Congress Midterm

What are the two chambers of Congress?

The House of Representatives and the Senate.

What are the fundamental issues that gave shape and direction to American constitutional history?

1) The structure of government, the distribution of power among its parts, and the relationship of individual citizens to the government.

2) The relationship of several smaller governments to a central authority.

What is the genius of the federal system?

A national government with 3 branches and then lower levels of government, state and local (act sort of independently).

What did colonial constitutionalism look like in the 18th century?

First half evolved in pattern of Glorious Revolution. Later half adhered to theory of mixed government. The governor, council, and elected deputies together formed legislature. By middle of century, colonial courts were established but were largely subordinate to local governments.

Local governments hardly democratic in modern sense, but they reinforced the decentralist tendencies in colonial government. Local government connected to provincial authority rather than to the empire.

What are federal mandates?

Congress issuing orders. There’s lots of education mandates (i.e., standardized testing, free lunches and breakfast).

Where do power and authority lie in our governmental system?

With Congress and the President, but they are elected by and responsible to the people.

What was Congress for much of its history?

A part-time institution. The modernization of the buildings encouraged Congress to remain in session for longer periods of time.

What are turns finding congressional candidates can take?

Your “friend and neighbor,” the local legislator, or the “high-profile” candidate.

How many voting seats are in the House of Representatives?

435, lower chamber.

How many senators are there?

100, 2 from each state, upper chamber.

Who are the protected territories?

American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico (PR’s delegate called “resident commissioner” with 4-year term).

Why is Senate more prestigious?

The minimum age is older, they represent more people in their state, Framers designed it to be more like the aristocracy, it is the check on the House—more deliberative and insulated.

What kind of districts does America have?

Single member districts. Opposite of proportional representation that divide based on votes.

What congressional district is Cedarville in?

OH-10

Who is the representative for Cedarville?

Mike Turner (R-OH). Former 2-term Dayton mayor.

House composition

218 Republicans, 214 Democrats, 1 Independent (Kevin Kiley, CA), 2 vacancies (TX and FL)

Senate composition

53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, 2 Independent (Bernie Sanders, VT and Angus King, ME)

How long is a House term?

2 years.

How long is a Senate term?

6 years.

What is the message of Burke’s speech to the electors at Bristol?

You elected me to be your voice, but it's impossible to speak for everybody. He would do what he deemed what is best for the country as a whole.

Who is Speaker of the House?

Mike Johnson (R-LA).

2nd most powerful man in country, 3rd in line for presidency. Does committee assignments, decides when things will come out of committee to floor vote, decides amendments to legislation.

Who is House Majority Leader?

Steve Scalise (R-LA). #2 member of House. He got shot playing baseball and almost died. He is a Christian.

Who is House Minority Leader?

Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

Formulates Democrat response to Republican legislation, speaks to media.

Who is House Majority Whip?

Tom Emmer (R-MN).

Who is House Minority Whip?

Katherine Clark (D-MA).

Who is Senate Majority Leader?

John Thune (R-SD).

Who is Senate Minority Leader?

Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Who is Senate Majority Whip?

John Barrasso (R-WY).

Who is Senate Minority Whip?

Dick Durbin (D-IL).

Who is President of the Senate?

The vice president, JD Vance, who can break tie votes. (R-OH)

Who is President pro tempore of the Senate?

Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

Constitutionally mandated position, more ceremonial, formal, traditional. Key leader in Senate. Designed to be like Speaker of House, but it is not as powerful in practice (the real power is in majority and minority leaders). Most often is the member of majority party who has served the longest.

What does a party whip do?

Counts votes, communicates between caucus members and leader, and persuades members to join the party position.

What does Article I of the Constitution establish?

The legislative branch, Congress, consisting of the House and Senate. Also has Congress’s mandate to write the nation’s laws.

What are enumerated powers?

Powers expressly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

What are the functions of Congress?

Spending (taxes, budget, etc.), oversight (review spending), and impeachment (can impeach President and Justices)

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Article I authority to make laws needed to carry out Congress's constitutional powers; also called the Elastic Clause.

What is the importance of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

Aka the Great Bank Case. SCOTUS ruled MD could not tax a federal bank. Congress used the necessary and proper clause to make a national bank for printing, coining, and distribution of money among the states. MD couldn’t tax because power to tax means power to destroy.

What are implied powers?

Powers inferred from Congress's enumerated powers, especially under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Which chamber has the power to impeach?

The House of Representatives.

Which chamber tries impeachments?

The Senate.

Which chamber confirms many presidential appointments?

The Senate.

Which chamber approves treaties?

The Senate, by a two-thirds vote of senators present.

Which chamber originates revenue bills?

The House of Representatives.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

With a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

What did the 17th Amendment change?

It established direct popular election of U.S. senators.

What are the minimum ages for House and Senate candidates?

25 for the House and 30 for the Senate.

What are the citizenship requirements for House and Senate candidates?

7 years for the House and 9 years for the Senate.

Must a House member live in the congressional district they represent?

The Constitution requires them to inhabit the state, not necessarily the district.

What is a primary election?

An election used to select a party's nominee for the general election.

What is a general election?

An election in which voters choose who will hold office.

Who determines rules for the chambers?

The Houses do. The Senate is very formal and traditional, and the Senate pro temp makes lots of rules. The House has the House Rules Committee.

How are elections state-based?

Each House settles its own disputed elections. The state legislature decides state election rules. Outcomes are certified by the state’s secretary of state. Challenges go to congress.

What is the immunity power? (Art I, Sec 6)

Congress members have immunity from arrest while in session (treason, felony, breach of the peace exceptions). They also have immunity for speech and debate while speaking on the floor.

What makes a strong congressional candidate?

Name recognition, political experience, fundraising, communication, community ties, and party support.

Where are Democratic electoral strongholds often found?

Major cities, much of the Northeast and West Coast, and many college towns and dense suburbs.

Where are Republican electoral strongholds often found?

Rural areas, many small towns, much of the Great Plains, interior Mountain West, and parts of the South.

What is reapportionment?

Redistributing the 435 House seats among states based on census population.

What is redistricting?

Redrawing district boundaries within a state.

How often is the census?

Every 10 years

What is gerrymandering?

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to advantage a party or group.

What is the origin of gerrymandering?

19th c. Governor of MA Elbridge Gerry redrew lines with some having such strange shapes they looked like salamanders.

What are the types of gerrymandering?

Partisan, Pro-Incumbent (i.e., Boehner from Cincy had gerrymandered district in Ohio) and Racial

What is a majority-minority district?

The majority of the people in the district are a minority ethnic group.

How are Congressional Elections more local than national?

Districts have local culture/composition (i.e., rural or urban), have economic differences (agricultural or commercial), different ethnic and religious groups.

How are Congressional Elections low information level campaigns?

Candidates tailor campaign to what their constituents care about (i.e., data centers). People mainly care about do I know their name and like their party?

What is packing?

Concentrate opposition population in a few districts.

What is cracking?

Dispersing opposing party or minorities, religious groups, etc. throughout state to dilute their impact.

Why can gerrymandering reduce competition?

It can create districts where one party is heavily favored to win.

What is an incumbent?

A person who currently holds an office, often seeking reelection.

Why do incumbents do best?

They’ve built name recognition. Experienced and well-financed challengers can compete, but rarely win unless incumbent is vulnerable.

What is Dr. Sims’ famous quote?

“Money is at the root of all political success.”

Why are re-election rates so high?

Incumbency advantage, redistricting (House), strategic politicians/unqualified challengers, and fundraising.

What makes Incumbents vulnerable?

Scandal, political changes (demographics change, layoffs/closures), string of unpopular decisions/votes, or a wrong “homestyle”

What is the franking privilege?

Takes place of stamp, the signature is in the top right corner, members don’t have to pay for postage.

What is homestyle?

How a member of Congress presents themselves and maintains relationships in their home district. Interactions with constituents, how you behave at home, do you get along with people, do you have charisma and like meeting people? have to be available.

Give examples of homestyle.

Visit schools, attend community meetings: workplace visits, retirement communities, neighborhood office hours (Field Offices), annual events: farmers breakfasts, veterans’ breakfasts, small business and technology workshops, communication with the constituent: targeted mailings, mail-back questionnaires, cable television shows, casework and grants: social security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, tax problems, INS, passports

What is Washington (D.C.) style?

How a member operates in Congress through legislation, committees, negotiation, and party relationships.

Give two examples of Washington style.

Negotiating bills and serving on committees.

Why must members balance homestyle and Washington style?

They need electoral support at home and influence in Congress. Some devote more time to lawmaking, some focus on constituency concerns.

What are constituent relations?

Interactions and relationships between elected representatives and the people they represent.

Why are good constituent relations important?

They build trust, reveal local concerns, improve representation, and can help reelection.

What are constituent services?

Help a congressional office provides to constituents dealing with federal agencies or programs.

Give examples of constituent services.

Assistance with Social Security, veterans' benefits, passports, or federal agencies.