Congress Test

BiCameral

A legislature with two chambers (House & Senate)

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress with 100 members, 2 from each state.

House of Representatives

Lower chamber with 435 members, based on population.

Incumbent

A current officeholder.

Constituent

A person represented by an elected official.

Trustee

A representative who votes based on personal judgment.

Delegate

A representative who votes based on constituents preferences.

Term

Fixed period a representative or senator serves in office.

Bi Partisan Polarization

The increasing ideological division between political parties.

The Capital/ The Hill

The location of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.

Standing Committee

Permanent committee that handles specific duties.

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay or block legislation.

Cloture

Vote to end a filibuster (requires 60 votes in the Senate).

Gridlock

Inability to pass legislation

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts to benefit a particular party.

District

A region represented by a member of the House.

Caucuses

Meetings of party members to set agendas and policies.

Select Committee

Temporary committee for a specific purpose.

Quorum

Minimum members needed to conduct business.

Earmarks

Funding directed to specific local projects by legislators.

Leader of House

Speaker of the House (presides over House, sets agenda).

Leader of Senate

Vice President (official leader), Senate Majority Leader (real power).

Speaker of the House role and duties

Leads House sessions, assigns bills to committees, sets the legislative agenda.

Majority/Minority Leaders duties

Head their respective party’s members, organize votes, and coordinate party strategy. The Majority Leader has significant influence over scheduling and priorities.

Whip role/duty

Ensures party discipline, counts votes, persuades members.

House size

435 members to represent the population.

Senate size

100 members to provide equal representation per state.

Senate qualifications

At least 30 years old, 9 years a citizen.

House qualifications

At least 25 years old, 7 years a citizen.

Arguments for term limits

Prevents career politicians, brings fresh ideas.

Arguments against term limits

Loss of experience, weakens legislative effectiveness.

Why do Incumbents have an advantage in elections?

Name recognition, access to campaign resources, constituent support.

How has the role of the Senate, as a body, changed from the Framers original intent?

Initially intended to represent states; now also represents people’s interests.

How are the House and the Senate different from each other in their functions?

The House is more reactive, with shorter terms, and initiates revenue bills. The Senate, with longer terms, ratifies treaties and confirms presidential appointments, providing stability.

What is the Paradox of Congress?

Members have low approval ratings and yet most members get re-elected.

How are members of Congress different from members of Parliament in England?

Congress members have more independence, while Parliament members are expected to vote along party lines.

Why is Congress more polarized than it has been in the past?

Congress is more polarized due to factors like diversity of opinion and value, as well as party loyalty being prioritized over compromise.

Why is Majority control of either Chamber of Congress important?

Determines legislative agenda and controls committee assignments.

Why Does Gridlock happen? Is it a positive or negative aspect of Congress today?

Occurs when partisan divisions prevent legislation from advancing. Seen as both positive (prevents rash decisions) and negative (slows needed reforms).

What functions do committees perform in both Houses of Congress?

Committees research, draft, review, and amend legislation, allowing Congress to handle a wide range of issues efficiently.

What function do earmarks play in lawmaking?

Allow legislators to allocate funds to specific projects in their districts; criticized for prioritizing local interests over national priorities.

Why is Pork Barrel Spending often seen as a problem?

It’s often seen as wasteful because it directs federal funds to local projects that may not serve broader public interest, but it’s used to secure constituent support.

Name and describe two sources of gridlock. (what causes it?)

• Partisan polarization: Strong differences between Democrats and Republicans lead to less compromise, causing legislative standstills.

• Divided government: When different parties control the House, Senate, or presidency, they often block each other’s initiatives to prevent the other side from succeeding.

Provide an argument that criticizes Gridlock. In other words how can Gridlock be seen as a negative situation?

• Gridlock can be negative because it slows down or even stops effective government function in times of emergencies. This inaction can lead to frustration among the public, economic consequences, and inefficiency, as problems remain unresolved.

Provide an argument that defends Gridlock. In other words, how can it be seen as a positive situation?

• Gridlock can serve as a positive thing in a republican form of government by preventing  extreme changes in legislation. Since the government must negotiate and compromise, gridlock ensures that only well-considered and broadly supported laws pass. This process aligns with the checks and balances intended by the Framers, reducing the risk of radical changes that might otherwise pass in a single party dominated Congress.

Qualifications for senate?

At least 30 years old, 9 years a citizen.

Qualifications for house?

At least 25 years old, 7 years a citizen.

Quorum in house

218 in house

Quorum in senate

51 in senate

House of reps serve for…

2 years

Senators serve for…

6 years