Why do we have a bicameral Congress? (historical, theoretical, & pragmatic reasons)
answer
Historical reasons, British Parliament & colonial legislatures, pragmatic reasons, great compromise, & theoretical reasons, checks between 2 branches
question
How does bicameralism in Congress reflect the principle of federalism?
answer
Causes compromise, the goal of federalism
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What are the 2 chambers of Congress?
answer
HoR & Sen
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What does it mean to represent?
answer
To be entitled or appointed to act or speak for someone
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How do members of Congress represent their constituents?
answer
By voting
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Explain the difference between descriptive & substantive representation.
answer
Descriptive representation is the extent to which a candidate physically resembles you & substantive representation is the extent to which a candidate mimics the actions of you
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What are the main expressed powers of Congress?
answer
Power to tax, regulate commerce, coin money, declare war, support an army & necessary and proper power
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What are the steps involved in making a law?
answer
Introduced, sent to committee, goes to a debate on the floor then a vote, if passed in one house goes to the other where debating & voting continues, if passed by both houses goes to President's desk for approval or veto
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Why are committees so important to the work of Congress?
answer
The experts on certain topics in Congress
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How long does a term of Congress last?
answer
2 years
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What number Congress is currently in session?
answer
113th
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How many members are there in the HoR?
answer
435
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Which political party holds the majority of the seats in the HoR?
answer
Republican
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Who represents you in the HoR?
answer
Mike Fitzpatrick
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How are the seats in the HoR apportioned?
answer
By population
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For what reasons must seats in Congress be apportioned every 10 years?
answer
Census shows change in population
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What are the constitutional qualifications for members of Congress?
answer
HoR: Age 25, citizenship for 7 years, residence
Sen: Age 30, citizenship for 9 years, residence
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Explain the difference between a single member district and an at-large seat.
answer
Single member districts only one candidate is elected to hold office in one district, at-large seats are when the entire state is one district
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Why do politicians gerrymander districts?
answer
To give their party an advantage
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How many members are there in the Sen?
answer
100
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Which political party currently holds the majority of seats in the Sen?
answer
Republican
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Who represents you in the Sen?
answer
Bob Casey Jr. & Pat Toomey
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How does a typical senator's constituency differ from that of a typical representative in the HoR?
answer
Usually much larger than HoR
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Do the members of Congress represent a cross-section of the American people? Why or why not?
answer
No, Congress is too white, too male, & too rich to be accurate
question
When deciding to vote, what does a delegate consider?
answer
What his constituents want
question
When deciding to vote, what does a trustee consider?
answer
What his views are
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When deciding to vote, what a partisan consider?
answer
What his party's views are
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When deciding to vote, what does a politico consider?
answer
Balance of three, delegate trustee & partisan
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Compare the views of strict constructionist and a liberal constructionist.
answer
Strict is a narrow view of the Constitution & the implied powers, liberal is vice versa
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Where are the expressed powers of Congress found in the Constitution?
answer
Article I, Section 8
question
How does a copyright differ from a patent?
answer
Copyrights are forever & patents expire
question
What powers does Congress have regarding the military?
answer
Power to raise an army, declare war, & decide military spending
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Where in the Constitution for the implied powers in Congress?
answer
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 Necessary & proper clause
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Which house of Congress votes on impeachment?
answer
HoR
question
Which house of Congress conducts an impeachment trial?
answer
Sen
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What role does the Speaker of the House play?
answer
Presiding officer of the HoR
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What role does the president of the Senate play? the president pro tempore?
answer
Presiding officer of the Sen & back-up presiding officer
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What are the duties of the floor leaders?
answer
To steer legislature towards their party's goals
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What are the duties of the party whips?
answer
To monitor & marshal votes
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What happens at the opening sessions in the HoR & the Sen? What makes those events different?
answer
Organizing session, positions & committees are chosen, difference is in the HoR all seats are up for re-election at the same time
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What are the duties of the presiding officers in the HoR & Sen?
answer
Sen: Call on people HoR: Call on people & set floor agenda
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Who are the presiding officers in the HoR & Sen?
answer
Sen: Joe Biden HoR: John Boehner
question
How does seniority rule function? What are 2 criticisms of it?
answer
Most experience members reserve the top posts, seemingly discourages younger members & takes ability out of the equation
question
What role do committees play in turning bills into laws?
answer
Give their opinion on a bill, or pigeonhole just to let it die, also can mark up bills
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What is pigeonholing? Who is able to pigeonhole a bill?
answer
Committee chairman decides to ignore a bill to let it die in committee
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Where do the ideas come from for bills introduced into Congress?
answer
Constituents, Congressman, etc.
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What happens to the bill immediately after its introduction into the HoR?
answer
Given a number & a name and sent to committee
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What options does a committee have when reviewing a bill?
answer
Favorable, unfavorable or no report
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What is a mark up session?
answer
Standing committee editing a bill
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Why do members of Congress attach riders to bills that are almost certain to pass?
answer
To get them to ride through the legislative process
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What is the purpose of a discharge petition?
answer
To stop pigeonholing
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What happens to a bill on the floor of the HoR or Sen?
answer
Debated & discussed and voted upon
question
How is debate on a bill different in the HoR & Sen?
answer
HoR is time limited, Sen is not
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What is the usual purpose of a filibuster?
answer
To delay to vote of a bill to try & let it die
question
What is the purpose of a conference committee?
answer
To settle any discrepancies between the chambers
question
What are the President's options when he receives a bill from Congress?
answer
Veto or approve
question
What is the effect of a President's veto, and how can Congress respond?
answer
Goes back to Congress, can either edit it, trash it, or go for a higher majority to override the veto
question
House Majority Leader? Majority Whip?
answer
Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Republican
question
House Minority Leader? Minority Whip?
answer
Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Democrat
question
Senate Majority Leader? Majority Whip?
answer
Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Republican
question
Senate Minority Leader? Minority Whip?
answer
Harry Reid, Richard Durbin, Democrat
question
President pro tempore?
answer
Orrin Hatch
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