American Government chapter 10, 11 & 12
What is a congressman's salary
$174,000
How are each Congressional terms referred to or labeled?
(#) numbered
Senate
100 senators (2 each state)
What Congress are we in presently?
115
Bicameral
2 houses
Senate Membership
2 per state "Millionaires club" "Good old boys club"
How many sessions are in each "Congress"
2 sessions within each term
House of Representatives
241- republicans 194- democratic
House of Representatives
435 Representatives (Based on state Population)
Senate
52- republicans 46- democratic 2- independence
Pensions
After serving for a period, will receive pension after retirement
Wat is the decision in Baker v. Carr?
Allowed federal courts to jurisdiction in a appointment cases
Who makes up congress?
Biocameral House of Senate representitives
What is a special session of Congress
Called by president when congress isn't in session
Congressional immunity
Cannot be arrested while in session & cannot be stopped for speeding on the way to capital
What is the name of the building that they meet in?
Capital building
What action can Congress take to punish a member of congress?
Census- formal vote of disapproval Expel- vote for removal
What does the 27th Amendment state?
Congressional pay raises will take effect in the subsequent term of Congress
Describe the 3 different philosophical to being a representative
Delegate- will vote according to the wishes of their constituents Trustee- constituents put trust in them to vote the way they think is best Político- combo of the 2.....delegates on major issues and trustee on minor
Cracking
Dividing an opponents votes into other districts
Gerrymandering
Drawing district boundaries to gain a advantage in elections
Before each term begins what do the parties in both houses do?
Elect leaders
When is a census done?
Every 10 years
How is the work week organized
Floor work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Junketing
Free travel for Congressional duties
Franking
Free use of mail
Conference committee
Hash out the differences between the bills
How long does the number of each house serve?
House of Representatives- 2 years Senate- 6years
How old do they need to be?
House of Representatives- 25+ years old Senate- 30+ years old
What is the # in each house?
House of Representatives- 435 representatives Senate- 100 senators
Hat is the length of citizenship required for each?
House of Representatives- 7+ years Senate- 9+years
How are the #'s of each determined
House of Representitives: state popukation based Senate: 2 per state
What kind of rule systems does Congress have for the House of Representatives? Senate?
House- set rules for each bill. Extensive rules of debate and behavior Senate- no length of time (filibusters)
When do the congressional sessions beginn
January
Kansas Senators
Jerry Moran Pat Roberts
Packing
Line includes rectangles many opposing party votes as possible in a district
Describe 6 informal rules of Congress
Loyalty Civility Specialization Reciprocity Compromise Seniority
Kansas Representatives to Congress
Lynn Jenkins Kevin Yoder
Who holds power in the senate?
Majority leader (Orrin Hatch)
What did the writers of the constitution believe the role of the legislative branch should be?
More power than any other branch. Closest lf the people
Allowances
Office staff, trips home, phones cannot be sued for libel for anything said on floor of congress
Partisan politics
Only one party in favor
Bipartisan politics
Only support of 2 parties
What are the code of ethics?
Outline rules of ethical behavior such as: no bribes, no money for speaking, keep campaign money separate from personal gain
Minority party
Party that has fewer members (left side)
Majority party
Party that has most members (right side)
Constituents
People an elected official representatives
Standing Committee
Permeant committee that takes a closer look at a bill
What are prok barrel programs?
Pet projects that a congressman will get for their district
What is a census
Population count
Public hearing
Public will testify for or against a bill
Reapportionment
Reassigning, based on census
Majority in both senate and representatives
Republican
Redistricting
Setting up new district lines after reapportionment
Who holds power in the house?
Speaker of the house (Paul Ryan)
What is an incumbent
Those currently in office
What is the function of the legislative branch?
To make laws
Who decides how much a congressman will receive for a salero
Vote for own pay raise
What is the main idea of "one person, one vote"? (Wesberry v. Sanders)
Vote in one congressional district is equal to one in another district
Why might you have a joint session in congress?
When both members meet for specific reasons. (Government shutting down)
Representatives
When elected entire house elected for 2 years Required age- at least 25 years old Legal residents- residents of state where elected Salary- 174,000
Senators
When elected one third of senate elected every 2 years Required age- at least 30 years old Legal residents- residents of state where elected Salary- $174,000
