ap gov reading guide 11

Technology's impact on redistricting

Technology allows precise mapping, enabling gerrymandering.

Article I of the Constitution

Establishes Congress’s structure, powers, and lawmaking authority.

Bicameralism and factions

Bicameralism limits faction power by requiring chamber agreement.

House of Representatives vs. Senate

The House has shorter terms and smaller districts for greater accountability.

Table 4.1 content

Outlines the structural differences between the House and Senate.

Senate and national stability

The Senate's longer terms and staggered elections create stability.

Common occupations of Congress members

Lawyers, businesspeople, and educators are the most common.

17th Amendment impact

Allowed for direct election of senators, increasing democracy.

Most important power of Congress

The power to make laws.

Table 4.2 content

Lists Congress's enumerated and implied powers.

House of Representatives and economic policy

The House can originate revenue-raising bills.

Earmark definition

A provision directing funds to specific projects.

Pork-barrel spending

Allocates government funds for local projects to gain support.

Logrolling definition

Trading votes to pass each other's bills.

Arguments in favor of earmarks

Earmarks target funding, foster bipartisanship, and address local needs.

Congress and foreign policy

Congress declares war, approves treaties, and controls foreign funding.

Congress and the judicial branch

Congress establishes courts, sets salaries, and approves judges.

Congress and the bureaucracy

Congress oversees funding, investigates agencies, and ensures effective law execution.

Positions subject to impeachment

The President, Vice President, and civil officers can be impeached.

Power to impeach

The House of Representatives holds the power to impeach.

Senate's role in impeachment

The Senate tries and decides whether to convict impeached officials.

Constituency definition

The group of people a legislator represents.

1842 Apportionment Act mandate

Requires contiguous and equal-population congressional districts.

Unequal representation in the Senate

Smaller states have the same number of senators as larger ones.

Apportionment vs. reapportionment

Apportionment distributes congressional seats; reapportionment adjusts after each census.

Redistricting definition

Redistricting redraws district boundaries to reflect population changes.

Gerrymandering definition

Gerrymandering manipulates district boundaries for political advantage.

Polarization in Congress and redistricting connection

Safe districts from redistricting lead to extreme candidates and polarization.

Carol Swain on majority-minority districts

They concentrate minority voters, reducing broader influence.

Baker v. Carr (1962) precedent

Allowed federal courts to hear redistricting cases.

Gray v. Sanders and Reynolds v. Simms standard

Established the 'one person, one vote' standard.

Shaw v. Reno (1993) ruling

Race cannot be the predominant factor in districting.

Incumbency advantage

Incumbents are more likely to win due to recognition and resources.

Contributors to incumbency advantage

Name recognition, fundraising, and constituent services contribute.

Stronger incumbency advantage

It’s stronger in the House due to smaller constituencies and frequent elections.