CONGRESS TEST 7

House of Representatives

One of the two parts of Congress that makes federal Laws

• number of representatives per state based on population

• 2 year short term: quicker to act, closer to voters

• Chosen by the people

• Age qualification: 25

• Republican

• Census

• Delegate model

Senate

One of the two parts of Congress that makes federal laws

• 6 year terms

• Chosen by popular vote

• Age qualification: 30

• Number per state: 2

• Controlled by democrats with equal representation from each state.

• Trustee model: Don’t have to worry about re-election

Gerrymandering ; Population differences, Racial gerrymandering, Partisan gerrymandering

The idea of shaping districts to benefit one political party or another

Population differences: Not allowed because the population cannot be different

Racial gerrymandering: Allowed because they have the power to draw district lines to enhance minority representation.

Partisan gerrymandering: Allowed because they have the authority to draw district boundary lines.

17th Amendment

The system of Direct election of Senators

Originally: chosen by state legislatures (politicians)

Now: chosen by voters 

Speaker of the House

The leader of the house that ensures the house passes legislation and can influence their committee.

Filibuster 

• Talking for a long time

• The goal is to stop a bill from passing

• This could make the Senate better than the house depending on the intentions and what Bill is trying to pass

• Takes 60 votes to end a filibuster

Gibbons v. Ogden

As soon as commerce crosses state lines it's considered Federal Power

• Regulate Commerce: Oversee and manage trade and economic activities between states and foreign nations.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Under the concepts of Judicial Review, Articles of confederation, and Constitution,  In order to have implied powers they must directly coordinate with enumerated powers with the federal and state. This Supreme Court case established that federal law is supreme over state law, affirming Congress's implied powers.

Cracking

Dividing votes between districts in hopes they have a greater chance of winning. This tactic is used to dilute the voting strength of opposing parties by spreading them across multiple districts.

Packing

Packing voters in one district hoping they win those districts. This strategy aims to concentrate opposing voters into a single district to minimize their influence in other districts, thereby maximizing the winning potential for the dominant party.

Powers exclusive for Both Chambers

• Approves Legislation

• Declare War 

• Coin Money

• Regulate Commerce

Powers exclusive to the House

• Initiate revenue bills

• Impeach Officials

Powers exclusive to the Senate

• Confirms presidential appointments

• Ratify treaties

• Try Impeached Officials

Trustee; Benefit, Downside, philosophers

• listen to your own ideas (“trust me”)

• Benefit: only thing that matters is what you think, allows you to ignore outside factors

• Downside: ignore other opinions, voters might feel unheard and boot you out

• Which philosopher? Hobbes - don't listen to the people. Hamilton as a less extreme Hobbes

Delegate

• Their views of the people they represent

• Benefit: popular sovereignty & representative government

• Downside: your opinion may not matter

• Which philosopher? Locke b/c it supports representative government

Partisan

• Listen to the party

• Benefit: fits with gerrymandered district where the party is already packed into your district

• Downside: may end up ignoring your votes

In what ways do the House and Senate differ and why did the Framers create these differences?

House v. Senate

• 2 year - 6 year

• 435 - 100

• Individual districts - entire state

The framers created these differences to balance the power of Congress.

Members of congress may favor one model over another

depending on their constituents' preferences and political affiliations.

Analyze the impact gerrymandering has over our electoral system

Gerrymandering significantly influences electoral outcomes by manipulating district boundaries to favor one political party over another. This often leads to unbalanced representation, reduced competition in elections, and the entrenchment of incumbents. 

Powers of Congress granted by Article 1:

The powers of Congress outlined in Article 1 of the Constitution include the ability to tax, regulate commerce, declare war, and make laws necessary for carrying out its functions. These powers establish Congress as a key legislative body in the federal government.

(T/F) Calls for impeachment are rare

False

Presidents, VPs, and federal judges may only be expelled from office if they have been found guilty of a felony.

False: High crimes, Treasons, and bribery.

The House charged/impeached Clinton for the crime of having an affair.

False: “Lying under oath” and "obstructing justice” is the reason for impeachment.

A simple majority of House reps are all that is required to impeach a president.

True: If the house does vote to impeach it goes to the senate for trial.

After an impeachment trial is held in the Senate, a vote of 2/3rds of the Senate is required to expel a president.

True: This means that at least 67 senators must vote for conviction in order to remove the president from office.

The Senate acquitted Johnson, Nixon, Clinton, and Trump (x2), and therefore they were not removed from office.

True: Impeached by the house acquitted by senate.This means that although these presidents were impeached by the House of Representatives, they were found not guilty by the Senate and thus remained in office.

Investigatory Power

The authority of Congress to conduct investigations and gather information to support its legislative function and oversight responsibilities.

Seniority rule

A legislative practice that gives priority to the members of Congress with the longest tenure when assigning leadership positions and committee roles.

Pork-barrel spending

The allocation of government funds for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district, often seen as a way to attract votes.

Leadership Powers

The powers held by congressional leaders to influence legislation and guide the activities of their respective chambers, including agenda-setting and committee assignments.

Treaties, Judicial appointments , cabinet appointments

A formal agreement between countries, decisions regarding the selection of judges, and the appointment of heads of executive departments.

Advice and Consent powers

The constitutional authority of the Senate to approve or reject presidential appointments, such as judges and cabinet members, as well as treaties.

• Approves Legislation

Once both bodies vote to accept a bill they have to work over any differences and vote again, then pass the Bill to the President. The President can pass the Bill and sign it into law.

• Coin Money

Authorize Congress to control every phase of currency.

• Regulate Commerce

Oversee and manage trade and economic activities between states and foreign nations.

• Initiate revenue bills:

The exclusive power of the House of Representatives to create legislation that raises money, such as taxes and tariffs. This process ensures that any tax-related bills originate in the chamber closest to the people. 

Impeach Officials:

 The process by which a legislative body, particularly the House of Representatives, brings charges of wrongdoing against a government official, leading to a trial in the Senate. If convicted, the official can be removed from office.

Confirms presidential appointments:

The Senate's responsibility to review and approve candidates nominated by the President for federal positions, including cabinet members, judges, and ambassadors, ensuring a check on executive power.

Ratify treaties:

The formal approval by the Senate, which is required for international agreements to become legally binding after being negotiated by the President.

• Try Impeached Officials:

The process by which the House of Representatives brings charges against a government official for misconduct, leading to a trial in the Senate to determine whether to remove them from office.