congress quest Flashcards
what did the conneticut compromise do
created bi-cameral legislature
how many members of House of Reps
435
how long are the terms of HoR
2 year terms
requirements for a HoR
at least 25 years old, resident of the state, 7 year U.S citizen
what type of body is the HoR
non-continuous
how often to HoP face re-election
every 2 years
what does the HoR do
generate all revenue bills
gather evidence for impeachment
what is the turnover rate in the HoR
low, 8.9 years, re-elected more frequently
what is the debate like in the HoR
limited, has the house rules committee
is the HoR the upper or lower house
lower
is the senate the upper of lower house
upper
how many members of senate
100
how long are the terms in senate
6 years
requirements of a senator
at least 30 years old, resident of the state, 9 year U.S citizen
what type of body is the senate
continuous
how often do senators face re-election
1/3 of the body is re-elected every 2 years
what does the senate do
confirm presidential appointments
tries impeached officials
confirms treaties with a 2/3 vote
what is the turnover rate in senate
moderate, 11 years, re-elected less frequently
what is the debate like in senate
open, “gentlemans club”, fillabuster
why is the lawmaking function of congress central to democracy
it is a means by which public will becomes public policy
bicameral legislature
means 2 house (HoR and senate)
created to settle conflict between Virginia and New Jersey plans
reflection of federalism
need to know abt OH
we are district 9, Marcy Kaptor is rep in House, JD Vance and Sharrod Brown in senate
terms and sessions of congress
each term of congress lasts 2 years
reps are chosen every second year (3rd of January every odd numbered year)
there are 2 sessions in each terms (one per year)
we are currently in the 118th congress, session 1
special session
president can call a meeting with congress when they are out of session to discuss a special issue
perks of congress
$174,00 (13)
best health insurance
congressional staff in both offices
franking rights
free car rentals
immunes of many laws if they can prove they’re acting in the best interest of their constituency
great retirement ($50-55k avg)
dual house state (tax breaks)
travel allowance (free junkets)
free flowers/firewood
no parking tickets
duties of congress members
1) legislators- make laws
2) committee members- screen proposed bills and decide if they go on the floor for consideration
- oversight functions- check to see if the various agencies in the exec branch are working effectively and are in line with policies that congress has set by law
3) representatives of the constituents (the people of their state/district
voting options
trustee- believe they are holders of the publics trust, decide issues according to their own beliefs
delegate- suppress their own views and vote in favor of electorate
partisan- vote in line with their party’s platform
politico- balance of all three
reapportionment act of 1929
permanent size of house is 435 members
following each census, census bureau determines the number of seats each state should have
when bureau plan is ready, president sends it to congress
if, within 60 days of receiving it, neither House rejects it, it will become effective
gerrymandering
district lines drawn to the advantageof the political party that controls the state legislature
- shaw v reno- race can’t be primary factor
- baker v carr- one person=one vote
packing
putting voters who tend to vote one way into just a few of the state’s distrcits
cracking
dividing like voters across multiple districts until they’re outnumbered by a majority of voters who will vote in the opposite direction
