Class notes
American Politics Chapter 6
- Course
- PSC 001
- Institution
- Hofstra University
Describes Congressional Procedures such as the filibuster or different committees.
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American Politics Chapter 6:● Two house legislatures called bicameral legislature. Population of each state determines
number of representatives
● Eligible electorate elects members of House of Representatives to two year terms. Framers
ensured that the electorate would be more responsive to the people.
● After the U.S. Census appointment adjusts the number of seats allocated to each state.
● Senators elected to six- year terms. Originally, state legislatures would choose, because the
Framers intended senators to represent their state’s interests.
● ⅓ of all senators are up for reelection every 2 years.
● Congress has the authorities to make laws and raise and spend revenues. No bill can become
law without the consent of both houses. Declare war, raise an army and navy, coin money,
regulate commerce, and establish federal courts and their jurisdiction, set forth rules of
immigration, necessary and proper clauses. Allows congress to increase the scope of its
authority.
● Members of Congress have more formal years of education, are wealthier, more often male,
and more likely to be white. Nearly ¾ of the House and Senate members hold advanced
degrees.
● More than half of the members of Congress are millionaires.
● House members average nearly 58 years old. Senators 63.
● Members of Congress are more likely to profess a religious affiliation.
● Representation theories:
● 1) Representative should be a trustee who listens to the opinion of constituents and then can
be trusted to use their own best judgment to make final decisions
● 2) Representatives should be a delegate who votes in the way their constituents would want
them to.
● 3) Representatives: Politico alternatively dons the hat of a trustee or delegate depending on the
issue.
● Election laws in various states often discriminate against independents,
● Incumbency helps members stay in office once elected.
● Difficult for outsiders to win because of name recognition, access to free media, an inside track
on fundraising, and a district drawn to favor the incumbent.
● Baker v Carr: A Supreme Court case in which the court ruled that redistricting presents what
the Constitution called a justiciable question. Prior cases that held redistricting cases were
political questions over which the Court has no jurisdiction
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