POLISCI

How many members are in the House and Senate?

435 in the House, 100 in the Senate for a total of 535

What is the term of office for House members and Senators?

House: 2 years, no term limits. Senate: 6 years, 1/3 elected every 2 years, no term limits

Qualifications to serve in the House?

25 years old, U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the state they represent

Qualifications to serve in the Senate?

30 years old, U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state they represent

What is the incumbent advantage?

Over 90% chance of reelection due to media attention, name recognition, and free mailing (frankin

What is reapportionment?

Redistribution of House seats based on population shifts every 10 years

What is redistricting?

Redrawing congressional districts by state legislatures every 10 years

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing districts to favor one political party

Who are the leaders in the House?

Speaker of the House is the most powerful; assigns bills and members to committees

Who are the leaders in the Senate?

Majority leader assigns bills to committees; Vice President is President of the Senate

How does a bill become a law?

Introduced by a member of Congress, given a number, and goes through committees

What is pork barrel legislation?

Legislation with financial benefits for a representative's home district

What is logrolling?

Trading votes between legislators

What is the main role of Congress?

To enact laws

Who originates tax bills?

A: The House of Representatives

Who confirms appointments and ratifies treaties?

The Senate

What vote overrides a presidential veto?

Two-thirds vote of both chambers

What are executive agreements?

Agreements between heads of state that don’t require Senate ratification

Qualifications for President?

35 years old, natural-born citizen, 14 years of residency

Term limit for President?

4 years per term, 2-term limit, max of 10 years if taking over mid-term

What is impeachment?

Process to remove a president for misconduct. Presidents impeached: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinto, Donald trump

Who is next in line after the President?

Vice President, Speaker of the House, President pro tempore of the Senate

Who prepares the federal budget?

The President, but under congressional law

What is the main duty of the executive branch?

Enforce laws

When did major government expansions occur?

During the Great Depression and after 9/11 for homeland security

What court was created by the Constitution?

The Supreme Court (Article III)

Who can establish lower federal courts?

Congress

What type of court system does the U.S. have?

A dual system: state and federal courts

How long do federal judges serve?

For life, unless impeached

What affects federal judge appointments?

Partisanship

What is original jurisdiction?

Authority to hear a case for the first time

What is appellate jurisdiction?

Authority to review cases from lower courts

Difference between civil and criminal law?

Civil = person vs person; Criminal = law is broken

What is judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison (Power to declare laws unconstitutional )

What is an amicus curiae brief?

‘Friend of the court’ brief submitted by non-parties to influence a decision