Congress Studyguide Unit IV

What is the purpose of Congress?

To make laws, represent the people, perform oversight of the executive branch, and serve constituents.

Where are the powers of Congress derived?

From Article I of the U.S. Constitution.

What does "bicameral" mean?

A legislature consisting of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

What is redistricting?

The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries based on population changes.

What is reapportionment?

The redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives based on changes in population.

What was the Reapportionment Act of 1929?

It capped the number of House seats at 435 and established a method for automatically reapportioning them after each census.

What is gerrymandering?

The manipulation of district boundaries to benefit a particular political party or group.

What was the ruling in Westberry v. Sanders (1964)?

Congressional districts must have roughly equal populations to uphold "one person, one vote."

What was the ruling in Baker v. Carr (1962)?

Federal courts can rule on redistricting cases; opened the door for challenges to unfair districts.

What was the ruling in Reynolds v. Sims (1964)?

State legislative districts must also be roughly equal in population, reinforcing "one person, one vote."

What does the "one man, one vote" concept mean?

Every citizen's vote should have equal weight in electing representatives.

What are arguments in favor of term limits?

Prevents career politicians, encourages fresh ideas, reduces corruption.

What are arguments against term limits?

Reduces experienced leadership, limits voter choice, shifts power to lobbyists and unelected officials.

What is pork (barrel) legislation?

Government spending that benefits a specific district or constituency, often to gain political support.

What is gridlock?

The inability of government to act due to partisan conflict or divided government.

What is partisanship?

Strong allegiance to one's own political party, often leading to unwillingness to compromise.

What is bipartisanship?

Cooperation and agreement between members of different political parties.

What is seniority in Congress?

The status earned by the longest-serving members, often leading to leadership positions or influence.

What is a caucus in Congress?

A group of members who meet to pursue common legislative objectives or represent shared interests.

What is the franking privilege?

The ability of members of Congress to send mail to constituents for free, using their signature instead of a stamp.

What is a filibuster?

A Senate tactic where a senator speaks for an extended time to delay or block a vote on a bill.

What does it mean to "pigeonhole" a bill?

To set it aside in committee and ignore it, effectively killing it without a vote.

What is cloture?

A Senate vote (usually 60 votes) to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a final vote.

Who is a committee chair?

A member of the majority party who leads a congressional committee.

Who is a committee ranking member?

The most senior member of the minority party on a committee.

What is the incumbent advantage?

Incumbents are more likely to be re-elected due to name recognition, fundraising ability, and constituent services.

What is pork barrel legislation?

Local projects added to federal spending bills to benefit a representative’s district or state.

What are earmarks?

Provisions inserted into bills to direct funds to specific projects, often bypassing competitive processes.

What is logrolling in Congress?

When lawmakers agree to support each other’s bills or earmarks in exchange for mutual support.

What is the "nuclear option"?

A Senate procedure to override a filibuster with a simple majority (51 votes) rather than 60.

What is a rider?

An unrelated provision added to a bill, often to pass controversial measures.

What is a Christmas Tree Bill?

A bill with many riders attached, often to satisfy various interests and gain more votes.

What is the purpose of Congress’ oversight function?

To monitor, review, and supervise federal agencies, programs, and the executive branch to ensure accountability.

What is an example of Congress’ oversight function?

Congressional hearings investigating executive actions or agency spending.

What is a Trustee model of representation?

A representative who votes based on their own judgment and conscience, even if it goes against constituents' preferences.

What is a Delegate model of representation?

A representative who votes strictly according to the wishes of their constituents.

What is a Partisan model of representation?

A representative who votes in line with their political party's platform and leadership.

What is a Politico model of representation?

A representative who acts as a trustee, delegate, or partisan, depending on the issue or situation.

What are some demographic aspects of Congress?

Members are mostly older (avg. age ~58 House, ~64 Senate), majority male, predominantly white, largely Christian, with backgrounds in law, business, or politics.

Why aren’t more women in Congress?

Due to factors like gender bias, underrepresentation in political pipelines, lack of recruitment, family obligations, and limited funding opportunities.

What is “the Pledge” (Grover Norquist)?

A pledge signed by many Republicans promising not to raise taxes.

What did “the Pledge” lead to?

Contributed to partisan gridlock and limited compromise on tax-related legislation.

What are the constitutional powers of the House of Representatives?

Initiates revenue bills, impeaches federal officials, elects the president in a tie.

What are the constitutional powers of the Senate?

Confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, conducts impeachment trials.

What is the term length in the House of Representatives?

2 years.

What is the term length in the Senate?

6 years.

What are the leadership positions in the House of Representatives?

Speaker of the House, Majority/Minority Leaders, Whips.

What are the leadership positions in the Senate?

Vice President (President of the Senate), President Pro Tempore, Majority/Minority Leaders.

What is the House’s role in policymaking?

More centralized and faster-moving, specialized committees handle initial legislation.

What is the Senate’s role in policymaking?

More deliberative and slower, individual senators have more influence.

What is the role of seniority in the House?

More significant; senior members often get leadership and committee chair positions.

What is the role of seniority in the Senate?

Less rigid than the House; seniority is respected but not always decisive.

What are debate procedures in the House?

Strict time limits and rules set by the Rules Committee.

What are debate procedures in the Senate?

More open; allows for filibusters and unlimited debate unless cloture is invoked.

What is the purpose of congressional committees?

To divide legislative work into specialized areas, draft legislation, conduct hearings, and oversee agencies.

What is a Standing Committee?

A permanent committee that handles specific policy areas (e.g., Armed Services, Education).

What is a Subcommittee?

A smaller unit of a standing committee that focuses on a specific aspect of the committee’s work.

What is a Select Committee?

A temporary committee created for a specific purpose, often for investigations.

What is a Joint Committee?

A committee with members from both the House and Senate, usually for coordinating investigations or administrative tasks.

What is a Conference Committee?

A temporary joint committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Who is the most powerful person in the House of Representatives?

The Speaker of the House.

Who is the most powerful person in the Senate?

The Senate Majority Leader (though the VP is officially President of the Senate).

Who is the Speaker of the House?

Rep. Mike Johnson (R).

Who is the House Majority Leader?

Rep. Steve Scalise (R).

Who serves as the House Majority Whip?

Rep. Tom Emmer (R).

Who holds the position of House Minority Leader?

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D).

Who is the House Minority Whip?

Rep. Katherine Clark (D).

What does the Speaker of the House do?

Presides over House sessions, sets the legislative agenda, appoints committee chairs, and represents the House.

What does the House Majority Leader do?

Schedules legislation, plans the majority party's agenda, and works to advance bills.

What does the House Majority Whip do?

Counts votes, ensures party discipline, and mobilizes votes for the majority party.

What does the House Minority Leader do?

Leads the minority party, acts as chief spokesperson, and negotiates with majority leadership.

What does the House Minority Whip do?

Counts votes, ensures attendance, and mobilizes support for the minority party.

Who is the President of the Senate?

Vice President J.D. Vance (R)

What does the President of the Senate do?

Presides over Senate sessions and casts tie-breaking votes.

Who is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate?

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R)

What does the President Pro Tempore do?

Presides in absence of the VP; third in presidential succession.

Who is the Senate Majority Leader?

Sen. John Thune (R)

What does the Senate Majority Leader do?

Sets the Senate agenda, schedules votes, and leads the majority party.

Who is the Senate Majority Whip?

Sen. John Barrasso (R)

What does the Senate Majority Whip do?

Assists the leader, counts votes, and keeps members in line with party goals.

Who is the Senate Minority Leader?

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D)

What does the Senate Minority Leader do?

Leads the minority party and negotiates with the majority leadership.

Who is the Senate Minority Whip?

Sen. Dick Durbin (D)

What does the Senate Minority Whip do?

Supports the Minority Leader, counts votes, and organizes minority party members.

What are the main points of the article “The Case for Congress”?

Congress is essential for checks and balances, representing the people, and limiting executive power.

What percentage of bills typically die?

Around 90% of bills do not become law.

Where do most bills die?

In committee, before reaching the full floor.

What is the impeachment process?

House investigates and votes to impeach by majority. Senate holds a trial and needs a 2/3 vote to convict and remove.