Political Science Chapter 11: Congress

Study Notes

Congressional Representation

Seats in the House of Representatives are apportioned based on population, determined every ten years by the census. Each state gets at least one representative.
A congressional district is a geographic area represented by one member of the House; California has 53 representatives for its 53 districts.
District lines are usually drawn by state legislatures, often influenced by the majority party, though some states use bipartisan or nonpartisan commissions.

Voting and Representation Types

The "one person, one vote" rule ensures that legislative districts maintain equal population sizes to grant equivalent voting power, as established in Reynolds v. Sims.
Two representation types: instructed delegate representation (votes according to constituents' wishes) and trustee representation (makes decisions based on personal judgment).

Incumbency and Public Opinion

Incumbents have a higher likelihood of winning elections due to public recognition, access to campaign finance, government resources, and established trust with voters.
Public opinion influences congressional decisions more when issues are salient and constituents are informed; less influence occurs when public interest is low or divided.

Congressional Leadership and Processes

Whips assist in informing members of Congress about issues and gauging party support on matters.
The Vice President serves as the presiding officer of the Senate and fulfills ceremonial roles within the President's administration.

Legislative Process

After passing in the House and Senate, a bill must be signed by the President or it can be vetoed—overriding a veto requires a two-thirds vote from both chambers.
Debate in the House of Representatives is structured and limited; leadership controls who speaks and for what duration.
Bills are introduced and initially read; they are then referred to committees for markup.

Conference Committees and Types of Committees

If the House and Senate create different versions of a bill, it will go to a conference committee, which drafts a compromise version that must be accepted by both chambers.
Types of committees include standing committees (permanent legislative bodies), subcommittees (focused on specific issues), and special/select committees (formed for particular tasks or investigations).

Description

Test your knowledge of Congress with this quiz based on Chapter 11. Dive into the intricacies of apportionment, congressional districts, and the structure of the House of Representatives. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their understanding of U.S. government.