What are individuals currently holding office and running for reelection?
incumbents
What is the term for federal projects, grants, or contracts made available in a congressional district or state?
pork barrel legislation
Who sets procedural rules and reviews bills coming from a House committee before they go before the entire House?
House Rules Committee
Name the tactic by which opponents of a piece of legislation use their right to unlimited debate as a way to prevent a majority from passing a bill.
filibuster
This is used by political parties to draw district boundaries to favor its own candidates in elections and to control as many districts as possible.
Gerrymandering
This Supreme Court case allowed districts to consider race when redrawing their boundaries in the hopes of electing a minority leader.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
These party leaders work with the majority and minority leaders to count votes before they are cast and rely on waverers to vote in favor of the bill
whips
List economic powers of Congress. (needs at least 2 correct for points)
Impose taxes and tariffs, establish import tariffs, borrow money, regulate interstate commerce, coin and print money, determine the value of currency
List the 3 requirements to be in the House of Representatives.
at least 25 years old, US citizen for at least 7 years, live in state and district which elected to represent
List the 3 requirements to be in the Senate.
30+ years old, US citizen for 9+ years, resident of the state
How often is a census taken & how does this impact Congress? (need both correct for points!!)
Taken every 10 years, the census can cause states to lose seats in the House of Representatives through redistricting.
At what point in the bill making process do most bills die?
Most bills die when they go first to a standing committee and then are assigned to a subcommittee.
Which side of Congress is designed to represent the states equally, and how many members does it have? (needs both correct for points!!)
Senate - 100 members (2 per state)
Which side of Congress is designed to represent the states in proportion to its population, and how many members does it have? (needs both correct for points!!)
House of Representatives - 435 members
If 60 Senators vote to stop the debate, a filibuster can be ended and a vote will be held. What is this called?
cloture
List the unique powers/features of the House of Representatives. (needs at least 1 listed to get points!)
power to impeach, where revenue bills start, Rules Committee
