i hate government

How many terms can a house member serve

2 terms

How many seats are in the house

435 fixed seats, apportioned by population

What is the minimum age to be a house member

25

Where do tax bills originate

In the House of Representatives

How long are terms for people in the senate

6 years

How many senators are there per state

2 per state

What is the minimum age to be in the senate

30

What effect did the 17th amendment have

Senators now elected by popular vote instead of state legislatures

Why is the senate seen as more insulated from the public opinion than the house?

They serve longer terms so they are not constantly facing reelection issues and have a broader range of interests

What is a delegate?

A representative should primarily enact the wishes of their constituents

What is a trustee? (Burke’s model)

Representative uses their own judgment for what’s best

What is a politico?

A mix of delegate and trustee, depending on the issue

Descriptive representation

When representatives share demographic characteristics with constituents (race, gender, ethnicity)

Collective representation

The relationship between Congress as a whole and the national as a whole, not just one district

Congressional Black Caucus

Formed in 1971 to better represent the interests of African Americans in Congress

3/5 compromise

Counted slaves as three/fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes

Surge and decline theory (Angus Campbell)

Presidents party tends to gain seats in presidential election years (surge) and lose seats in midterms (decline)

Incumbent

Current officeholder running for re-election

Why incumbents usually win

Higher name recognition, fundraising advantages, easier access to media and pork/earnmarks

Public opinion paradox

People generally disapprove of Congress as a whole but approve of their own representative