Chapter 10&11 -Congres Flashcards
Three reasons Congress is bicameral?
Historical; Parlimsnt is bicameral/several colonies were too
Practical; compromise between Virgina and New Jersey plans
Theoretical; part of checks and balances; away to prevent congress from dominating other two branches
How long is Congressional term? What is it called?
A session, 2 years
Spreading out opposing team
Cracking
Crammed opposing parties is certain districts, leaving everything to prominent party
Packing
Getting rid of adding districts.
States adding districts
Redistricting
Readjustment of seat every 10 years by Census Buruea
Reappointment
How long are Representitive’s terms?
2 years long
Who decided how many seats the House of Reps get?
The US Census Bureau
A congressional election year with no presidential election
Off-year election
Redrawing district lines to favor party or limit wins by other party.
State legislatures determine districts
Gerrymandering
Congressional districts must be equal in pop.
“One person, one vote”
Wesberry v Sanders
Result of gerrymandering?
Lots of safe seats for house members
Race could be factor in drawing districts, but not the overriding factor (affirmative action)
Hunt v Cromartie
Formal/informal qualifications
- 25 or older, citizen for 7 years, live in state u r running for.
- dependent on vote getting
Which amendment changed how Senators were chosen?
17th; by appointed to elected
Senators terms?
6 years
1/3 of senate UP for reelection every two years
Continuous body
Qualifications for Senator?
30 years old, citizen for 9, live in state YOU represent
Decisions based of opinions and judgement
Trustee
Decisions made by based on wants/needs of people
Delegate
Decisions made based on party values
Partisan
Combination of all three roles
Politico
How do congress function?
As inteemediary between people and federal govt, motivated by need to support from people
Congress benefits?
Tax deduction l, travel allowances, retirement etc
House bs SenATE
House: stricter proceedings. Smaller constituents. District and state focus. More responsive to people.
Senate: looser proceedings. Larger constituencies. State and national. Less responsive to people.
Power to regulate interstate and foreign trade; no power under Articles of Confed
Commerce Power
Congress could regulate commerce even if they think it could go over state lines. Steamboat regulations
Gibbons v Ogden
Tax taken directly from people
income tax
Direct tax
Tax paid by one person and then oasssd to another.
Sales tax
Indirect tax
Using credit of US to borrow money
Borrowing power
spendjng more than taking up
Deficit spending
The power to coin money and regulate value thereof
Currency power
Issues with money b4 Constitutin?
No backing
No taxing
Where do congress get foreign relations powers from?
Expressed
Inherent powers
War powers?
Declare war
Raise and support army
Etc
Placed limits on ability of president to deploy troops w/o Declaration of war
War Powers Act of 1973
Right to produce creative work
Manfufacture use or sell invention
Copyright
Patent
Who founded postal system?
Ben Franklin
The National Bank
McCulloch v Maryland
Constitutional amendment with congress
Can propose amendments and call conventions
Electoral duties
Can choose successor
House chooses president
Senate chooses VP.
Impeachment
House impeaches; Senate conducts trial
Executive powers
Appointment- senate confirms all positions
Treaties- Senate has to advice and consent
Investigatory power
Can investigate anything relate to it’s powers
