Consist of two houses; House of Representatives and Senate.
What is the U.S. Congress
100
Consists of 100 individuals. Each states nominates two people to represent them.
What is the U.S. Senate
100
Max of six years. Terms are staggered so that 1/3 of the senators are elected every 2 years. May be reelected for an unlimited number of terms.
What is Term of Office for a Senator
100
Originally selected by the legislatures of each state. the Seventeenth Amendment allows direct election of senators.
What is Election of Senators
100
Consists of 435 representatives. Representatives apportioned to states based on the state's population.
What is U.S. House of Representatives
200
Constitution stipulates they must be 30 years old. Must be a citizen of the U.S. for a least nine years. Must live in the states they represent.
What is Qualification for Senators
200
Max of two years. May be reelected for an unlimited number of terms.
What is the Term of Office for a Representative
200
Constitution stipulates they must be 25 years old. Must be a citizen of the U.S. for 7 years. Must live in the state where the district they represent is located
What is Qualifications for Representatives
200
Each U.S. representative is elected by the citizens of a congressional district. State governments draw boundaries of congressional districts.
What is Congressional District
200
Distribution of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the states.
What is Apportionment
300
A government count of the people conducted every 10 years
What is U.S. Census
300
Redrawing congressional districts by state legislatures after each census
What is Congressional Redistricting
300
Supreme Court ruled that a state's congressional districts had to be equal in population. "One man, one vote"
What is Baker v. Carr (1862)
300
Drawing congressional districts-often in unusual ways-to favor one political party or group over another.
What is Gerrymandering
300
Tendency of those already holding office to win reelection.
What is Incumbency Effect
400
Limits of the number of terms an elected official can serve.
What is Term Limits
400
House or Senate seat in which the incumbent is not running for reelection.
What is Open Seat
400
Each house meets for a term of two years beginning on January 3 of odd numbered years. Congress determine when it will adjourn for short recesses and when the session will end with final adjournment.
What is Sessions of Congress
400
One person of the body of people that elects a representative.
What is Constituent
400
Senators and representatives help voters in their district solve problems involving the bureaucracy.
What is Constituent Casework
500
Amendments to the Constitution can be initiated by Congress if passed by 2/3 majority in both houses.
What is Constitutional Amendment Powers
500
Senate must approve all treaties the executive branch negotiates by a 2/3 majority.
What is Executive Powers of Congress
500
Used to continue funding the government when an appropriations bill has been stalled by gridlock in Congress or a presidential veto.
What is Continuing Resolution
500
Both Senate and House have _______________ that write the bills that appropriate money to federal agencies and programs
What is Appropriations Committee
500
Legislative process that produces laws authorizing expenditures of money for specific programs.