Chapter 11 Flashcards
How many Congress members
535 total
100 senators
435 house of representatives members
Members of Congress Purpose
make key decisions about
important matters of public policy
Delegate
Represents Washington D.C. and the U.S. territories
Incumbents
Those already holding office. In
Congress, incumbents usually win re-election.
Gerrymandering
trying to favor a party within a city by dividing the area
composition
a significant role in district
Manipulating legislative districts in
an attempt to favor a particular candidate or party
Structure of the Congress
Bicameral legislature. A legislature divided into
two houses
How many terms do the members of the House of Representatives serve?
2 year terms with no term limits
infinite re-elections as long as they continue getting voted in
Who leads the House of Representatives?
The Speaker of the House
The Senate
More powers than the House of Representatives, all 100 members mostly have equal power.
Extra powers of the Senate
Ratify treaties
confirm important presidential nominations
try impeached officials
How long are Senator terms?
6 year terms with no limits
Who leads the Senate?
The Vice President
A.K.A President of the Senate
who is NOT a senator
What is a President Pro Tempore?
A temporary president of the senate who IS the most senior senator
What does the Speaker of the House do?
Presides of the House in session
Major role making committee assignments
substantial control over which bills get assigned to which committees
What is a Standing Committee?
They handle bills in different
policy areas. Each house of Congress has its own standing committees.
What is a Joint Committee?
Cover only a few policy areas,
such as the economy and taxation. Membership comes from both the Senate and the House.
How to make a bill?
Somebody proposes a Bill. Then, Committee hearing. Then Senate/House floor action. In the House, the Rules Committee sends the bill to the full House. In the Senate, the leaders of both party’s schedule Senate debate on the bill. Then the president decides yes or no.
