2.1 (1)

These flashcards cover key concepts about the structure and functions of the Senate and House of Representatives as outlined in the lecture notes.

Compare the structural differences between the House and the Senate in terms of membership and term lengths.

The House consists of 435 members serving 2-year terms, which leads to more frequent turnover and a focus on local electorate demands. In contrast, the Senate consists of 100 members serving 6-year terms, providing greater institutional stability and a broader statewide focus.

Explain the significance of the House Rules Committee in the legislative process.

The Rules Committee acts as a gatekeeper in the House by assigning bills to committees, scheduling floor debates, and determining the rules for amendments. This centralized control is necessary to efficiently manage legislation in a chamber with 435 members.

Describe the procedural factors that cause the House of Representatives to be more formal than the Senate.

Due to its larger membership (435 members) and shorter 2-year terms, the House requires stricter rules and more centralized leadership to move legislation. Procedures like directing all remarks to the Speaker, rather than to other members, reinforce this formality.

Contrast the constituency size and representation focus between the two houses of Congress.

Members of the House represent approximately 700,000 people within specific districts, often focusing on narrow, local interests. Senators represent all citizens of their entire state, requiring them to balance more diverse interests across a broader constituency.

Analyze how the differing term lengths in the House and Senate affect coalition building.

The 6-year terms in the Senate allow members more time to build stable, long-term bipartisan relationships. Conversely, the 2-year terms in the House can hinder the development of long-term coalitions as members are more frequently focused on reelection cycles.

Explain the purpose and institutional context of a filibuster.

A filibuster is a tactic used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote by extending debate, often through unlimited speaking. It is possible because the Senate is less centralized and operates under less formal procedural rules than the House.

Define a bipartisan coalition and explain its role in the legislative process.

A bipartisan coalition is a grouping of members from both major political parties who cooperate to pass legislation. These coalitions are vital for passing law in a bicameral system, especially when party margins are slim.

What is a congressional caucus and how does it influence legislative activity?

A caucus is a meeting or grouping of members from the same political party or interest group. They coordinate legislative strategy, discuss policy goals, and help unify members around specific party platforms or shared interests.

Compare the interaction protocols during floor debates in the House versus the Senate.

The House uses a highly structured format where members must direct all comments to the Speaker of the House to maintain decorum. The Senate characterizes a more deliberative and less centralized environment, allowing for more informal and individual-driven debate.

Explain how the size of each chamber influences its overall efficiency and formality.

The larger size of the House (435 members) necessitates formal rules and centralized power through committees like the Rules Committee to ensure efficiency. The smaller Senate (100 members) permits less formal procedures and gives more power to individual members to influence the legislative process.