Go Over Unit 3 Test
Congress What is bicameral? What is Congress responsible for? What is incumbency advantage? Why do congressional incumbents have an advantage? Why do senators lose more than representatives?
Redistricting What is reapportionment? Happens after ever: What is redistricting? Who has to deal with redistricting? What is gerrymandering? How can redistricting be a threat to reelection?
SC Limitations on Districts Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) Set up “one person, one vote” Gave cities and suburbs more representation SC has not eliminated gerrymandering Districts must be: Equally populated, compact, connected, not based on race
Why Two Houses? History England and colonies had it The Connecticut Compromise Federalism House = People Senate = States
Differences House Senate Members Count - Member Count - Term Length - Requirements - Very formal Less formal 435, 2 years, 25+ 7 yr citizen and a resident 100, 6 years, 30+ 9yr citizen and a resident
Differences House Senate Initiates revenue bills Ratifies treaties Starts impeachment process Tries and judges impeachment Chooses president when the electoral college is gridlocked Confirms federal appointments 435, 2 years, 25+ 7 yr citizen and a resident 100, 6 years, 30+ 9yr citizen and a resident
What Does Congress Do? Law Making Representation Consensus Building Overseeing the Bureaucracy Policy Clarification Investigating Government Agency Operations
Unique Powers HoR can initiate tax laws and spending bills House Ways and Means Committee Senate can only amend revenue bills Senate confirms presidential nominations and ratifies treaties Congress cannot pass bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, or levy export taxes BoA - an act of a legislature declaring a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishing them, often without a trial.
Confirmation Power The Senate has the power to confirm all of the President’s federal appointments Why was the Senate given this power? Why is this an important power? How does a divided government strengthen this power? Senatorial Courtesy
The Representation Function Who is Congress supposed to represent? What is the focus of many Congressmen? What is logrolling? What is an example? Why do representatives not always follow their constituents' wishes? -constituents -to get reelected -the practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics by reciprocal voting for each other's proposed legislation -They don’t think it’s the best decision, people are dumb
Congress Model Delegate Model Their job is to mirror the views of their home districts Trustee Model They should consider the views of constituents, but should ultimately use their best judgement
The Oversight Function Who does Congress watch? What does Congress do if there are suspected abuses? Why has the use of the oversight function increased in the last 20-30 years? -Federal agencies -Investigate charges of corruption and waste and hold hearings -Divided government
House Leaders Who is the leader in the House? What do they do? 3rd in line for the presidency Majority and Minority Leaders Keep party in line and determine party agenda Majority and Minority Whips Keep members on agenda, garner support, coordinate members Influence over the committees and the House Rules Committee, influence over party, CANNOT require support, direct floor debate
Senate Leaders Who is the leader in the Senate? What are his responsibilities? Who leads in their absence? Who is more powerful: House Leader or Senate Leader? Majority and minority leader controls agenda Power broker and policy initiate Only votes to break a tie President pro tempore