Chapter 10 Flashcards
Terms of Congress
Term- every 2 years
January 3, 2013- January 3, 2015
Bicameralism
2 houses
House of Representatives
Senate
Sessions of Congress
2 per term
1 per year
Stay in session until their work is done (all year long)
Special Sessions- the President can only call, isn’t much need for anymore
Size of House of Representatives
- Every state guaranteed at least 1 rep.
Population- the more people in a State the more Reps.
Reapportion
Redistribute the seats in the House by State
Reapportionment Act of 1929
Set the permanent size of the House at 435.
If a State gains a Rep. Another State has to lose.
A Census is done every 10 yrs (at the beginning of each decade)
Terms of the House of Representatives
2 years
Elections for House of Representatives
Date- Tuesday following the first Monday in November of the odd numbered years
Congressional Districts
1 per district- State Legislature
Gerrymandering
The drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group. (State Legislatures make them)
Wesberry v. Sanders (1964)- settled the population differences among congressional districts (needs to be equal) 1 man/ 1 vote
Size of the Senate
2 per State. (Current size 100)
Elections for Senators
Date- same as members of the House
Only 1/3 of the seats are up for election every 2 years
Both Senators are never elected at the same time.
Continuos Body
Since 1789 2/3 Senators have carried over into the next term
Term for Senators
6 years
Qualifications for a Representative
At least 25 years old
Be a citizen for at least 7 years
Live in the State they are chosen for
