Congress - Part 1

Capitol Building

Home of U.S. Congress

Democracy

Political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

Bicameral

Composed of two legislative bodies

Virginia Plan

Virginia delegate James Madison's plan of government, in which states got a number of representatives in Congress based on their population

New Jersey Plan

New Jersey delegate William Paterson's plan of government, in which states got an equal number of representatives in Congress

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house

House of Representatives

Must be 25, 7 years of citizenship, 2 year term, 435 members, no limit on terms, based on population

Senate

term-6 years, number of members-100, requirements- must be 30 and a U.S. citizen for 9 years, equal representation

Session

1 year in Congress

Convene

To bring together

Adjourn

Close at the end of a session

Sine Die

Adjourn finally; cannot occur without consent of both Houses

Recess

Ttime during which people go out to take a break

Prorogue

To end, or discontinue, congress gives the president this power

Special Sessions

President is empowered to call a special session of Congress after Congress has adjourned to deal with emergencies.

Agenda

A list of matters to be addressed

Apportioned

Distribute, as in seats in a legislative body

Census

Official count of the Population given every 10 years

Off Year Election

Congressional election that occurs between presidential election years

Single Member District Election

An Election where only 1 person can win in an area. House of Representative Elections

At Large District Election

An Election where all people throughout the State can vote and the person/people who receives the most votes overall will win. Senate Elections

Gerrymandering

Drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent

Gouging

Cheating, swindling

Wesberry v. Sanders

State Districts must be approximately equal in size of population. 1 person; 1 vote

Gomillion v. Lightfoot

Racial gerrymandering-ordinance declared unconstitutional

United Latin American Citizens v. Perry

Racial gerrymandering-ordinance declared unconstitutional

Hunt v. Cromartie

Race can be a factor in gerrymandering as long as it if not the main/major factor

Davis v. Bandemer

Excessive partisan gerrymandering is illegal if too unfair to one party

Powell v. McCormack

Ruled that Congress could not exclude an elected congressman since they were eligible for that position

Informal Qualifications

Age, Gender, Race, Religion, Political Popularity & Political Experience

$2 Million

Minimum amount it takes to seriously run for Congress

Incumbent

Person/Party who is already in Office and up for re-election

Upper House

Senate where members are appointed

Millionaire's Club

Nickname for the Senate because many of their members are very rich

Election Day

First Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Continuous Body

Not at all Senator's are up at the same time. 1/3 are up at a time, all of the seats are never up for election at the same time

Constituents

People a member of Congress represents

PA Senators

Dave McCormick & John Fetterman

Congressional District 8

Name of our Congressional District

Legislators

People that make laws

Delegate

Politician is supposed to represent the People "back home"

Trustee

Poltician can make decision on their own basis

Partisan

Politican will make their decision based on the view of the Party

Poltico

Poltician will take all 3 positions and come up with a decision

Bills

Proposed laws

Oversight Function

Ability of the Congress to make sure that their laws are being carried out

$174,000

Annual Congressional Salary

Vice President

In charge of the Senate

Fringe Benefits

Benefits in addition to their salaries

Franking Privilege

Ability to mail things for free

Veto

Deny

Rob Bresnahan

PA District 8 Representative