1. Do women‟s “emotions” affect their
military competence?
 Santorum clip

2. DO NOW- What does it mean to
“represent” one‟s constituents?
 Pretend you‟re in Tim Wahlberg‟s position- A
Republican Representative for Michigan‟s 7th
district. Obama decides he wants to declare war
on Switzerland, and you think it‟s a bad idea. But
your district disagrees! They want you to declare
war! The vote is today. Do you vote as a voice
for your constituents, and agree to the war? Or
do you vote with your conscience and vote
against the war?
 Take 4 minutes- jot down some thoughts.

3. Congressional Functions
 Previously On… (Last week): Lawmaking
 Money for their constituents- pork
 Today: Representation!
 You must please your constituents if you want to
stay in office! So every issue, every vote- must be
considered from your constituents‟ perspective.
 What if… you disagree?
 Tensions: Interests of “home” and national interest
 How can Congress work together?

4. Representation- A DILEMMA!
 Trustee vs. Delegate- Edmund Burke (English
philosopher)
 Votes in parliament- decided by his knowledge and
experience, allowing him to serve the public interest.
 Not all opinions are of equal value. Constituents should
get votes based on education (working class would get
fewest amt of votes)
 TRUSTEE- Act in favor of common good, trust in
your representative (even if it goes against interests
of constituencies)
 Solves problem of uninformed constituents with little
knowledge

5. Some (not-fun) facts
 Typical Congressman- white
Protestant male, 60 y.o.,
wealthy, lawyer
 Minorities/women
underrepresented

8. CongressionalLeadership- est.
by Article 1, Section 8
2011 – 112th Congress
The Obama Administration

9. 51 Dems,
2 Indp.,
47 Rep
193 Dems,
242 Reps

10. Speaker of the House
 Rep. John
Boehner
 Republican, Ohio
 Selected by the
majority party
 2nd in line of
presidential
succession

11. House Majority Leader
 Rep. Eric Cantor
 Republican,
Virginia
 Selected by the majority
party
 Acts as spokesperson
for majority party
 Organizes party, keeps
them together

12. House Minority Leader
 Rep. Nancy
Pelosi
 Democrat,
California
 Main job– keep the
party TOGETHER!
Maintain cohesion.
 Former Speaker of the
House – first ever
female speaker

13. President of the Senate
 Vice President
Joe Biden
 Democrat, Delaware
 Cannot take part in Senate
debate
 Can cast tie-breaking vote
 Rarely attends Senate
hearings

14. Senate Majority Leader
 Senator Harry
Reid
 Democrat,
Nevada
 Most powerful person in
the Senate
 Directs legislative
strategy

15. Senate Minority Leader
 Senator Mitch
McConnell
 Republican, Kentucky
 The minority leader‟s
main role is to
command the
minority‟s opposition
to the policies of the
majority

16. President Pro Tempore
 Senator Daniel Inouye
 Democrat, Hawaii
 Elected by the whole Senate
 Presides over the Senate in the
absence of the VP
 Highest ranking Asian-
American politician in American
history
 Most senior Senator („63)
 Has repped Hawaii since
statehood, was a volunteer at
Pearl Harbor

17. Michigan‟s Senators
 Carl Levin, Democrat  Debbie Stabenow,
 Chairman, Senate Armed Democrat
Services Committee
Senate Energy, Agricultural
 Senior senator (7th longest8 Cmt
sli serving)
Junior senator

18. Next On…
 Homework due- Tomorrow!
 Tuesday: Filibuster Video
 Wednesday: Quiz