House of representatives
how is membership decided?
Members are elected from local districts in
each state.Gerrymandering-when states divided in
odd-shaped districts strictly political gain i.e. more Republicans in district
What are the requirements?
25 years old, citizen for 7 years prior to the election, live in the state you represent
How is membership decided?
Members are chosen from an entire state.
What are the requirements?
30 years old, citizen for 9 years prior to the election, live in the state you represent
Party whips
stirs up party support for a piece of legislation
What is the membership?
435
Privileges & Penalties
Franking-free postage Immunity-freedom from legal prosecution Censure-formal disapproval for minor offenses Expulsion:2/3 vote of HR or Sen. for serious offenses
What is the membership?
100
Privileges & Penalties
Same as House
Floor leaders
watches parties activities on the floor
leaders
speakers of the house
How is impeachment handled?
May impeach (to accuse government officials of misconduct while in office)
leaders
Constitutional leader: Vice President votes in tie only Actual leader: President Pro Tempore
How is impeachment handled?
Senate is the jury – 2/3’s vote
Filibuster
stalls legislation
Term of Office No Connotational limit on # of terms
2 years
How are bills dealing with money handled?
All tax bills and other measures to raise $ must start in the HOR Authorization bills: create projects & establishes how money can be spent on them Appropriations bills: actually provides the $ for each program/activity
Term of Office No Connotational limit on # of terms
6 years (1/3 up for election every 2 years)
How are debates handled?
Filibuster: talk a bill to death – can end a filibuster if 3/5’s of the members vote for cloture; no one may speak more than 1 hour
Conference Committee
if the two houses approve different versions of the bill. This is where the kinks are worked out.
What is membership based on? (Great Compromise)
Population of the state (taken from the census: population count taken every 10-years)
Who approves Presidential treaties?
Does not approve presidential treaties
What is membership based on? (Great Compromise)
2 per state –equal representation
How are bills dealing with money handled?
Has to approve $ bills
Pocket veto
- only when Congress not in session & President sits on bill for 10 days w/o signing--Kills bill