Topic 2.1

bicameral legislature

a two-house legislature created bc of great compromise; consists of Senate and the House of Rep

Qualifications for Senate

-Senators must be at least 30 years old

-U.S. citizens for at least 9 years

-reside in the state they represent

term length for senate

they serve for 6-year terms

Qualifications for House of Representative

-Members must be at least 25 years old

-U.S. citizens for at least 7 years

-reside in the state they represent

term length for House of Representative

representatives serve 2-year terms

17th amendment

established the direct popular election of U.S Senators by citizens, replacing selection by state legislatures

Coalition Building in the Senate vs. House

longer 6-year terms allow senators to build long-term coalitions with less immediate political pressure

whereas House members face constant reelection pressure every 2 yrs.

representation in the house vs. senate

House representation is based on state population

while senate representation is equal (2 senators per state)

U.S. Census

constitutionally mandated count of the U.S. population taken every 10 yrs to determine congressionally rep (an official headcount of every single person living in the U.S.)

reapportionment

process of reallocating the 435 seats in the House of Rep among the states on updated Census population data (process of redistributing the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states based on population changes)

redistricting

process performed by state legislatures to redraw congressional district boundaries after reapportionment (process of redrawing the boundaries of voting areas so that each area has a similar number of people)

gerrymandering

practice of drawing election district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage

house rules committee

powerful House committee that acts as a “gatekeeper” by establishing rules for debate, time limits, and amendments on bills reaching the floor

floor debate in the House of Rep

Strictly limited and formal due to the large body of 435 members, governed closely by rules from the House Rules Committee

floor debate in the senate

less formal and unlimited debate structure due to smaller size (100 members), allowing tactics like filibusters

filibuster

procedural tactic used in the senate where a senator delays or prevents a vote on a bill by holding the floor and speaking continuously

cloture motion

senate procedure used to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote, requiring a 3/5 majority vote (60 senators)

unanimous consent agreement

senate agreement that sets terms for the consideration of a specified bill or other measure, requiring approval by all 100 senators

enumerated powers

powers explicitly granted to congress in article I, section 8 of the U.S. constitution (ex. taxing, declaring war, coining money)

implied powers

powers not specifically state in the constitution by reasonably inferred from enumerated powers via necessary and proper clause

Necessary and Proper Clause

gives congress authority to pass all laws necessary and proper to carry out it enumerated powers

power of the purse

congress’s exclusive enumerated power to raise federal taxing and authorize gov spending appropriations

Revenue bills origin rule

According to the constitution, all bills raising revenue/taxes must originate in the house of rep

Military defense powers of Congress

Enumerated powers, giving Congress authority to declare war, raised, and support armies, maintain a navy and fun military actions

Foreign policy and Treaty powers of the Senate

Exclusive powers to ratify treaties negotiated by the president (2/3 majority) And confirm presidential ambassadorial appointment

Advice and consent

The constitutional power of the Senate to review and approved or reject presidential appointments and treaties

Impeachment and removal rules

The house of rep has sold power to impeach (charge) officials, While the Senate holds the trial to convict and remove (required 2/3 vote)