2.3 Congressional Behavior

Court Cases

100

The court case in which the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts could intervene in redistricting cases.  

Baker v. Carr

200

 The term for dividing districts based on race.

Racial gerrymandering

300

The court case that dealt with the issue of shaping districts based on race.

Shaw v. Reno

400

Define the "one person, one vote" principle.

Ensures that legislative districts have equal populations, therefore, every vote is accounted for. 

500

This court case violated the Equal protection Clause by granting more power to the rural class in Tennessee.

Baker v. Carr

Party Lines

100

This makes it harder to pass legislation.

Gridlock

200

This is the term for the divisions between political parties based on voting/decision-making in Congress.

Party lines

300

This is the term for party divisions that occur along ideological beliefs within the factions itself.

Intra-party divisions

400

Two results of partisan conflict.

Not receiving confirmation to confirm presidential candidates; against presidential initiatives

500

This is the term for strong bias towards one political party, usually in the context of voting based on loyalty rather than the issues itself.

Partisanship

Structure of Congress

100

This body of Congress has 100 total members, two from each state.

The Senate

200

This is the term that regards Congress' ability to make rules/laws.

Lawmaking

300

This is the process of reshaping districts to reflect population changes.

Redistricting

400

The term for a lawmaker that votes based on constituent preferences.

Delegate

500

The number of voting members in the House of Representatives. 

435

Leadership

100

This person is usually from the majority party and leader of the House of Representatives.

Speaker of the House

200

This is the type of committee that is created with the purpose of addressing a certain issue.

Select committee

300

This person helps the party leaders by ensuring that members vote along party lines. Also, they try gaining support for legislation. 

Whip

400

The term for congressional leaders shaping parties by guiding members or providing incentives.

Party discipline

500

The leadership position that organizes opposition, holds the majority party accountable, and ensures the voice of the minority party is heard.

Minority Leader

Representation Models

100

The term for a lawmaker that balances the interests of the party and constituents views.

Politico

200

The model that uses their own judgment rather than constitutional wishes.

Trustee Model

300

This model is used when constituents have strong opinions on a specific issue that representatives prioritize over their own judgment.

Delegate Model

400

This model often uses polls and feedback forms to guide their choices.

Delegate Model

500

This model is a combination of two other models.

Politico Model