The Senate and the House of Representatives
Explain term lengths in both houses
Senate, 6 year terms
House, 2 year terms
What is the difference between mandatory and discretionary spending?
A person selected to represent a group of people in a political assembly
Delegate
What are the main types of committees?
Standing, joint, and select
What vote is needed for treaty ratification and confirmation role of the US senate
2/3 vote
Explain the rotating nature of Senate elections
Every 2 years, 1/3 of the Senate seats are open for election.
Unlimited debate in the Senate to prevent or delay a vote + a procedure for ending a filibuster debate with a 2/3 vote
Filibuster+ Cloture
A representative who exercises their own judgement and expertise when making decisions, rather than simply following the preferences of their constituents
Trustee
Any government provided or managed benefit or service to which some or all individuals are entitles by law
Entitlements
What are enumerated powers
Powers granted to the federal government by congress
How does reapportionment work?
What do committees do?
Monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues, evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to Congress.
A lawmaker who balances their actions between being a trustee and being a delegate. They often consider both the interests of their constituents and the broader political implications of their decisions.
Politico
Trading favors or votes among legislators, where one lawmaker supports another's proposal in exchange for support on their own
Logrolling
What constitutional clause in which amendment did the Court use in the majority decision for Shaw v. Reno
Equal protection clause, 14th amendment
What did the Connecticut compromise do?
Established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and representation based on population in the House.
Government spending or projects that primarily benefit a specific lawmaker's constituents or district, often as a way to secure support for the lawmaker or their party.
Pork-barrel legislation
A term used to describe a politician who is in office but will soon be leaving, either because they lost an election or their term ending, during this period, they may have reduced influence or power
Lame-duck
Used to bring a bull from committee to the floor for consideration
Discharge petition
What is the necessary and proper clause?
Grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers
The Senate is designed to represent states equally, while the House is designed to represent the population. What does this look like?
Senate:
each state is represented equally by 2 senators, senators serve 6 year terms with staggered elections, the senate has 100 members with 50 states represented, ensures smaller states have an equal voice in the legislative process
House:
number of reps. from each state is based on its population, each state is divided into congressional districts and the number of reps. per state can change after each census, reps. serve 2 year terms ad all 435 seats are up for reelection, states with larger populations have more representatives, ensures that states with higher populations have more influence in the legislative process
By design, the different structures, powers, and functions of the Senate and the House of Representatives affect the policy-making process. How does this structure differ?
The Senate's equal representation per state and longer terms, contrasted with the House's population- based representation and shorter terms
(2-part question)
1. What is gerrymandering?
2. Who is responsible for redistricting and when?
1. Redistricting in favor or one party or class
2. State legislatures and every 10 year census
An informal practice by which a senator informs senate leadership that they do not wish a particular bill or nomination reach the floor for consideration
Holds
What are implied powers?
Powers not granted explicitly to the national government but considered necessary to carry out the enumerated powers