Congress Test Flashcards
House:
25 years of age, citizen of US for 7 years, live in the state that you’re running from
Senate
30 years of age, citizen for 9 years, have to live in the state that you’re running from.
Re-elections House
Every 2 years, unlimited terms
Re-election Senate
Every 6 years, unlimited terms, 1/3 every 2 years are up
The reason for 1/3 of senate every 2 year
So there is some experience in government, and won’t be a total drastic change during some elections
CongressPay
Upper 100s average, 200s for leadership
What are compensation privileges of incumbents
Franking, Raising their pay, and COLA
Explain Franking
Free mail for official business
Raising their pay
Sets everyone’s pay including themselves
Cola
Cost of living adjustment, their pay goes up with the inflation and they have to vote against it if they don’t want to take it
Power of Incumbency
someone already in Congress
Percentage of incumbents who win
90%
Name three reasons why
Gerry maundering, Name recognition and Proven Service
Gerrymandering
drawing district lines to favor your political party
Name Recognition:
people vote for the name they know (sometimes people vote for dead people because they know the name
Proven Service:
Incumbent can show what they have done
Experience/Seniority
I have experience with this and that whereas the other guy doesn’t have it. The longer you are in office, the more likely you are to get leadership positions.
Casework:
Doing specific work that is more personal than broad (like proven service) Personal service, Individual
Franking:
Free mail. Costs for the challenger, but doesn’t for the incumbent.
Quorum
what it takes to vote in Congress (50%+1) (218 people needed) (
Committee of the Whole:
As long as 100 people show up they can debate. ONLY IN HOUSE, senate doesn’t count how many people show up
Pigeonholing
number one way that bills die is in committee, and pigeonholing is one way of that. The chairperson sets the bill aside never to be seen again. (like in side pocket of a chair)
Discharge Petition:
The way to force a bill that has died in committee. Takes 218 in the House (needs a majority to press) (Legally Blonde)
Germane vs. non-germane amendments:
The House has to do germane amendments (has to be related). In the Senate, you can attach anything you want to a bill.
Germane
To attach something it has to have to do with the bill.
HOUSE
Non-germane
Doesn’t have to have anything in common with the bill.
SENATE
Pork
Bringing home good things for your state
Filibuster:
Unlimited debate time in senate to make a bill not pass, always done by the minority.
Nuclear Option
Eliminated the filibuster from appointment
What does the Nuclear option not eliminate.
Supreme court, legislation, appointments
Riders
Term for an attachment to a bill.
Pork-Barrel Legislation
Type of rider or legislation when you’re doing something valuable for your state.
Earmark:
rider where you’re setting aside money for something.
Christmas Tree Bills:
Types of bills that attract earmarks and pork: The main bill is really popular so if you attach your small bill it will probably still pass.