CONGRESIONAL MEMBERSHIP

1-Explain how the US Congress is a bicameral legislature?

It is made up of two houses:

2-What is the most important function performed by Congress?

It initiates and approves laws

3-How long is a Congressional term?

TWO Years

January 3, 2015 - January 3, 2017

4-The House of Representatives has ______ members

435

5-Qualifications for the House of Representatives:

Age-25 years old

Citizenship-7 years

Residency-Legal resident of the state that elects them

Length of term for a member of the House2 years

When does the term of office begin?January 3

6-What is reapportionment?

Each state’s population determines the number of representatives it will have.

Every 10 years, after the census, the number of representatives may change [More reps, fewer reps or the same]

Reapportionment is the process of determining which states receive more reps, fewer reps or the same number of reps.

7-How is a state’s reapportionment determined?

POPULATION

8-Explain redistricting

The process of setting up new congressional district lines

9-Who is in charge of redistricting?

State Legislatures

10-Explain Gerrymandering. What is its purpose?

Drawing district boundaries to give one party and electoral advantage over the other party.

When one party is dominant in a state legislature, it tries to draw congressional districts to ensure victory in future elections.

Dangerous for democracy

Creates odd shaped districts to keep the same party or House member in control of that district, election after election Eliminates competition

What is Gerrymandering?Odd shaped districts: drawn to the advantage of the

political party that controls the State’s Leg.

Two forms 1-to concentrate the opposition’s voters in one or a few districts,

thus leaving the other districts comfortably safe for the dominant party.

2-to spread the opposition as thinly as possible among several districts, limiting the opposition’s ability to win anywhere in the region

The main goal: create as many safe districts as possible-districts almost certain to be won by the party in control of the line-drawing process.

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PA 7th

Illinois 4th

Gerrymandering Movie

As you watch the movie, respond to the questions from the viewer’s Guide

11-The United States Senate has _ members.

100

12-Qualifications for the United States Senate:

Age-30 Years Old

Citizenship-9 years

Residency-Legal resident of the state

Length of term for a member of the Senate-6 years

When does the term of office begin?January 3

13-What are some of the benefits enjoyed by members of the United States Congress?

•$174,000/year

•Free postage [“franking privilege]

•Medical Clinic

•Gym

•Allowance to pay staff, trips home.

•Income tax deduction to keep up two residences

•Free haircuts

•Great restaurants in both the House and Senate

•Pension for life after retirement

14-What are some of the privileges of members of Congress?

Free from arrest in Congress and travelling to and from Congress[except treason or felony]

Cannot be sued for anything said on the floor of either house

Judge qualifications of new members and whether to seat them

Each house may refuse to seat an elected member by majority vote

 

15-How can members of Congress be punished?

Each house can punish its own members for disorderly behavior by a majority vote

Each house can expel a member by a two-thirds vote

Expulsion: treason, accepting bribes.

Censure: formal vote of disapproval for members guilty of lesser crimes.

 

16-In addition to the voting members of the House, list the four delegates.

1-District of Columbia2-Guam3-American Samoa4-Virgin Islands5-Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico

These delegates cannot vote, but what do they do?•Attend sessions•Introduce bills•Speak in debates•Vote in committees

 

17-What is an incumbent?

Members who are already in office

90% win reelection

 18-Why do you think it is easier for incumbents to win re-election?

1.They can raise campaign funds while in office

2.Gerrymandered districts

3.Better known to voters: TV, news stories, name recognition

4.Use their position to solve problems of grateful voters

5.Voters believe they best represent their views