U.S. Government: Federalism, Congress, and Elections

Federalism

The sharing of power between the federal government and state governments

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Meeting where the Constitution was drafted; George Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention

Federalist Papers

Writings that explain the thought process behind the Constitution

Madison, Hamilton, Jay

Authors of the Federalist Papers (know these people)

Great Compromise

The plan for state representation in Congress; the Connecticut Plan, credited to Roger Sherman

Great Compromise result

Created a bicameral system (two chambers) to represent the people

Which chamber is more democratic?

The House of Representatives, which favors larger states

Which chamber protects the minority more?

The Senate, which protects small states

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically listed for Congress in Article I, Section 8

Implied powers

Powers not listed but allowed by the Elastic (Necessary and Proper) Clause, Article I, Section 8, Clause 18

Reserved powers

Powers kept by the states; 10th Amendment

Referendum

A form of direct democracy used in states

House of Representatives (HR)

The lower chamber of Congress

Number of House members

435 (since 1913)

Most powerful member of the House

The Speaker of the House

House election cycle

Everyone is up for election every two years

House district size

1 representative per district of about 755,000 people

Mike Johnson (R)

Speaker of the House; Republican from Louisiana

Mikie Sherrill (D)

Governor of New Jersey

Chris Smith (R)

1 of 3 Republicans in the NJ delegation; works on human trafficking issues

Frank Pallone (D)

1 of 9 NJ Democratic representatives

Herb Conway (D)

NJ Democrat who took Andy Kim's place in the House

Senate term length

6 years

How senators were originally chosen

By state legislators, not the voters

17th Amendment

Required direct popular election of senators in each state (1912)

NJ Senators

Cory Booker (D) and Andy Kim (D), the junior senator

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States

When does the VP vote in the Senate?

Only when there is a 50/50 tie

Senate leader (2026)

John Thune (R); Republicans control the 2026 Congress

Senate President Pro Tempore

3rd in line for the presidency; traditionally the longest-serving member of the majority party

Presidential line of succession

1. VP, 2. Speaker of the House, 3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate, 4. Secretary of State

Democratic governor seats to defend (2026)

WI, KS, MI, AZ, CA

Republican governor seats to defend (2026)

GA, IA, NV, OH, TX, FL

Current number of governors

26 Republican, 24 Democratic

Current Senate makeup

53 Republicans, 47 Democrats

Current House makeup

219 Republicans, 214 Democrats (one independent)

Taxing and spending

The House has the power to tax and spend; revenue (tax) bills must start in the House

Electoral College voting

When you vote for president, you are actually voting for electors committed to that party's candidate

Winner-take-all

In 48 of 50 states, the candidate who wins the state's popular vote gets all its electoral votes (exceptions: Maine and Nebraska)

NJ electoral votes

14 (12 House members + 2 senators)

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote (1920)

23rd Amendment

Gave Washington, D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections (1961)