Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______
Chapter 10: Congress
Section 1: The National Legislature
Main Idea: The framers of the Constitution created a Congress with two bodies: a small Senate and a much larger House of Representatives. Each Congress since 1789 has net for a term of two years; those terms are now divided into two one-year sessions.
A Bicameral Legislature
Identify the historical reasoning for the creation of a bicameral legislature.
Identify the practical reasoning for the creation of a bicameral legislature.
Identify the theoretical reasoning for the creation of a bicameral legislature.
Terms and Sessions
Which date marks the beginning of each term of Congress?
Which term of Congress will begin in 2009?
How many sessions are in each term of Congress? Which constitutional amendment established this?
When does Congress adjourn each session?
Define prorogue:
What is a special session? Who may call these sessions?
Chapter 10: Congress
Section 2: The House of Representatives
Main Idea: The 435 members of the House of Representatives represent districts of roughly equal populations but very different characters. House members can serve for an unlimited number of two-year terms.
Size and Terms
How many members make up the House of Representatives?
How is membership apportioned in the House?
What does Article 1, Section 2, Clause 1 state about the elected term of a member of the House?
Reapportionment
How often does Congress redistribute seats among the states?
Explain the provisions of the Reapportionment Act of 1929.
Congressional Elections
When are congressional elections held?
Generally, what happens to Congress in off-year elections?
Explain single-member district voting.
Who is responsible for drawing congressional districts within a state?
What requirements must be met when drawing congressional district lines?
Define gerrymandering. Where does the term come from?
What are the two reasons why districts are gerrymandered?
Identify Wesberry v. Sanders (1684):
Explain the significance of Gomillion v. Lightfoot, Bush v. Vera, and Hunt v. Cromartie.
Qualification of House Members
What are the formal qualifications to be a member of the House?
Chapter 10: Congress
Section 3: The Senate
Main Idea: Each state has two seats in the Senate, the smaller and more prestigious house of Congress. Senators are generally older and more experienced than representatives, and their long terms protect them from political pressure.
Size, Election, and Terms
What does the Constitution say about the size of the Senate?
What was the original method for electing Senators?
Which amendment changed the method? What is the new method?
What is the elected term of a U.S. Senator?
Why is the Senate considered a continuous body?
Qualifications for Senators
What are the formal qualifications for a U.S. Senator?
Chapter 10: Congress
Section 4: The Members of Congress
Main Idea: members of Congress must fill several roles as lawmakers, politicians, and servants of the voters. For their work, they receive fairly generous pay and benefits.
The Job
What 5 roles do members of Congress play?
Identify and describe each of a legislators four voting options?
What is oversight?
Compensation
What is the salary for a member of Congress?
What are some of the “fringe benefits” of being a member of Congress?
What is the franking privilege?