The Structure of Congress Flashcards
What is Bicameral?
Made up of two houses
How many house members?
435
How does each state gain representation in the house?
Proportionally to the population size of their state
Compare the state representation in the house of Wyoming and California
Wyoming 1 California 53
How long are house terms?
2 year terms
House members must be older than what?
25
How long must house members have been US citizens?
7 years
What does the residency clause dictate?
that you must be a resident in the state in which your district is situated
In the House in 2013 (113th Congress) how many women were there and what percentage of the membership was this?
78 18%
In the House in 2013 (113th Congress) how many African Americans were there and what percentage of the membership was this?
41 9% of the membership
In the House in 2013 (113th Congress) how many Hispanics were there?
31
In the House in 2013 (113th Congress) how many ex-Senators were there?
None
Why is it good that 9% of the House is African American?
Because that’s only a tiny bit lower than their national average of 10% of the population
When did diversity increase in the house?
Following the 1992 elections
Why is it useful to know diversity figures for the house and senate?
Because they can be used to illustrate the second version of representation, that of representing what america looks like
How do the states send members to the Senate?
Two from each state regardless of population size
How long are senatorial terms and what does this mean for the two year elections?
6 year terms, so every two years a third of them go up for re-eleciton
How old must senators be?
more than 30
How long must senators have been a US citizen?
9 years
How does the residency clause apply to the Senate?
You must be a resident of the state that you represent
In the Senate in 2013 (113th Congress) how many African Americans were there?
1
In the Senate in 2013 (113th Congress) how many Women were there?
20
In the Senate in 2013 (113th Congress) how many Hispanics were there?
3
In the Senate in 2013 (113th Congress) how many ex-House members were there?
52 (over half)
The fact that over half of the Senate are ex-House members demonstrates what?
The prestige of the Senate
Describe the recent history of African Americans in the Senate
Following the defeat of Coral Mosley Braun in Illinois in 1998, there were no AA Senators until Obama came in 2004
