Cup and Saucer

(From CBS 2 School)
Cup and saucer is a metaphor used to differentiate the roles played by the House of Representatives and United States Senate.

Thomas Jefferson once expressed his doubts about the usefulness of the Senate. “Why did you pour that coffee into your saucer?” George Washington asked. “To cool it,” Jefferson replied. “Even so,” Washington declared, “we pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.”

Our bicameral legislature was divided for reasons other than compromising between big states and small states. Each house represents the people, yet they also possess remarkably different responsibilities. The House, modeled on the British House of Commons, represents the passions of the people. The Senate, modeled on the British House of Lords, responds to these passions with reason. James Madison saw the Senate as an “anchor,” a “necessary fence” against the “fickleness and passion” of the people. The Senate is to “cool” House legislation just as a saucer was used to cool hot tea. Today, with the advent of directly elected Senators and the 24/7 televised news cycle, it is more difficult to discern between the passions of the House and the Senate. You could say two overflowing cups now characterize our Congress. Who is going to clean up the mess?

Alexander Hamilton while speaking to a group of foreign visitors observing action on the floor of the House of Representatives said, “Here Sir, the people govern.” For this reason our legislative branch continues to be our democracies most prized possession.

Know how these terms empower the U.S. Congress:

Incumbency
Necessary and Proper
Special orders
Franking
Gerrymandering
Leadership
Logrolling
Constituent Service
Commerce Clause

Three unique review opportunities for students preparing for the AP Government Exam:

1. C-Span will be hosting a live call-in review program for AP Government and Politics students on Saturday morning, May 2nd.

Students are invited to call in during the last hour of the Washington Journal program on that morning with their review questions. Two AP teachers will help answer these questions.

The C-Span review program will air 9-10 am, Eastern (8-9 am, Central). Students from the Eastern/Central time zones can call 202-737-0001 with their questions; students from the Mountain/Pacific time zones can call 202-737-0002 on May 2nd.

2. WIND AM 560 radio in Chicago will be hosting a live AP Government review call-in show on the evening of Sunday, May 3rd from 9-11 pm (Central.)

Students can listen to the live stream at http://560wind.townhall.com/ by clicking the "Listen Live" link. They can call 312-642-5600 with questions on the evening of May 3rd.

3. Students who are not able to get their calls answered during these programs can visit www.cbs2chicago.com/school.   AP teachers, students and alums will monitor this blog and help answer last minute questions.


VIDEO: A Breakdown Of Congress