structure of congress
What is the main purpose of the legislative branch?
To enact law
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
435 members
How many senators does each state have?
2 senators per state
How long is a House member’s term?
2 years
What do whips do?
They keep party members (“rank and file”) in line for votes.
What did the Great Compromise create?
Bicameral legislature (House+Senate)
Why is the House considered the most democratic chamber?
Because representation is based on population.
What principle is the Senate based on?
Equal representation
What is a congressional district?
A geographic area represented by one House member.
What is the difference between majority and minority whips?
Majority whip helps the majority party; minority whip helps the minority party.
Why does congress have two chambers instead of one?
To balance representation between large and small states.
What is incumbent advantage?
The tendency for incumbents to win reelection at very high rates.
Why is the Senate more insulated from rapid political change?
Longer terms and staggered elections make rapid change difficult.
Who draws congressional district lines?
State legislatures
Who sets the salary of Congress?
congress sets its own salary
Explain how representation differs between the House and Senate?
House = based on population
Senate = equal representation (2 per state)
Why is overturning the entire House in one election statistically unlikely?
Incumbents have >90% reelection rates, making full turnover extremely unlikely.
What role does the Senate play in impeachment trials?
The Senate holds the impeachment trial and decides conviction.
Why does redistricting occur every 10 years?
Because the census happens every 10 years.
Name the presidents who were impeached but not convicted.
Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump (twice).
How does the bicameral structure balance the interests of large and small states?
Large states get representation by population (House), small states get equal representation (Senate).
Explain how population changes affect the distribution of House seats.
Seats shift between states after the census depending on population gains or losses.
How do Senate terms and structure contribute to stability in government?
6 years terms + staggered elections = stability and slower turnover.
When did the 119th Congress begin its first and second sessions?
119th Congress 1st session: January 3, 2025
119th Congress 2nd session: January 3, 2026
Explain why impeachment does not automatically remove a president from office.
Impeachment is only formal charges; removal requires Senate conviction.