House vs Senate
For HOUSE & SENATE:
What is the # of members? Terms? Incumbency rate? Unique Powers? Rules for debate?
HOUSE:
435, 2 years, high rate
Powers- Initiates all revenue bills, more influence on the budget, Brings CHARGES of impeachment, Chooses the President if no one wins Electoral college votes,
Rules- (Limited debate) regulated by the rules committee, Operates with a formal structure
SENATE:
100, 6 years, low rate
Powers- Advice and consent power, Ratifies (approves) treaties, More influential on foreign affairs, Holds trial for impeachment (jury), Confirms presidential nominations
Rules- (Unlimited debate) possibility of a filibuster, Operates more informally
Describe the main role of Congress?
To make laws and policies for the nation.
What is the definition of Expressed/enumerated powers?
Powers directly stated/written in the Constitution
List the qualifications to be a Representative or Senator.
REPRESENTATIVE (HOUSE):
25 years old
Citizen 7 years
Resident of state chosen
SENATOR (SENATE):
30 years old
Citizen 9 years
Resident of state chosen
Who can introduce a bill?
ONLY a member from Congress
What is the definition of implied powers?
Powers NOT written in the Constitution, but suggested by expressed powers
Describe these key terms: Census, reapportionment, redistricting, Gerrymandering.
Census: Population count of the United States every 10 years
reapportionment: Redistribution of House seats to the states based on population
redistricting: Redrawing of district lines fairly based on population of voters
Gerrymandering: The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage. This is done by packing voters of the opposing party into a few districts to limit their influence elsewhere or cracking them across multiple districts to dilute their voting power.
Who can draft a bill?
Anyone can have an idea for a bill.
What gives Congress these powers? (both Expressed & implied)
Expressed: Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution
Implied: Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
Why does redistricting and Gerrymandering only affect the House and NOT the Senate?
The house is based on population, so the # of seats may change when population changes, and therefore redistricting is needed. There are 2 senators per state regardless of population, they do not have districts, so it does not apply.
What are the President's options once the bill makes it to the Presidential action step?
Veto, sign the bill, pocket veto or set the bill aside
What are some examples of Expressed powers?
Levy taxes, declare war, regulate commerce, coin money
How can gerrymandering affect the outcome of elections?
It can lead to unfair representation, reduce competition by creating "safe seats," and contribute to political polarization, making elections less democratic.
What are all of the steps of how a bill becomes a law?
STEP 1: draft a bill - STEP 2: Introduce bill - STEP 3: Bill sent to committee - STEP 4: Committee action - STEP 5: Floor action - STEP 6: Bill starts process over in the next chamber - STEP 7: Conference committee - STEP 8: Re-approval - STEP 9: Presidential action -STEP 10: If vetoed, Congress can override by 2/3rds majority. If approved, the bill becomes a law.
What are some examples of Implied Powers?
Create a National Bank, Health Regulations (COVID)