Chapter 5 lesson 1 Flashcards
bicameral legislature
2 house legislature
What do senators serve
states
what do reps serve
districts
What does the house off rep do
sets rules to limit debate and promote majority rule.
what does senate do
sets rules that give more muscle to the minority, whether that be a party, a faction, or an individual senator.
how many congressional sessions are there
2
How many reps
435
what are the qualifications for a rep
must be at least 25 years old,
- be citizens of the United States for at least seven years,
- be legal residents of the state that elects them. -Traditionally, representatives also live in the district they represent.
how long do reps serve
2 years- even numbered years
how often is the census taken
every 10 years
reapportionment
the process of reassigning representation based on population, after every census
How are districts drawn
one for every rep
redistrict
to set up new district lines after reapportionment is complete
gerrymander
to draw a district’s boundaries to gain an advantage in elections
What are some ways to gerrymander
Packing a district means drawing the lines so they include as many of the opposing party’s voters as possible. Crowding the opposition’s voters into one district makes the remaining districts safe for the majority party’s candidates.
- Cracking means dividing an opponent’s voters into other districts to weaken the opponent’s voter base.
senate qualifications
The Constitution provides that senators must be at least 30 years old, citizens of the United States for nine years before election, and legal residents of the state they represent. All voters of each state elect senators at-large, or statewide—they have no particular district.
Like those of the House, Senate elections are held in November during even-numbered years.
how long do senators serve
6 years
privilege’s
Congress with certain protections so they can carry out their public duties. For example, when they are attending Congress or on the way to or from Congress, they are free from arrest “in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace.”
Members also cannot be sued for anything they say on the House or Senate floor.
Finally, each house may punish its own members for disorderly behavior by a majority vote and expel a legislator by a two-thirds vote.
censure
a vote of formal disapproval of a member’s actions
How many senators
100
incumbent
elected official who is already in office
how is it easier for incumbents to win
For example, incumbents can raise campaign funds more easily through personal contacts they make while representing their district. Second, many districts have been gerrymandered in the incumbent party’s favor. Third, incumbents are better known to voters, who see them on television and read about them regularly in news stories. Fourth, incumbents use their position to solve the problems of voters, who are then grateful. Finally, incumbents may win simply because most voters believe they best represent their views.
