Lecture 4 Flashcards
congress is the most ______ ,_________, and ______ branch of our government
representative, accessable, deliberate
diversity in congress is (increasing or decreasing)?
increasing
the house of representatives are chosen by
the people
House members minimum length of citizenship must be
7years
number of members of the house
435 by population
the house has a term of
two years
to serve in the house your minimum age must be
25
how often are senators elected ?
every 6 years
senators are chosen by
people (originally state legislators)
senators minimum age is
30
senators have a term of
6 years
the house is intended to be the “immediate representatives of _________
the people
the house prevents the senate from becoming an
“aristocratic body”
the senate provides _____, as a defense to the people against their own temporary errors and delusions
stability
the current house is 54% ______
republican (247-R/188-D)
the house was majority _________ prior to the 2012 elections
democrat
the balance of power tends to shift depending on what?
the popularity of the president
who is the leader of the house of rep?
the speaker of the house
who is our current speaker of the house?
Paul D Ryan (R-WI)
Who is the current Minority leader of the house ?
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
house leaders are assisted by _______
whips
what do “Whips” do?
they help count votes and “whip up” support for bills
the house works in ______
committees
there are over _____ committees and ______ subcommittees in the house
20 and 100
how many representatives does Louisiana get ?
6
Representatives are re-appointed every _____ based on the U.S. census
10 years
States can lose or gain representatives based on _____
population change
the process of drawing districts based on political lines
gerrymandering
a gerrymander can give a district ____
a uniform voice (ex majority minority districts)
gerrymandering was named after ______
governor elbridge gerry of Massachusetts in 1812
they also allow state legislatures to influence _______
national elections
louisiana’s _______district is a top 10 gerrymander
2nd district
how many senators are there?
100
senator elections are staggered 1/3 of the seats stand for election every
2 years
the current senate is ________ republican
54%
the current senate majority leader is
mitch mcconnell (R)
the senate also works in ______
committees
incumbents have an advantage
it is harder to get elected than to get reelected
incumbents can use their office to help
individual voters (constituency services)
______ bills are proposed every year but only a couple hundred become laws
10,000
