat the candidate in his party's primary election that nominates him in June, although it may take several election cycles (repetitive challenges every two years against his reelection) before succeeding at that.

Because more than 300 out of 435 Houae of Representatives are "safe seats" controlled by Democrats or Republicans, does that mean the "House" is always controlled by the same political party?  No, because there are still 50-100 seats that are toss-ups on election day, and that is enough to tip the majority to one side or the other.  Due to landslide victories by Republicans in 2010 in the "midterm elections" (elections in a year not divisible by four, such that there is no presidential candidate on the ballot), Republicans have a substantial majority in the "House" in 2012.  But that control could be lost on Election Day.

Because more than 300 out of 435 House of Representatives are "safe seats" controlled by Democrats or Republicans, does that mean the "House" is always controlled by the same political party?  No, because there are still 50-100 seats that are toss-ups on election day, and that is enough to tip the majority to one side or the other.  Due to landslide victories by Republicans in 2010 in the "midterm elections" (elections in a year not divisible by four, such that there is no presidential candidate on the ballot), Republicans have a substantial majority in the "House" in 2012.  But that control could be lost on Election Day.

== Homework ==

== Homework ==

'''Extra credit''' (answer two of the following four questions):

'''Extra credit''' (answer two of the following four questions):

9. Explain the role of committees in Congress, with examples.

9. Explain the role of committees in Congress, with actual or hypothetical examples.

<br>10. The constitutionality of "ObamaCare" was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2012 based on which clause(s)?  Discuss.

<br>10. The constitutionality of "ObamaCare" was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2012 based on which clause(s) of Article I of the Constitution?  Discuss.

<br>11. Draft a new law that Congress would have the power to pass to give additional protection to homeschooling.

<br>11. Draft a new law that Congress would have the power to pass to give additional protection to homeschooling.

<br>12. Which party controls the House of Representatives today, and by what margin (approximation is fine)?  E.g., is it controlled by Democrats by a 235-200 margin?  What do you think the margin will be in January 2013?

<br>12. Which political party controls the House of Representatives today, and by what margin (approximation is fine)?  E.g., is it controlled by Democrats by a 235-200 margin?  What do you think the margin will be in January 2013?

You can post your answers at [[American Government Homework Two]].

You can post your answers at [[American Government Homework Two]].

[[Category:American Government lectures]]

[[Category:American Government lectures]]