Chapter 10 SG Lists

Question 1

Know the three reasons why the House of Representatives is bicameral

Answer 1

1) Historical basis- British parliament had 2 houses.
2) Practical Reason- Settled conflict between small and large states
3) Theoretical Reason- Check and balance each other

Question 2

Know the three unique powers of the house

Answer 2

1) Power to impeach the president
2) Decide presidential election if no clear winner
3) All tax bills start in the house (power of the purse)

Question 3

Know the 3 unique powers of the senate

Answer 3

1) Holds impeachment trials
2) ratify treaties
3) confirms executive office appointments

Question 4

Know the two ways in which gerrymandering is done

Answer 4

1) Packing-Concentrate the oppositions votes in as few districts as possible
2) Cracking-Spreads the oppositions voters out in as many districts as possible

Question 5

Know the qualifications of a house member

Answer 5

1) must be 25 years old
2) must be a citizen of USA for at least 7 years
3) must be a resident of that state

Question 6

Know the qualifications of a Senator

Answer 6

1) must be 30 years old
2) must be a citizen of USA for 9 years
3) live in the states

Question 7

Know the 5 major roles of a congressmen

Answer 7

1) Legislators- Makes Laws
2) Representatives- Voice of ppl
3) Committee members- Screen bills
4) servants to constituents- provide help to the ppl
5) Politicians- Work for the government

Question 8

Know the 3 limits on congressional pay

Answer 8

1) President can veto it
2) Voter backlash- most important
3) 27th amendment- does not take effect until the next term

Question 9

Four ways members of Congress Vote

Answer 9

1) Trustee- Votes according to their conscience and judgement
2) Delegate-Votes according to what their ppl want
3) Partisan- Votes according to their political party
4) Politico- Tries to combine and balance the believes of trustee, delegates, and partisan

Question 10

2 types of bills

Answer 10

1) Public bills- law involving everyone

2) Private bills- law involving specific groups

Question 11

Where ideas for “bills” come from

Answer 11

1) Executive branch
2) ppl
3) special interest groups

Question 12

5 steps on how a bill becomes a law

Answer 12

1) bill is introduced by a congressman
2) goes to committee for action(most die here-pigeon hole)
3) goes to full house/full senate-Debate/Vote(house gets 5 min per person, Senate has no limit)
4) conference committee-“iron out” or look at the differences in the bill and tries to compromise it.
5) President Signs- becomes a law or vetos it

Question 13

Fringe benefits of congressman

Answer 13

1) housing tax allowance
2) travel allowance
3) cheap health insurance
4) pensión Plan
5) free office and expenses for staff

Question 14

Differences between the house and senate

HOUSE

Answer 14

1) Larger (435 members)
2) shorter term(2yrs)
3) smaller constituency (district)
4) all elected every 2 years
5) less prestige

Question 15

Differences between the house and senate

SENATE

Answer 15

1) smaller (100 members)
2) longer term(6yrs)
3) larger constituency (state)
4) one third elected every 2 years
5) more prestige