Congress 7 - Representation of Constituents

Question 1

Descriptive representation

Answer 1

Idea Congress should ‘look like’ the American people.

Assumes members more successfully represent groups they share characteristics with.

Question 2

This 155th Congress is the most divers in history _____ minorities and ______ women

Answer 2

102 minorities

105 women

Question 3

Arguments that Congress is representative of US population

Answer 3

More representative for women than ever

More representative for minority groups

Question 4

Argument that congress is not representative of US population

Answer 4

Women are underrepresented

Minority groups are underrepresented

Question 5

Example of more women being represented than ever

Answer 5

1979 - Just 16 women in the House and 0 in Senate

2017 - 84 women in the House and 21 in the Senate

Question 6

Example of minorities being represented than ever

Answer 6

1979 - 16 African-Americans in House and 0 in Senate

2017 - 46 African-Americans in House and 4 in Senate

Question 7

Example of minority groups being underrepresented

Answer 7

Racial minorities make up -
28% of population
22% of House
9% of Senate

Question 8

Example that women are underrepresented

Answer 8

19% of Congress is female compared to 50% of population