Congressional Membership Ch 5 Flashcards
What is bicameral legislature?
Being made up of two houses
Which branch of government has the most power?
Legislative
What does congress do?
Initiates and approves laws
How long does a term in congress last?
Two years
Each term of congress is divided into how many sessions?
Two
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
435
Which is larger: House of Representatives or senate?
House of Representatives
How is the number of members in the House of Representatives chosen?
By population of each state
What are the qualifications of being in the House of Representatives?
At least 25 years old, citizen of the US for at least 7 years, and legal resident of the state that elects them.
What happens if a member of the House of Representatives dies or resigns before their term is over?
The governor of the state they represented may appoint a new member until a special election is called.
How is the population of each state measured?
The census bureau takes a national census (population count) every 10 years.
What is reapportionment?
The population of each state determining the new number of representatives to which each is entitled.
What is the limit to the number of representatives in the House of Representatives?
435
What are congressional districts?
A state is split into the number of representatives it has and one is elected from each area.
What is redistricting?
The process of setting up new district lines after reapportionment has been completed.
What is gerrymandering?
The political party controlling a states government draws the district boundaries to gain advantage in elections.
What is packing? What is cracking?
Packing is putting all opposing voters in one district. Cracking is distributing them so there are few in each district.
How are representatives of the senate representing each state?
There are two from each state
What are the qualifications for senators?
At least 30 years old, citizens of the USA for 9 years, and legal residents of the states they represent.
How is the vote for senators divided in each state?
Voters of each state select senators at-large, or statewide.
How long is a term for each senator?
6 years
How does the senate preserve continuity?
Only one third of senators run for reelection every two years.
What happens if a senator dies or resigns before their term is over?
The state legislature may authorize for the governor to appoint someone until the next election, or the governor may call for a special election.
How are salaries decided in the Senate and the House?
They choose their own salaries
What is the twenty seventh amendment?
It prohibits congress from giving themselves a pay raise.
What is the power of exclusion in the Senate and the House?
Members may take a majority vote to exclude someone who was voted in by a state.
What is censure?
A vote of formal disapproval of a members actions.
Nearly half the members of congress work as ______.
Lawyers
What are incumbents?
Members already in office
How many members of congress are usually reelected?
90 percent
What resulted in republicans gaining control of both houses after many years of democrat control?
The tide against incumbents because voters felt they had too much power
