Congress Study Guide

Marginal districts

Competitive; elections are close between parties.

Safe districts

Heavily favor one party, making re-election almost guaranteed.

Trustee

Votes based on personal judgment.

Delegate

Votes based on what constituents want.

Politico

Mixes both trustee and delegate roles depending on the issue.

House members

Usually younger, more diverse, and represent smaller districts.

Senators

Older, wealthier, and represent entire states

Speaker of the House

Leads the House, sets agenda.

President Pro Tempore

Acts as Senate leader when VP is absent.

Majority/Minority Leader

Organize party strategy.

Whips

Count votes and ensure party discipline.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Introduction → Committee Action → Floor Action → Passed by both chambers → President signs or vetoes.

Sequential referral

Bill sent to multiple committees one after another.

Discharge petition

Forces a bill out of committee.

Closed rule

No amendments allowed.

Open rule

Amendments allowed.

Restrictive rule

Some amendments allowed.

Quorum

Minimum members needed to do business.

House operations

More rules, limited debate.

Senate operations

More informal, unlimited debate (filibuster).

Senate members

100 members, 6-year terms, must be 30+.

Reapportionment

Redistributes seats among states after Census.

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating boundaries for political gain.

Partisan gerrymandering

Drawn to favor one party.

Riders

Unrelated additions to bills.

Earmarks/Pork Barrel

Funds for local projects to please voters.

Christmas Tree Bill

Loaded with riders for support.

Committees

Divide work on bills.

Standing committees

Permanent, handle ongoing issues.

Select committees

Temporary for special topics.

Joint committees

Both chambers involved.

Conference committees

Resolves House/Senate bill differences.

Filibuster

Unlimited Senate debate to block a vote.

Cloture

Stops filibuster with 60 votes.

Term Limits Debate

For: Prevents career politicians, brings new ideas. Against: Voters already have power to remove members, experience is valuable.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Principle: 'One person, one vote.' Decision: Courts can decide redistricting cases.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Principle: Racial gerrymandering violates Equal Protection. Decision: Districts can't be drawn mainly by race.

Bipartisanship

Parties work together.

Gridlock

No compromise → nothing gets done.

Lame Duck

Outgoing officials still in office after losing reelection.

Divided Government

Different parties control Congress and presidency → conflict.

United Government

Same party controls both → easier to pass laws.

House of Representatives Roles

Controls revenue (tax) bills, starts impeachment.

Senate Roles

Confirms nominations, ratifies treaties, holds impeachment trials.