Party Organization
Political parties room political establishments that typically seek come influence federal government policy by nominating candidates because that office.
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Learning Objectives
Describe the company of the Democratic and also Republican parties in U.S. Politics
Key Takeaways
Key PointsParties take part in electoral campaigns and educational outreach or protest actions. Parties often espouse one expressed ideology or vision bolstered by a created platform with certain goals, developing a coalition among disparate interests.The have to win famous support in a republic resulted in the American creation of political parties in the 1790s. American were particularly innovative in devising brand-new campaign approaches that linked public opinion v public plan through the party.The contemporary political party system in the United states is a two-party system overcame by the autonomous Party and also the Republican Party. These 2 parties have actually won every United states presidential election since 1852 and have managed the United says Congress since at least 1856.Key Termspolitical party: A political organization that subscribes come a specific ideology and seeks to acquire political power through depiction in government.two-party system: A two-party system is a device where two major political parties overcome voting in virtually all elections in ~ every level of federal government and, as a result, almost all elected officials room members of among the two significant parties.Introduction
A political party is a political organization that commonly seeks come influence federal government policy, commonly by nominating candidates v aligned politics views and trying to seat them in politics office. Parties get involved in electoral campaigns and educational outreach or protest actions. Parties often espouse an expressed belief or vision bolstered by a written platform with particular goals, forming a coalition amongst disparate interests. Throughout many of the history, American politics have actually been overcame by a two-party system. However, the United states Constitution has always been quiet on the concern of political parties; at the moment it was signed in 1787, there to be no parties in the nation. Indeed, no nation in the civilization had voter-based political parties. The have to win popular support in a republic brought about the American development of political parties in the 1790s. American were particularly innovative in devising new campaign approaches that attached public opinion through public policy through the party.
Political scientists and historians have divided the breakthrough of America’s two-party system into 5 eras. The contemporary two-party system is composed of the autonomous Party and also the Republican Party. In general, because the 1930s the democratic Party positions chin left of center in American politics, if the Republican Party positions chin as appropriate of center. Several 3rd parties likewise operate in the joined States and also from time to time, elect someone to neighborhood office.
Modern U.S. Political Party System
The contemporary political party system in the United claims is a two-party system dominated by the democratic Party and also the Republican Party. These two parties have won every United claims presidential election because 1852 and also have managed the United claims Congress since at least 1856.
The autonomous Party is among two major political next in the unified States. That is the earliest political party in the world. The democratic Party, since the department of the Republican Party in the election of 1912, has actually positioned itself as progressive and supporting labor in economic and also social matters. The financial philosophy of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which has actually strongly affected American liberalism, has shaped lot of the party’s agenda since 1932. Roosevelt’s new Deal coalition had regulated the White residence until 1968. In 2004, it was the biggest political party, with 72 million voter (42.6% of 169 million registered) explain affiliation. The chairman of the unified States, Barack Obama, is the fifteenth Democrat to organize the office, and also since the 2006 midterm elections, the democratic Party is the bulk party because that the United claims Senate.
Andrew Jackson: democracy hail Andrew Jackson together the founder the the party.
Key Takeaways
Key PointsThe formal function of together a convention is to select the party’s nominee because that President, as well as to embrace a statement of party principles and also goals well-known as the communication and adopt the rules because that the party’s activities, consisting of the presidential nominating procedure for the following election cycle.Generally, usage of ” presidential nominating convention ” describes the two significant parties’ quadrennial events: the democratic National Convention and the Republican nationwide Convention.From the suggest of view of the parties, the convention cycle begins with the contact to Convention. Commonly issued around 18 months in advance, the speak to is an invitation from the national party to the state and territory parties to convene and also select a presidential nominee.Each party set its very own rules for the participation and format that the convention. Broadly speaking, each U.S. State and also territory party is apportioned a select variety of voting representatives, individually recognized as delegates and collectively together the delegation.The convention is generally held in a significant city selected by the national party organization 18–24 months before the choice is to it is in held. Together the two major conventions have grown into large, publicized to work with significant economic impact, cities today compete vigorously.Key Termsplanks: Planks refer to the goals and also proposals in the platform of a political party.presidential nominating convention: Convention in i beg your pardon presidential and vice presidential candidates are determined, party platforms room established, and rules administer the choice cycle room adopted. The most significant presidential nominating conventions encompass the Democratic and also Republican national Conventions.party platform: A statement of principles and also purpose approve by a politics party.Introduction
A United says presidential nominating convention is a political convention organized every four years in the United claims by many of the politics parties who will be fielding nominees in the upcoming U.S. Presidential election. The formal purpose of together a convention is to pick the party’s nominee because that President, as well as to adopt a explain of party principles and goals recognized as the communication and embrace the rules for the party’s activities, including the presidential nominating process for the following election cycle. Due to alters in choice laws, the primary and also caucus calendar, and also the way in i beg your pardon political projects are run, conventions since the latter half of the 20th century have virtually abdicated their initial roles, and also are today mostly ceremonial affairs.
1876 democratic National Convention: The 1876 democratic National Convention at the merchants Exchange structure in St. Louis, Missouri.
Generally, intake of “presidential nominating convention” describes the two significant parties’ quadrennial events: the democratic National Convention and the Republican national Convention. Part minor parties likewise select their nominees through convention, consisting of the environment-friendly Party, Socialist Party USA, Libertarian Party, structure Party, and also Reform Party USA.
Roll contact DNC 2008: Roll speak to of states throughout the 2008 democratic National Convention.
Logistics
From the allude of view of the parties, the convention cycle starts with the call to Convention. Typically issued around 18 month in advance, the call is an invitation from the national party come the state and also territory next to convene to pick a presidential nominee. It also sets out the variety of delegates to it is in awarded come each, and the rules for the nomination process.
Each party to adjust its own rules for the participation and format that the convention. Generally speaking, every U.S. State and territory party is apportioned a select variety of voting representatives, individually well-known as delegates and also collectively together the delegation. Each party supplies its very own formula because that determining the size of each delegation, factoring in such considerations as population, relationship of the state’s conference representatives or state federal government officials who are members the the party, and the state’s voting patterns in ahead presidential elections. The an option of separation, personal, instance delegates and also their alternates is likewise governed by the bylaws of each state party, or in some cases by state law. The 2004Democratic national Convention counted 4,353 delegates and 611 alternates. The 2004 Republican nationwide Convention had actually 2,509 delegates and 2,344 alternates.
The convention is frequently held in a major city selected by the nationwide party organization 18–24 months before the election is to it is in held. As the two major conventions have actually grown right into large, publicized work with significant economic impact, cities today complete vigorously to be awarded hold responsibilities, citing their meeting venues, lodging facilities, and entertainment and offering financial incentives. Historically, Midwestern cities such together Chicago, Illinois—which since 1860 has held 25 Republican and also Democratic Conventions combined, more than any other urban facility in the USA—have come to be the favored hosts.
Proceedings
Each convention produce a declare of values known together its platform, include goals and proposals recognized as planks. Relatively little that a party platform is also proposed together public policy. Much of the language is generic, while various other sections are narrowly written to appeal to factions or interest teams within the party. Due to the fact that the 1970s, voting has actually for the most component been perfunctory; the selection of the major parties’ nominees have rarely remained in doubt, for this reason a single ballot has constantly been sufficient. Each delegation announces its vote tallies, normally accompanied v some boosterism of their state or territory. The delegation may pass, nominally come retally your delegates’ preferences, however often to permit a different delegation to provide the top candidate the honor of spreading the majority-making vote.
1976 Republican nationwide Convention: chairman Gerald Ford, together the Republican nominee, shakes hands with nomination enemy Ronald Reagan top top the closing night that the 1976 Republican nationwide Convention. Vice-Presidential Candidate Bob Dole is on the much left, then Nancy Reagan, branch Ronald Reagan is in ~ the center shaking hands with President Gerald Ford, Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller is just to the best of Ford, followed by Susan Ford and an initial Lady Betty Ford.
The evening’s speeches are booked for significant speeches by notable, respected public figures. The speakers at the 2004 autonomous convention contained Ted Kennedy, a forty-year veteran of the United states Senate, and also Jimmy Carter, a former democratic President, while in ~ the Republican convention speakers included Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger the California and Governor George Pataki of brand-new York, 2 of the largest states in the nation.
The final day that the convention usually attributes the formal acceptance speeches from the nominees because that president and vice president. Regardless of recent controversy maintaining that recent conventions to be scripted from start to end, and also that very small news comes out of the convention, the accept speech has always been televised by the networks, because it receive the highest possible ratings the the convention. In addition, the halls of the convention space packed in ~ this time, with plenty of party loyalists sneaking in. Afterwards, balloons room usually dropped and the delegates celebrate the nomination.
The national Party Organization
American political parties have no formal company at the nationwide level and also mainly raise funds through national committees.
Learning Objectives
Explain the background of political party organization and the meaning of party committees because that each the the major political parties
Key Takeaways
Key PointsThe modern-day political party device in the United claims is a two-party system conquered by the democratic Party and also the Republican Party.Among the two major parties, the democratic Party normally positions itself as left-of-center, when the Republican Party typically positions itself as right-of-center.The two major parties, in particular, have no formal company at the nationwide level controlling membership, activities, or plan positions.Party identification becomes rather formalized when a human runs for partisan office. In most states, this way declaring oneself a candidate for the nomination the a details party and intent to go into that party’s primary election.At the commonwealth level, each of the two significant parties has actually a nationwide committee the acts as the hub because that fundraising and also campaign activities. The most far-reaching of these room the Hill committees, which job-related to elect candidates to each house of Congress.Key Termshill committees: The Hill committees are the common name because that political party committees that work to selected members of their very own party to United says Congress (“Hill” refers to Capitol Hill, wherein the chair of Congress, the Capitol, is located).two-party system: A two-party system is a system where two significant political parties overcome voting in practically all elections in ~ every level of federal government and, together a result, nearly all chosen officials space members of one of the two significant parties.Introduction
The contemporary political party system in the United states is a two-party system conquered by the democratic Party and also the Republican Party. These two parties have actually won every United says presidential election since 1852 and also have controlled the United says Congress due to the fact that at the very least 1856. 3rd parties have actually achieved relatively minor representation at national and also state levels. Among the two significant parties, the autonomous Party typically positions itself together left-of-center in American politics and supports a modern liberal platform, while the Republican Party normally positions itself together right-of-center and also supports a conservative platform.
National Republican Elephant: “The Third-Term Panic” by thomas Nast, initially published in Harper’s newspaper 7 November 1874.
Democratic Party Logo: logo design of the democratic Party the the unified States. Irradiate blue D within a darker blue circle.
Many boy or 3rd political parties show up from time come time. They serve as means to advocate plans that the two significant political parties eventually adopt. At assorted times, the Socialist Party, the Farmer-Labor Party and also the Populist Party had significant local strength, and also then faded away. Some exceptions exist, choose Minnesota’s Farmer–Labor Party merging right into the state’s democratic Party. In ~ present, the Libertarian Party is the many successful third party. New York State has actually a variety of additional 3rd parties that sometimes run their very own candidates because that office or nominate the nominees of the two main parties. In the district of Columbia, the D.C. Statehood Party has served as a solid third party behind the democratic Party and also Republican Party.
Organization that American politics parties
American political parties are an ext loosely arranged than those in various other countries. The two significant parties, in particular, have actually no formal company at the national level that controls membership, activities, or policy positions. Thus, because that an American come say that he or she is a member of the democratic or Republican party is quite different from a brittonic stating the he or she is a member the the Conservative or work party.
In the joined States, one can often become a “member” that a party just by stating that fact. Together participation does not restrict one’s selections in any way. It also does not offer a human any details rights or obligations within the party, various other than possibly enabling that person to poll in that party’s major elections. A human being may pick to attend meetings that one regional party committee one day and also another party committee the following day. The sole factor that brings one “closer come the action” is the quantity and quality of joining in party activities.
Party Identification
Party to know becomes rather formalized as soon as a human runs because that partisan office. In many states, this means declaring oneself a candidate for the nomination that a details party and also intent to get in that party’s major election. A party committee may choose to endorse one or one more of those seeking the nomination, however in the finish the an option is approximately those who pick to poll in the primary.
The result is the American political parties have weak main organizations and also little main ideology. A party cannot avoid a human being who disagrees with the majority of positions of the party or proactively works against the party’s aims from explain party membership, so long as the voters who pick to vote in the major elections selected that person. As soon as in office, an elected official may adjust parties merely by advertising such intent.
Both parties have actually stopped being engines because that voter mobilization, however. Fewer and fewer Americans recognize with one another party, preferring instead to be well-known as “independent” voters. Because that example, a 2011 USA Today review of state voter rolls indicates that registered Democrats decreased in 25 of 28 states. Democrats to be still the biggest political party with more than 42 million voter (compared with 30 million Republicans and also 24 million independents). But in 2011 Democrats number shrank 800,000, and from 2008 castle were under by 1.7 million, or 3.9%
Party Committees
At the federal level, each of the two significant parties has actually a nationwide committee that acts together the hub because that fundraising and also campaign activities. The precise composition of this committees is various for each party, but they are consisted of primarily of representatives from state parties and also affiliated organizations. However, the national committees perform not have the strength to straight the tasks of members of the party.
Political parties: The prize of the Republican Party in the U.S.
Both parties likewise have separate project committees which work-related to selected candidates in ~ a particular level. The most significant of these room the Hill committees; the usual name because that the politics party committees that job-related to elect members of their very own party to United claims Congress (“Hill” refers to Capitol Hill, whereby the chair of Congress, the Capitol, is located, ). The four significant committees are part of the Democratic and Republican parties and each work to aid members of their party get chosen to each house.
Aerial see of Capitol Hill: Aerial watch of Capitol Hill showing the Capitol, can be fried Court Building, Library of Congress, and also congressional office buildings.
Key Takeaways
Key PointsState parties consist that state central committees, state conventions and also congressional ar committees.National Committees are the national policy creators of each party. Chairpersons space usually selected by the president of the party in power and also the party nationwide committee choose the chairperson for the other party.At the local level, over there is a president and also a president pro tempore in city councils. Normally the majority party (i.e. Democrat or Republican ) has the president in their party. The city is separation into districts in which the councilman or councilwoman represents.Linkage institutions carry out a way for civilization to get affiliated in government and the politics process.Political parties provide many means for people to become connected in the politics process, from working to acquire votes or to actually running because that office. They are not the only affiliation institutions; others include blogs, non- partisan local governments, and school boards.Key Termscity council: A governing human body of people elected to oversee administration of a city and also represent the understand of residents.chairpersons: nationwide Committees room the nationwide policy creators of every party. Chairpersons are usually selected by the president of the party in power and the party nationwide committee chooses the chairperson because that the other party.linkage institutions: link institutions administer a way for world to get associated in government and also the political process.Introduction
The company of next is generally at three different levels: national, state, and local. National is composed of the quadrennial nationwide convention, the party’s national chairpersons, and also the party’s national committee. Next is the state, which consists of state main committees and state conventions, and also congressional ar committees. Lastly, there is the local level of organizations, which incorporate city and also county committees, precinct and ward committees, party activists and volunteers, and party identifiers and voters. Recent trends in between the three levels space that they tend to overlap, and more often climate not, state and local parties have much more influence than the national party around their region, and their decisions have tendency to override those of the nationwide party.
Tea Party nationwide Rally: Tea Party protesters walk towards the United states Capitol during the Taxpayer march on Washington, September 12, 2009.
The basic structure that a political party would certainly be national Committees, Leadership, national Conventions, States and Localities, and informal groups. National Committees room the nationwide policy creators of every party. Chairpersons room usually selected through the chairman of the party in power and also the party nationwide committee choose the chairperson because that the various other party. Nationwide conventions are held every four years because that nominating presidential candidates. Parties are structured in ~ State and also Local levels. Informal groups would be teams like interest teams or the national Federation of democratic Women.
Both parties additionally have separate project committees which job-related to selected candidates at a specific level. The most far-reaching of these are the Hill committees, which job-related to elect candidates to each house of Congress. State next exist in every fifty states, though their frameworks differ according to state law, and also party rule at both the national and the state level.
Political Party strength in State Governments
Currently, the bulk of the overall number of seats hosted in the state legislatures has actually been switching between the 2 parties every couple of years. Together of the U.S. Gubernatorial vote of 2010, the Republican party stop an outright bulk of about 440 v 3,890 seats (53% that total) contrasted to the Democrat party’s variety of 3,450 (47% of total) seats elected on a partisan ballot. Of the 7,382 seat in all of the state legislatures combined, independents and third parties account for just 15 members, no counting the 49 members that the Nebraska Legislature, which is the only legislature in the country to organize non-partisan poll to determine its members. As result of the outcomes of the 2010 elections, republic took regulate of an additional 19 state legislature chambers, providing them majority control the both chambers in 25 claims versus the Democrats’ majority control the both chambers in only 16 states, v 8 claims having break-up or inconclusive regulate of both chambers (not consisting of Nebraska); previous come the 2010 elections, it was Democrats who controlled both chambers in 27 says versus the Republican party having full control in only 14 states, with eight says divided and also Nebraska gift nonpartisan.
Local federal government in the unified States
Local government in the United says is structured in accordance v the laws of the various individual states, territories, and also the district of Columbia. Commonly each state has at least two different tiers of local government: counties and municipalities. Some states more have your counties split into townships. Over there are several different types of local government at the municipal level, typically reflecting the demands of different levels of populace densities; typical examples incorporate the city, town, borough, and village.
Parties in City Councils
Most cities have City Councils. These room sometimes chosen officials who accomplish for a portion of the year ~ above designated days and hours. Over there is a president and also a president agree tempore in city councils. Generally the majority party (i.e. Democrat or Republican) has the president in your party. The city is split into districts in which the councilman or councilwoman represents.
Linkage Institutions
Linkage institutions administer a way for people to get associated in government and the political process. Politics parties carry out many ways for people to become associated in the politics process, from functioning to acquire votes or to actually running for office. They are not the only link institutions; others incorporate blogs, non-partisan local governments, and also school boards.
Congressional project Committees
Congressional campaign Committees exist for both Democrats and also Republicans, and work to elect candidates from every party come the residence of Representatives.
Learning Objectives
Identify the roles and responsibilities of the Congressional project Committees for both significant parties
Key Takeaways
Key PointsThey pat a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing gyeongju in districts that are expected to yield politically remarkable or nearby elections.Of the four congressional project committees, the DCCC, v a employee of 25, has the biggest in-house research department.The place of DCCC committee chair was assumed through Rahm Emanuel after ~ the fatality of the ahead chair, Bob Matsui at the end of the 2004 choice cycle. Emanuel led the autonomous Party’s effort to record the bulk in the home of to represent in the 2006 elections.The national Republican conference Committee (NRCC) is the Republican Hill committee which works to selected Republicans to the unified States residence of Representatives.It support the choice of republicans to the residence through direct financial contributions to candidates and also Republican Party organizations; technical and research aid to Republican candidates and also Party organizations; voter registration, education and also turnout programs.Key Termsnational republican congressional committee: The national Republican conference Committee (NRCC) is the Republican Hill committee which functions to elect Republicans to the unified States residence of Representatives.congressional caucus: a group of members that the United says Congress that meets to pursue common legislative objectivesdemocratic congressional campaign committee: The democratic Congressional project Committee is the democratic Hill committee for the joined States home of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to the body.Democratic Party
The autonomous Congressional campaign Committee is the democratic Hill committee for the joined States home of Representatives, functioning to elect Democrats to the body. Lock play a an important role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and also organizing gyeongju in districts that room expected to productivity politically noteworthy or nearby elections. The structure of the committee consists, essentially, of the Chairperson, their staff, and also other autonomous members of congress that serve in roles supporting the features of the committee. The Chairperson of the DCCC is the 4th ranking position amongst House Democrats, after the minority Leader, the minority Whip and also the autonomous Caucus Chairperson.
Of the four congressional campaign committees, the DCCC, with a staff of 25, has the biggest in-house research study department. In a February 2012 file of the department, Roll speak to wrote that “The DCCC’s team of mainly 20-somethings researches opposition targets for eight weeks in ~ a time, scouring news clips and YouTube videos and traveling throughout the country to comb through public records, every in wishes of finding a great hit. Discoveries go right into hundred-page research books on their targets the are used as bait to recruit candidates, leaked to reporters or cited in campaign advertisements and mail pieces.”
The place of DCCC committee chair to be assumed by Rahm Emanuel ~ the death of the ahead chair, Bob Matsui in ~ the end of the 2004 election cycle. Emanuel led the autonomous Party’s effort to catch the bulk in the home of representatives in the 2006 elections. After ~ Emanuel’s election as chairman the the democratic Caucus, kris Van Hollen came to be committee chair because that the 110th Congress, and thus for the 2008 elections. He ongoing through the 2010 elections. For the 2012 election cycle, democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed congressman Steve Israel to serve as the committee’s chair.
Republican Party
Pete Sessions: Congressman Pete Sessions, chairman of the NRCC.
The national Republican conference Committee (NRCC) is the Republican Hill committee which works to selected Republicans come the united States residence of Representatives. The NRCC was formed in 1866, when the Republican caucuses the the House and Senate developed a “Congressional Committee”. It supports the choice of republic to the house through direct financial contribute to candidates and also Republican Party organizations; technical and also research help to Republican candidates and also Party organizations; voter registration, education and turnout programs; and other Party-building activities. It is a registered 527 group, and also its existing slogan is “Building a Lasting Majority.”
The NRCC is governed by the chairman, U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (TX-32), and also an executive committee written of Republican members that the U.S. Residence of Representatives. The Chairman is elected by the home Republican Conference after each Congressional election. Republican Leader john Boehner and also the 7 other chosen leaders the the Republican Conference the the residence of Representatives offer as ex-officio members that the NRCC’s executive committee.
The Party in Government
A majority government is a government developed by a administrate party that has an absolute bulk of seat in the legislature or parliament.
Key Takeaways
Key PointsIn the joined States, divided government describes a case in which one party controls the White House and also another party controls one or both homes of the United says Congress.Divided federal government is suggested by part to it is in an undesirable product that the separation of powers in the unified States’ political system.In the joined States, the constitution is designed to produce conflict in between the executive and legislative branches the government.Despite the perceived problems of separated government, the President and also Congress are often able, the end of necessity, to establish an effective working relationship.Key Termsmajority government: A bulk government is a government created by a administrate party that has an absolute majority of seats in the legislative or conference in a parliament system. This is as opposed come a minority government, where also the largest party wins just a plurality the seats and thus need to constantly cheap for support from other parties in order to happen legislation and avoid being beat on motions of no confidence.divided government: A instance in i beg your pardon one political party controls the White home while another party controls the majority of the Congressmajority party: the party in a two-party political mechanism that frequently holds more than 50% of the seat in the legislatureIntroduction
A bulk government is a government created by a governing party that has an absolute bulk of seats in the legislative or conference in a houses of parliament system. This is together opposed to a decimal government, where even the biggest party wins only a plurality of seats and also thus have to constantly bargain for support from other parties in bespeak to happen legislation and avoid being defeated on movements of no confidence. The hatchet “majority government” may additionally be supplied for a steady coalition of two or an ext parties to type an pure majority. One example of together an electoral coalition is in Australia, whereby the Liberal and also National parties have run as an electoral bloc because that decades.
Another example is the existing coalition federal government in the united Kingdom, i m sorry is written of the Conservative and Liberal democratic parties. The conservatives won the many seats that any solitary party in the 2010 election, yet fell brief of an absolute majority. However, by combining through the Liberal democracy a solid majority in the residence of Commons to be created. This is the an initial true coalition federal government in the UK because World battle II.
Divided Government
In the united States, split government describes a situation in i m sorry one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both residences of the United says Congress. Divided government is argued by part to be an undesirable product that the separation of powers in the united States’ political system. Previously in the 20th century, divided government to be rare, but since the 1970s it has become increasingly common. Greatly in part due come the Watergate scandal which has popularized the idea the a divided government is a helpful for the country.
Some conservative and libertarian teams see divided government as beneficial, since it might encourage an ext policing of those in power by the opposition, and also limiting spending and the growth of undesirable laws. In Parliamentary systems such together the joined Kingdom, the executive depends on Parliamentary support for its existence. In the united States, however, the constitution is designed to produce conflict between the executive and legislative branches that government. Despite the perceived troubles of split government, the President and also Congress are regularly able, the end of necessity, to establish an effective working relationship.
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Divided federal government in the united States: Graphical explicate of the party department of U.S. Congress, 1933-2009.