Congress as a whole
This group of people typically win in reelections.
(why?)
Incumbents. People know how they act and vote, they are able to increase their chances through advertising, credit claiming, and position taking, ensuring their success in campaign.
The senate is made up of this many senators
what is 100?
The House is made up of this many representatives
What is 435?
Bills in the committee typically do this
What is die?
Weak opponents affect incumbency in this way
Weak opponents are individuals who run that are usually not well known, well qualified, lack experience, or organizational and financial backing. It makes the incumbent the best candidate as they have all of those traits such as being experienced.
Why does each state have 2 senators?
what is equal representation?
the representatives are distributed in this way and it was established during this compromise
What is based on population? This was established in the Connecticut compromise.
Committees regularly hold hearings to investigate problems and possible wrongdoing and to oversee the executive branch. Most of all, they control the congressional agenda and guide legislation. Joint committees accomplish these in this way:
(What might these committees accomplish since they join the members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate?)
Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses. They may accomplish economic issues.
Advertising gives incumbents an advantage in this way
Members of congress work hard to get themselves known in their constituencies and they usually succeed. Members concentrate on staying visible
As the senate tries impeached officials, what is impeachment?
When the Senate charges an official for a grave offense.
the House of Representatives have limited debate for this reason
There is 435 members, 335 more members than the senate, so limited debate is needed
The standing committee oversees the executive branch and guides legislation in this way:
they are separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas
credit claiming provides incumbents with an advantage in this way
They enhance their standing with constituents through service to individuals and the district. Creates a more favorable public image.
Senators are the only ones allowed to filibuster. What is a filibuster and why is the Senate allowed to do it.
A filibuster is an unlimited debate when called. They are able to do it because there is only 100 of them compared to 435 members of the house.
Each representative represents a congressional district. As representatives get switched around, redistricting must occur. What has been a past issue with redistricting (and explain it) , and what popular court cases took up the issue?
What is gerrymandering? Redistricting based on favors of parties or race. Baker vs Carr, and Shaw vs. Reno
This committee is formed when the senate and The house pass a particular bill in different forms
(and why is it significant?)
Conference committee. They iron out Senate and House differences and report back a compromise bill
Position taking affects incumbency, in this way
The positions they take may affect the outcome of an election, particularly if the issues are salient to voters and the positions are not well aligned with those of a majority of constituents.
The senate ends a filibuster by this
To end a filibuster, the senate must have a 3/5 vote, or, known as a cloture.
This committee is only in the House of Representatives, and they do this:
The House Rules Committee. Acts as a traffic cop function. The rules committee gives each bill a rule, which schedules the bill on the calendar, allots time for debate, and sometimes even specifies what kind of amendments may be offered.
This is a simple rule for picking committee chairs.
(explain how they choose it)
Seniority system, in effect until the 1970s. The member who had served on the committee the longest and whose party controlled the chamber became the chair, regardless of party loyalty, mental state, or competence