1. CONGRESIONAL MEMBERSHIP

2. It is made up of two houses:
1-Explain how the US Congress is a bicameral legislature?
It is made up of two houses:

3. It initiates and approves laws
2-What is the most important function performed by Congress?
It initiates and approves laws

4. 3-How long is a Congressional term?
TWO Years
January 3, January 3, 2017

5. 4-The House of Representatives has ______ members
435

6. 5-Qualifications for the House of Representatives:
Age-
25 years old
Citizenship-
7 years
Residency-
Legal resident of the state that elects them
Length of term for a member of the House
2 years
When does the term of office begin?
January 3

7. 6-What is reapportionment?
Each state’s population determines the number of representatives it will have.
Every 10 years, after the census, the number of representatives may change [More reps, fewer reps or the same]
Reapportionment is the process of determining which states receive more reps, fewer reps or the same number of reps.

8. 7-How is a state’s reapportionment determined?
POPULATION

9. 8-Explain redistricting
The process of setting up new congressional district lines

10. 9-Who is in charge of redistricting?
State Legislatures

11. Gerrymandering

12. 10-Explain Gerrymandering. What is its purpose?
Drawing district boundaries to give one party and electoral advantage over the other party.
When one party is dominant in a state legislature, it tries to draw congressional districts to ensure victory in future elections.
Dangerous for democracy
Creates odd shaped districts to keep the same party or House member in control of that district, election after election
Eliminates competition

16. .

17. PA 7th

18. Illinois 4th

20. Gerrymanderville In pencil, “gerrymander”:
Plan 1 in favor of the Republican Party. [4-5 counties per district]
Plan 2 in favor of the Democratic Party. [4-5 counties per district]
Plan 3 create a plan that is fair to both parties.

23. Gerrymandering Movie
As you watch the movie, respond to the questions from the Viewer’s Guide

24. 11-The United States Senate has _ members.
100

25. 12-Qualifications for the United States Senate:
Age-
30 Years Old
Citizenship-
9 years
Residency-
Legal resident of the state
Length of term for a member of the Senate-
6 years
When does the term of office begin?
January 3

26. 13-What are some of the benefits enjoyed by members of the United States Congress?
$174,000/year
Free postage [“franking privilege]
Medical Clinic
Gym
Allowance to pay staff, trips home.
Income tax deduction to keep up two residences
Free haircuts
Great restaurants in both the House and Senate
Pension for life after retirement

27. 14-What are some of the privileges of members of Congress?
Free from arrest in Congress and travelling to and from Congress
[except treason or felony]
Cannot be sued for anything said on the floor of either house
Judge qualifications of new members and whether to seat them
Each house may refuse to seat an elected member by majority vote

28. 15-How can members of Congress be punished?
15-How can members of Congress be punished?
Each house can punish its own members for disorderly behavior by a majority vote
Each house can expel a member by a two-thirds vote
Expulsion: treason, accepting bribes.
Censure: formal vote of disapproval for members guilty of lesser crimes.

29. 5-Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico
16-In addition to the voting members of the House, list the four delegates.
1-District of Columbia
2-Guam
3-American Samoa
4-Virgin Islands
5-Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico
These delegates cannot vote, but what do they do?
Attend sessions
Introduce bills
Speak in debates
Vote in committees

30. Members who are already in office 90% win reelection
17-What is an incumbent?
Members who are already in office
90% win reelection

31. They can raise campaign funds while in office Gerrymandered districts
18-Why do you think it is easier for incumbents to win re-election?
They can raise campaign funds while in office
Gerrymandered districts
Better known to voters: TV, news stories, name recognition
Use their position to solve problems of grateful voters
Voters believe they best represent their views

33. What is Gerrymandering?
Two forms
1-to concentrate the opposition’s voters in one or a few districts, thus leaving the other districts comfortably safe for the dominant party.
2-to spread the opposition as thinly as possible among several districts, limiting the opposition’s ability to win anywhere in the region
The main goal: create as many safe districts as possible-districts almost certain to be won by the party in control of the line-drawing process. .