Chapter 10 Congress

 

Section 1 The National Legislature

 

Political Dictionary

 

  1. Term- How long a session of congress lasts; two years

 

  1. Session- Period of time during which each year, Congress assembles and conducts business.  There are two sessions for each term.

 

  1. Adjourn- When congress suspends business until the next session.

 

  1. Prorogue- The power the president has to end a congressional session.

 

  1. Special Session- The power the president has to call congress into session, usually for some emergency.

 

 

Key Points

 

·        Bicameral Congress- Two houses of congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate

 

·        Terms and Sessions (Above)

 

 

Section 2 The House of Representatives

 

Political Dictionary

 

  1. Apportion- The total number of seats in the House shall be apportioned (distributed) among the states based on their populations.

 

  1. Reapportion- House seats are reapportioned after each 10-year census.

 

  1. Off-Year Election- Congressional elections that don’t occur during presidential election years. 2008 is a presidential election year so 2010 will be the next off-year election.

 

  1. Single-Member District- Voters in a congressional elect their representative from among a number of candidates.

 

  1. At-Large District- Voters in a state elect their representative from the state as a whole.  This is done when the state has a very small population, like Wyoming or Alaska.

 

  1. Gerrymandering- Congressional districts that are drawn to the advantage of a political party or to further a political goal.

 

Key Points

 

·        Size and Terms of Congressional Districts

 

·        Reapportionment

 

·        Congressional Elections

 

·        Qualifications for House Members

 

 

Section 3 The Senate

 

Political Dictionary

 

  1. Continuous Body- All senate seats are never up for election at the same time.

 

  1. Constituencies- People and interests a senator (and a member of the House) represent.

 

 

Key Points

 

 

 

 

Section 4 The Members of Congress

 

Political Dictionary

 

  1. Trustee- A member of congress who believe that each question they face should be decided only on its merits, that is, without political consideration.

 

  1. Partisans- Members of congress who owe their first allegiance to their political party.

 

  1. Politicos- Members of congress who try to combine and balance their different roles (trustee, partisan).

 

  1. Oversight Function- Congress making sure the executive branch (President) agencies are working effectively.

 

  1. Franking Privilege- Members of congress may mail materials for free.

 

 

Key Points

 

 

 

Compensation