1. By: Lindsay Hoerig, Matt Buchanan, Taha Taha

2. Vocab Part 1  Gerrymandering - Like process by which the majority party in each state legislation redraws congressional districts to insure the maximum number of seats for its candidates.  Cloture - A senate motion to end a filibuster requires a 3/5ths vote.  Filibuster - A strategy unique to senate, oponents of the legislation try to talk it to death.  Casework - Activities of Congress members that help constituents as individuals.

3. Vocab Part 2  Legislative oversight - congressional review of the activities of an executive agency department or office  House Rules committee - Guidelines for floor debate, it gives each bill a rule that places the bill on the legislative calendar and limits time for debate.  Pork Barrel - List of federal projects, grants and contracts available to cities, budinesses, colleges, and institutions available in a congressional district.

4. Differences between The Senate and the House: Senate  100 Members  6 year tenure  Less centralized, weaker leadership  More influential on foreign affairs  Unlimited debate  Tries impeached officials House  435 Members  2 year tenure  More centealized, stronger leadership  More Influential on budget  Limited debate  Passes articles of Impeachment

5. Committees  Standing Committee - Subject-matter committees that handle bills in different policy areas.  Joint Committee - Membership is drawn from both the House and the Senate, often deals with economy and taxation  Conference Committee - Formed whenever the Senate and the House pass the same bill in different forms. These committees work together to create create a compromise bill.  Select Committee - Committees appointed for a specific purpose. E.g Watergate investigation

6. Importance of Incumbency  incumbents are individuals that already hold office  being an incumbent means you have an advantage in the election  90% of incumbents seeking reelection win  due to the franking privilege, incumbents have greater contact with their constituents

7. Role of Seniority in Congress  increased incumbency advantage  Congress members have more power in their individual committees if they have been there longer  the most senior members hold leadership roles on committees