Am. Gov Test Review Flashcards
What is a session?
Period of time during which each year congress assembles and conducts business. —2 sessions to each term of congress
—one session each year
How long does a “term” last for a congress?
2 years
Adjourn
Break off with the intention of resuming it later
—a court adjourns when it seems fit
“Special session”
Meeting to deal with some emergency situation
Qualifications of a representative
- At least 25 yrs. old
- have been a citizen of the u.s for at least seven years
- live in state she’s wants to be elected for
Length of term for the House of Representatives
2 years
House of Representatives - #of members
435
House of Representatives - representation of state
By population
Reapportionment
Process by which congressional districts are redrawn and seats are redistributed among states in the house - happens every 10 years
Census
Official count of the population - every 10 years they count
Gerrymandering
Creating a congressional district in such a way as to favor a specific party or candidate
What is an “off-year” election?
An election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring
How are house seats distributed in Congress?
Distributed by population
Qualifications of a senate
- Must be 30
- 9 years as a u.s citizen
- residency in the state a senator represents at time of election
Senate
- # of members
100
Senate
-length of term
6 years
Senate
-representation of state
-equal
Continuous body
All of its seats are never up for election at the same time
Constituencies
A body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body
How are the seats distributed in the senate?
2 representatives in the senate regardless of population or size of territory
Trustee
Believe each question they face must be decided on its merits
Partisan
Believe that they owe their first allegiance to their political party
Politico
Attempt to combine the basic elements of the delegate,trustee,and partisan roles
Legislator
Someone who makes or enacts laws
Committee member
A member of a committee
Delegate
A person appointed or elected to represent others
Franking privilege
Allows them to mail letters and other materials postage free
Oversight function
Congress, through its committees, checks to see that the executive branch agencies are carrying out the policies that congress has set by law
