PSCI Week 7 - Lecture notes 7 PDF

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KIMI KING...

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116th Congress (2019-2020) -most racially/ ethnically diverse in history(but women down slightly in Senate) -House 197 (Rep) v. 235 (Dem) + 3 Vacancies=435 -Senate 53(Rep) v. 41 (Dem) +2 Independents= -The democrats are in power of the house -The republicans are in power of the senate Limits on Congress: Cannot refuse to seat members -They can’t refuse to seat you, but they can seat you then exclude you Roy moore controversy -Sexaual assault allegations lImits on congress: Term limits -Prohibits members from holding office indefinitely -70s, 90s, 05-09 years of wave reforms Incumbency Effect ● Depends on whether seat is ○ Open seat- No incumbent running for office ○ Safe Seat- Party composition of district means 60%+ of regular voters from your party ○ Within marginal district means that a district may be up for grabs (Vote  split range 45-55%) 2005 Scandal and reform -Michael Scanlon former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay pled guilty to fraud in faking $23 million wire transfer Limits- Rule Changes & ethics Reform (2007) ● Requires Internet money trail: Fundraising, campaign contribution ● Cooling off period: Mst wait 2 years before becoming lobbyist after leaving congress ● Lobbying disclosure: Must report activities every 3 months on Internet ● No more bribe junkets: Organizations can’t travel with lobbyist longer than 1 day. Requires pre-approval ● Easier to challenge earmarks: Required Internet sponsor ● Party’s over:PRohibits congress from attending formal parties Sociological versus Agency Representation ● Sociologically representation ○ Demographics matter: Race, gender, class similarities mean representatives is better at representing ○ Religious distribution close to population at large ○ Typical profession= law or business ● Agency Representation ○ Representation matters: Members should spend spend time on casework -Congress is not a sociologically representative assembly -Best agents not necessarily demographically correct Cost of congress -Membership has its privileges

-Members make good money Rally around the flag effect (ex. 9/11) Retirement Benefits -Covered by the same retirement plans as other federal employees -Retirement benefits approximately 2-3 times what most private employers pay -Based on: Tenure in office, other federal service, age of retirement and average salary when leaving position Healthcare Benefits Travel-Trips home and abroad -Junkets  : Trips paid for by taxpayers...