Congress Flashcards
- A term for the House of Representatives is___.
- A term for the Senate is___.
- A session is___.
- A special session is___.
- two years
- six years
- Time in Washington making laws. Usually nine months.
- Congress is pulled back to DC to deal with an emergency.
House of Representatives
- term
- size
- reappointment
- two years
- 435 members
- must redistribute seats after every census.as population increases, so did the number of seats for each state.
- reapportionment act of 1929: 435 members after each census of the number of reps per state.
The district system is used for
Senators. It is not in the constitution. Originally representatives were chosen from the entire state. In 1842 they split states into districts.
Gerrymandering
The act of re-drawing district lines to restrict the voting strength of a party or group.
Wesberry v. Sanders, 1964:
Gerrymandering for political gain is illegal.
Qualifications to be a member of the House of Representatives.
-25 years old
-citizen for 7 years
-resident of the state
(Our rep: Dan Benishek )
Senate
- term
- size
- reappointment
- more elite?
- 6 years
- 100 (2/state)
- The 17th amendment paint the Senate elected position by popular vote, rather than state legislature.
- continuous body: every two years, 33 members up for re-election. They’re always be experienced senators.
- higher call vacations, longer terms, added responsibilities, pointed, the purpose of senators are more elite.
Qualifications for being a senator
- 30 years old
- citizen for nine years
- resident of the state
Average member of Congress:
Compensation:
-franking privilege
- late 50s, white, Rich
- $175,000, leadership positions are paid more, clothing/ travel/ housing allowance, retirement program, insurance.
- members of Congress can use the mail for free.
Strict versus liberal constructionists:
Strict constructionist believe the government should only strictly follow the Constitution where as liberal constructionist believe the government needs to be adaptable.
Expressed powers: 1. - - - - 2. 3. 4. - - - - 5. 6. 7. *other:
- Tax: because the government needs working capital, it was all also addressed in the articles of Confederation as an issue. Limits include:
- May not tax exports
- Can tax only for public purpose
- Direct taxes must be set among states by population.
- indirect taxes must be uniform.
- borrowing power: in the constitution it states that the federal government can borrow money.
- Commerce power: the right to regulate interstate trade.
- Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824: upheld the commerce power.
- can’t tax exports
- can’t favor one stayed over another
- can’t required duties, taxes from state to state
- can’t interfere was slave trade until 1808.
- currency power
- legal tender: requirement of payment of debt, using cash.
- bankruptcy power: government decides bankruptcy power to ensure fairness.
- war power: can declare war
- foreign relations power: look over and accept/deny treaties.
* other: naturalization, postal power, weights and measure.
Implied powers: not specifically stated in the constitution, but can be impaired.
-necessary and proper clause:
-McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819:
Ex)
- Congress has the right to do what is necessary for Congress to carry out the expressed powers.
- Upheld the necessary and proper clause and the right of Congress to have implied powers.
- draft
Inherent powers: that exist for tasks that are common sense. For example
national defense, making laws.
Non-legislative powers 1 2 3 4 5
- Constitutional role: Congress can propose amendments with a two thirds vote.
- Electoral responsibility: if no I told domination come by Congress chooses. House chooses president, Senate chooses vice president..
- Impeachment: bring charges against the president.
- Executive powers: Congress has the right to accept/deny presidential appointments.
- investigational powers: CIA has the right to investigate ensure the safety of the US.
Article 1 section 1 of the Constitution establishes a bicameral Congress. why do we have a bicameral Congress?
Checks and balances
Equal representation
England had one
