Unit 4 Review Congress

 The People’s Influence Constituents’ views (Delegate) Party Views (Partisan) Personal Views (Trustee)  Congress in the Constitution The Structure of Congress Constitutional Powers  Article I, Section 8  Elastic clause

Congress HouseSenate Initiates all revenue billsMust confirm major presidential appointments Initiates impeachment proceduresHolds the impeachment trial Two year termsSix year terms, 1/3 up for reelection every two years 435 members100 members (two from each state) Members at least 25 years of age, 7 years a citizen, resident of the state Senators at least 30 years of age, 9 years a citizen, resident of the state Approves treaties

Congress Evolutionary Powers  Oversight of the Budget Authorization Appropriations  Investigation  Leadership in the House Speaker of the House Majority Leader Minority Leader Whips

Congress  Leadership in the Senate President of the Senate President pro tempore Majority Leader Minority Leader Whips  Committees and Subcommittees Types of Committees  Standing committees  Select committees  Joint committees  Conference committees

Congress The Work of Committees  Pigeonholed  Marked up Committee membership Committee Chairmen  Seniority system The Rules Committee in the House  Closed rule  Open rule  Caucuses Congressional Black Caucus

Congress  Staff  Who is In Congress? Demographics Incumbents  Franking privilege  Name recognition  More access to the media  Raise more campaign funds, $8 of every $10 of PAC money Representation  Malapportionment Wesberry v. Sanders  Gerrymandering  Minority/Majority Districting Shaw v. Reno

Congress  How a Bill becomes a Law Introduction of a bill  Simple resolution  Concurrent resolution  Joint resolution Bills in Committee  Discharge petition Calendars  5 in the House and 2 in the Senate

Congress Floor Debate  Committee of the Whole (House only) Quorum is 100 members; debate conducted by committee chairman  Amendments must be germane (House only)  Filibuster (Senate only) Cloture  Christmas tree bill Voting Conference Committee Action Presidential Action  Sign, veto, pocket veto

Congress  Criticisms of Congress Pork barrel legislation Logrolling Term limits debate Inefficiency

Congress  Why do they vote that way? President Party Ideology Constituency Interest groups Colleagues Congressional staff