Chapter 13

Question 1

Bicameral Legislature

Answer 1

A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts

Question 2

Marginal District

Answer 2

Political districts in which candidates elected to the house of representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55 percent of the vote

Question 3

Safe District

Answer 3

Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55 percent or more

Question 4

Franking Privilege

Answer 4

Franking privilege predates the establishment of the republic itself and the continental congress bestowed on its members in 1775

Question 5

Reapportionment

Answer 5

Every 10 years we take a census. Each state given 1 rep. Rest of 385 reps go based on population

Question 6

Redistricting

Answer 6

Changing the districts within a state

Question 7

17th amendment

Answer 7

The Senate will hold 100 seats 2 from each state

Question 8

Baker Vs. Carr

Answer 8

This ruling allowed the federal courts to get involved in redistricting disputes that had previously been a state issue

Question 9

Shaw Vs Reno

Answer 9

There must be a compelling government interest to draw lines that aid one group

Question 10

Gerrymandering

Answer 10

manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.

Question 11

Descriptive representation

Answer 11

Be a member that reflects the majority of race/ ethnicity of the district

Question 12

Substantive Representation

Answer 12

When representatives advocate for certain groups.

Question 13

Sophomore Surge

Answer 13

A sophomore surge is a term used in the political science of the United States Congress that refers to an increase in votes that congressional candidates (candidates for the House of Representatives) usually receive when running for their first re-election.

Question 14

Fillibuster

Answer 14

An attempt to defeat a bill in the senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action to the bill

Question 15

Conservative Coalition

Answer 15

An alliance between republican and conservative democrats

Question 16

Majority Leader

Answer 16

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the house or the senate

Question 17

Whip

Answer 17

A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking

Question 18

Party Polarization

Answer 18

A vote in which a majority of Democratic legislators oppose a majority of Republican legislators

Question 19

Caucus

Answer 19

An association of congress members created to advance a political ideology or a regional, ethnic, or economic interest

Question 20

Standing committees

Answer 20

Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area.

Question 21

Select Committees

Answer 21

Congressional Committees appointed for a limited time and purpose

Question 22

Joint Committees

Answer 22

Committees on which both senators and representatives serve

Question 23

Conference Committees

Answer 23

A joint committee appointed to resolve differences in the senate and house versions of the same bill

Question 24

Public Bill

Answer 24

A legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern

Question 25

Private Bill

Answer 25

A legislative bill that deals only with specific, private, personal or local matters

Question 26

Simple resolution

Answer 26

An expression of opinion either in the House or Senate to settle procedural matters in either body

Question 27

Concurrent Resolution

Answer 27

An expression of opinion without the force of law that requires the approval of both the house and senate, but not president.