test pt1

What is a basic characteristic of Congress's operation?

Operates under its own rules and is constitutionally dominant.

Who do members of Congress represent?

Constituents, including: - Individual Citizens - Organized Interests - The District as a whole

What is 'incumbency' in the context of districts?

It refers to the unfair advantage held by current officeholders, often due to manipulation like gerrymandering.

What is Gerrymandering?

The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage over another, often creating 'safe' versus 'competitive' districts.

What were the racial and ethnic demographics of the 119th Congress (House and Senate combined) according to the notes?

• White: 301- Black: 61- Hispanic: 46- Asians: 18- Multi: 5

What were the gender demographics of the 119th Congress according to the notes?

Male: 72% (Female percentage not specified but implied to be opposite)

What was the party breakdown in the House of Representatives for the 119th Congress?

• Democrats: 49%- Vacancies: 1%- Republicans: 50%

What was the party breakdown in the Senate for the 119th Congress?

• Democrats: 45%- Independents: 2%- Republicans: 53%

How are committee assignments typically determined in Congress?

Assignments are generally based on seniority, and members often get to choose where they want to go.

What is 'The Distributive Tendency' in congressional decision-making?

This refers to the propensity of political systems to favor the distribution of benefits to particular constituencies, often through the allocation of resources or projects.

What does it mean for a politician to be 'primaried'?

It means an incumbent politician faces a significant challenge during their party's primary election from a candidate often perceived as more ideologically pure.

How do primary elections and general elections differ in their role regarding party polarization?

Primary elections often push candidates towards more extreme ideological positions to appeal to their party's base, which contributes to polarization, while general elections typically require candidates to appeal to a broader electorate.