Study Guide

Question 1

Apportionment

Answer 1

Seats in the House of Representatives are allocated to the legislative districts based on the census.

Question 2

Gerrymandering

Answer 2

is the drawing of the legislative districts to favor a particular candidate.

Question 3

Congressional elections – especially, why incumbents win reelection at such a high rate

Answer 3

Incumbents win reelection at such a high rate, for a pretty circular reason. They draw in more money. And sense they draw in money, they draw in even more money because people want to give money to the winner.
Also, specific people from each party are more likely to win specific districts, so primaries are more important than general elections.

Question 4

Requirements HOR

Answer 4

at least 25, lived in their state for at least 7 years,

Question 5

Requirements Senate:

Answer 5

at least 30, lived in that state for at least 9 years

Question 6

Length of terms HOR

Answer 6

2 yrs

Question 7

Length of terms Senate:

Answer 7

6 yrs

Question 8

Special powers/responsibilities HOR

Answer 8

tax bills, impeachment

Question 9

Special powers/responsibilities Senate:

Answer 9

confirm pres nominations

Question 10

Substantive representation:

Answer 10

Representation based off of views and beliefs

Question 11

Descriptive representation:

Answer 11

based on factors like race, gender, age ect.

Question 12

Delegate:

Answer 12

Votes the way the people want them to vote

Question 13

Trustee:

Answer 13

Votes the way they think is best

Question 14

HOR Main leader

Answer 14

Is lead by the Speaker of the House. They have alot of power because there are so many people there that it needs to be more structured. They have the 2nd most power in the US and would become president if the pres and vice died. Only house officer mentioned in Constitution. The Speaker has the power to assign bills to committees and decide when a bill will be presented to the floor to vote. Appoints members and chairs to committees. Creates select committees (designed to fullfill specific purpose) Can even select a pro tempore who acts as speaker in Speaker’s absence.

Question 15

Structure of HOR leadership

Answer 15

op) Speaker of the House, (Middle) Majority and Minority leaders, (Below) Both parites whips

Question 16

Structure of Senate leadership

Answer 16

(Technical Top) Vice pres (Actual Top) Majority and Minority leaders [emphasis on majority],

Question 17

The role of committees in Congress

Answer 17

Congress uses committees to divide their work

Question 18

joint committee

Answer 18

Joint committee members are appointed from both the House and the Senate, and are charged with exploring a few key issues, such as the economy and taxation.

Question 19

conference committee

Answer 19

used to reconcile different bills passed in both the House and the Senate.

Question 20

standing, or permanent, committee.

Answer 20

This committee is the first call for proposed bills, fewer than 10 percent of which are reported out of committee to the floor.

Question 21

Finally, ad hoc, special, or select committees

Answer 21

temporary committees set up to address specific topics. These types of committees often conduct special investigations, such as on aging or ethics.

Question 22

The legislative process – what are the steps for how a bill becomes a law?

Answer 22

1. Proposed by HOR or Senate
2. Reffered to Committee
3. Committee Refers it to Subcommittee
4. Subcommittee can make adjustments, then send it back to the Committee
5. The Committee can then vote on it/make adjustments?
6. The bill goes back to the Rules Commitee, where rules are established for when it goes on the floor
7. It is argued on the floor
8. It is voted in by Congress
9. Senate and HOR must pass identical legislation
10. Pres can either veto or pass it
11. If the pres vetos it then it can still be passed by 2/3 vote by congress