Women In Congress Research Paper
Introduction
In forming a government for the people, by the people, and of the people, our Founding Fathers developed the idea a bi-cameral legislature. This Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and Senate, thus became known as the people's branch of government. American children are taught in schools that anyone can be elected to Congress, so long as they meet the qualifications of the Constitution. So long as you meet the age and residency requirements you are indeed qualified to be a candidate for Congress. If we take a more in-depth look at the composition of Congress we see a body disproportionate with its Nation. Congress has maintained a fairly homogenous make-up since its founding even into the year 2001. This conclusion raises no eye brows as both the executive and judicial branches of government have also maintained a very white, male, Protestant resemblance. However, …show more content…
On a more controversial note, the Anita Hill testimony against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas brought the low numbers of women in Congress under scrutiny. While women did not lose seats in 1994, the "year of the woman" had definitely come and gone - due in part to the Republican takeover in Congress. The elections of 1994 and 1996 held women steady at approximately 11 percent of the House and 9 percent of the Senate. While blacks and women have gained prominence in Congress, greater minorities in the House and Senate still exist in the Hispanic, Asian, Indian (Native American) and Gay and Lesbian communities.
Hispanic Americans in Congress In 1936, Democrat Dennis Chavez became the first Hispanic to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate, following two terms as a Representative. He served continuously until his death in 1962. Throughout his career, Chávez fought discrimination against Hispanics, and in 1944 campaigned for the establishment of a Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) to prohibit all racial or ethnic bias in the
In forming a government for the people, by the people, and of the people, our Founding Fathers developed the idea a bi-cameral legislature. This Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and Senate, thus became known as the people's branch of government. American children are taught in schools that anyone can be elected to Congress, so long as they meet the qualifications of the Constitution. So long as you meet the age and residency requirements you are indeed qualified to be a candidate for Congress. If we take a more in-depth look at the composition of Congress we see a body disproportionate with its Nation. Congress has maintained a fairly homogenous make-up since its founding even into the year 2001. This conclusion raises no eye brows as both the executive and judicial branches of government have also maintained a very white, male, Protestant resemblance. However, …show more content…
On a more controversial note, the Anita Hill testimony against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas brought the low numbers of women in Congress under scrutiny. While women did not lose seats in 1994, the "year of the woman" had definitely come and gone - due in part to the Republican takeover in Congress. The elections of 1994 and 1996 held women steady at approximately 11 percent of the House and 9 percent of the Senate. While blacks and women have gained prominence in Congress, greater minorities in the House and Senate still exist in the Hispanic, Asian, Indian (Native American) and Gay and Lesbian communities.
Hispanic Americans in Congress In 1936, Democrat Dennis Chavez became the first Hispanic to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate, following two terms as a Representative. He served continuously until his death in 1962. Throughout his career, Chávez fought discrimination against Hispanics, and in 1944 campaigned for the establishment of a Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) to prohibit all racial or ethnic bias in the