Civics

Each term of Congress starts on

January 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts for two years.

Congress

A bicameral legislature.

House of Representatives

435 members, allotted to states based on population.

Census

A population count taken every 10 years by the Census Bureau. Congress adjusts representation for each state afterward.

Congressional districts

Each state is divided into one or more districts, with one representative elected from each district.

Equal representation

Each district should include approximately the same number of constituents, about 750,000–770,000.

Wesberry v. Sanders (1964)

Supreme Court case that resulted in the rule “one person, one vote.”

Gerrymandering

Constructing a congressional district in an extremely odd shape to increase the voting strength of a particular group or party.

Origin of the word gerrymandering

A combination of Governor Elbridge Gerry’s name and “salamander.” Gerry tried it in Massachusetts in 1812, and a political cartoon compared the district’s shape to a salamander.

Louisiana v. Callais (2026)

According to the notes, on April 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that Louisiana’s congressional map, which included a second majority-Black district, was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.

House members’ terms

Two years.

House re-elections

Unlimited; there are no term limits.

Why House members serve short terms

The Founding Fathers wanted House members to stay closer to the people than senators do.

Majority party

The political party to which more than half the members belong.

Speaker of the House selection

The majority party chooses the speaker at a caucus or closed meeting, and the entire House approves the choice.

Three roles of the Speaker of the House

Steers legislation through the House; oversees floor debates; influences most House business.

Presidential succession

After the president and vice president, the Speaker of the House is next in the line of succession.

Louisiana Congressional District 1

Steve Scalise (Republican).

Louisiana Congressional District 2

Troy Carter (Democrat).

Louisiana Congressional District 3

Clay Higgins (Republican).

Senate membership

100 members, with two senators from each of the 50 states.

Senate majority party

According to the notes, Republicans are the majority party.

Louisiana senators

Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy.

Senators’ terms

Six years.

Staggered Senate elections

No more than about one-third of senators are up for reelection at a time.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States; currently JD Vance according to the notes.

Vice President’s role in the Senate

Rarely attends debates and votes to break a tie.

Floor leaders

The real leaders in both houses, known as the Majority Leader and Minority Leader.

Floor leaders’ responsibilities

Speak for their parties on issues, push bills along, and try to sway votes.

Party whips

Assist floor leaders and are generally considered second-in-command.

Standing committees

Permanent committees that continue their work from session to session. They cover important areas such as appropriations, agriculture, commerce, education, finance, and foreign affairs.

Select committees

Committees created to do a specific job for a limited period; they are not permanent.

Joint committees

Include members of both the House and Senate. Most are standing committees, but some are temporary.

Conference committees

Temporary committees that help the House and Senate agree on the details of a proposed law or bill.

Committee assignments

Party leaders consider members’ preferences, expertise, loyalty to the