Questions

Who draws US congressional district lines and how often are these redrawn?

State legislatures draw congressional district lines, which are redrawn every ten years after the census.

What’s the difference between redistricting and reapportionment?

Redistricting refers to the redrawing of district lines, while reapportionment is the process of reallocating seats in the House based on population changes.

Why is bicameralism important in our congress?

Bicameralism ensures a balance of power by dividing Congress into two chambers, allowing for checks and balances within the legislative process.

What are some of the major differences in the different houses of congress?

The House of Representatives has larger membership, shorter terms, and is more influenced by public opinion, while the Senate has smaller membership, longer terms, and more individual power.

Who has more power; a representative or a senator?

A senator generally has more power due to longer terms, smaller chamber size, and greater influence on national issues.

What is the most powerful job in congress?

The Speaker of the House is considered the most powerful job in Congress.

Who does the senate have the power to confirm?

The Senate has the power to confirm presidential appointments, including federal judges and cabinet members.

What checks does the congress have on the presidency and the judiciary?

Congress can impeach the president, override presidential vetoes, and confirm judicial appointments, serving as a check on both the presidency and the judiciary.

What are the steps by which a bill becomes a law?

A bill is introduced, goes through committee review, is debated and voted on in both chambers, reconciled if different, and then sent to the president for approval or veto.

How does a whip keep party members in line?

A whip communicates party policy, counts votes, and ensures members attend votes to maintain party discipline.

What congressional portion does it take to override a presidential veto?

It takes a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to override a presidential veto.

List five specific ways to kill a bill.

A bill can be killed by committee rejection, failure to advance from committee, inaction or filibuster in the Senate, being amended excessively, or being pocket-vetoed by the president.

What power does the Rules Committee have?

The Rules Committee determines the rules for debate and amendments on bills in the House of Representatives.

How does divided government affect the ability of the congress to work with the presidency?

Divided government can lead to gridlock, as different parties control different branches, making it difficult to pass legislation.

What is the relationship between congressional subcommittees & congressional parent committees?

Subcommittees fall under parent committees and focus on specific areas within the broader jurisdiction of the parent committee.

List some of the powers of the Speaker of the House.

The Speaker can set the agenda, assign committee members, lead debates, and play a key role in legislative strategy.

Describe and analyze the committee system in the lawmaking process.

The committee system allows for specialized examination of bills, facilitating detailed analysis and consideration before reaching the floor.

Explain why there is more minority representation in the House than the Senate.

The House has more members, allowing for more diversity and representation of minority groups compared to the smaller Senate.

List the top five powers of congress in order.

The top powers are: 1) Making laws, 2) Declaring war, 3) Regulating commerce, 4) Controlling the budget, 5) Impeaching officials.

What is the historical effect of midterm elections on the composition of Congress?

Midterm elections often result in the president's party losing seats, reflecting public sentiment and dissatisfaction.

Explain why Senators are more likely to be trustees than Representatives are.

Senators serve longer terms and represent larger constituencies, allowing them to take a longer-term view, whereas Representatives are more accountable to immediate constituents.

List the top five considerations a representative makes when voting on a bill.

Considerations include constituents' opinions, party alignment, personal beliefs, potential electoral impact, and lobbying influences.

How have congressional demographics changed over the past three decades?

Congressional demographics have become more diverse, with increased representation of women, minorities, and younger members.