Questions and Answers
What does the term 'constituents' refer to?
What is reapportionment?
The process of reallocating congressional seats based on changes in population.
Redistricting is solely about maintaining party power.
False
What is gerrymandering?
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What is a safe seat?
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Incumbents generally have a disadvantage in election campaigns.
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What are earmarks?
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What does bicameralism refer to?
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Which of the following is an example of enumerated powers?
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What is the role of the Speaker of the House?
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What is the purpose of a party caucus?
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What does the Majority Leader do?
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What is the function of the Minority Leader?
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What is the role of the Whip in Congress?
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What is a closed rule in Congress?
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What is an open rule in legislation?
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Study Notes
Constituents
- Constituents are citizens who vote for politicians, influencing government functioning at the state level.
- Example: All individuals in Wisconsin represent constituents of the governor, irrespective of their voting history.
Reapportionment
- Reapportionment changes the number of congressional seats a state has, affecting representation.
- Example: Post-2010 census saw Wisconsin gain congressional seats due to population growth compared to other states.
Redistricting
- Redistricting ensures equal representation across voting districts.
- Example: A district with a significant imbalance (10% African-American poor conservatives vs. 90% rich white Democrats) may be redrawn for fairer representation.
Gerrymandering
- Gerrymandering manipulates district boundaries to favor a specific political party or group.
- Example: The case Reynolds v. Sims highlights the implications of this practice.
Safe Seat
- A safe seat indicates districts where a candidate has a strong chance of election, guiding party strategies.
- Example: Sensenbrenner's district in Wisconsin was considered a safe seat.
Incumbent
- Incumbents are current officeholders, benefiting from name recognition and established reputations during elections.
- Example: Ron Johnson utilized his status as incumbent when running for re-election as Wisconsin Senator.
Earmarks (Pork Barrel)
- Earmarks enhance an incumbent's reputation and help sustain their office tenure.
- Example: In 2006, a $500,000 earmark was allocated to the Teapot Museum in Sparta, N.C.
Bicameralism
- Bicameralism divides legislative powers between two chambers, providing checks and balances.
- Example: Congress can impeach the president and judges while managing treaty approvals and judicial nominations.
Enumerated Powers (Express Powers)
- Enumerated powers define specific authorities, ensuring government functionality and control.
- Example: Powers include raising money, regulating commerce, and declaring war.
Speaker
- The Speaker of the House leads legislative decisions and supervises House activities.
- Example: Paul Ryan served as Speaker, holding significant influence in decision-making processes.
Party Caucus
- Party caucuses elect leadership positions, manage committee assignments, and prioritize legislative issues.
- Example: Democratic leaders holding a meeting prior to the national convention.
Majority Leader
- The majority leader strategizes for the party and facilitates communication among party members.
- Example: Mitch McConnell has held this position, orchestrating party agendas.
Minority Leader
- The minority leader maintains party organization and discipline.
- Example: Currently, Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, serves as the minority leader in the Senate.
Whip
- The whip's role involves ensuring party cohesion and enforcing policy adherence among members.
- Example: John Cornyn is the Republican whip in the Senate.
Closed Rule
- A closed rule restricts debate topics and the legislative process on the House floor.
- Example: It may limit discussions to specific aspects of an issue, such as marriage in the context of gay rights.
Open Rule
- An open rule promotes free debate and the introduction of amendments during House discussions.
- Example: Proposals regarding civil liberties, like gay rights, can be freely debated among members.
President Pro Tempore
- The president pro tempore presides over the Senate in the absence of the vice president, typically holding a ceremonial role.
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Description
Explore key terms and their significance from AP Government Chapter 11 through flashcards. Learn about important concepts like constituents and reapportionment, including examples to deepen your understanding of their roles in government.
