U3 P1

Question 1

The House of Representatives - Requirements to serve

Answer 1

1) at least 25 yrs. old
2) must be a legal resident in state they represent
3) must have lived in the U.S. at least 7 years.

Question 2

The House of Representatives - Elections

Answer 2

all 435 members serve two-year terms; elected every two years.

Question 3

The House of Representatives - Redistricting

Answer 3

Based on the census (done every 10 yrs.), House seats are apportioned based on relative population (at least 1/state) and new legislative districts are drawn. The voters in each district elect one Representative.

Question 4

The Senate - Requirements to serve

Answer 4

1) at least 30 yrs. old
2) must be a legal resident in state they represent
3) must have lived in the U.S. at least 9 years.

Question 5

The Senate - Elections

Answer 5

the 100 members serve six-year terms; 1/3 are elected every 2 yrs

Question 6

The Senate - C

Answer 6

All states have two Senators each. State legislatures selected Senators until the 17th Amendment changed the method to a statewide popular vote.

Question 7

The Powers of Congress (Article I, Section 8) - A

Answer 7

Both houses of Congress vote on bills (proposed laws)

Question 8

The Powers of Congress (Article I, Section 8) - B

Answer 8

The Necessary & Proper Clause (Elastic Clause): Implied commerce powers are nearly unlimited.

Question 9

The Powers of Congress (Article I, Section 8) - C

Answer 9

The House alone initiates revenue (tax) bills and impeaches gov. officials.

Question 10

The Powers of Congress (Article I, Section 8) - D

Answer 10

The Senate alone: approves Presidential appointments (majority vote) and treaties (2/3 vote); tries impeached government officials (2/3 vote to convict).

Question 11

The Incumbency Factors

Answer 11

Being in office has advantages that help incumbents stay in office:
1) Media access
2) Pork-barrel “earmarks”
3) Casework
4) Franking privilege
5) Money
6) Experience
7) McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform

Question 12

Media access

Answer 12

greater name recognition for news-making incumbents.

Question 13

Pork-barrel (“earmarks”)

Answer 13

taking credit for bringing Federal projects & money to their district/state.

Question 14

Casework

Answer 14

having paid staff assist with bureaucratic problem
(Example: getting/finding government checks for constituents)

Question 15

Franking privilege

Answer 15

Congress members get unlimited free mail.

Question 16

Money

Answer 16

easier for incumbents to raise funds; over time, they accumulate a “war chest” of leftover campaign cash.

Question 17

Experience

Answer 17

in running campaigns; greater knowledge of gov. & issues

Question 18

McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Answer 18

limits campaign ads that criticize candidates, making it harder for lesser-known challengers to compete