1	"I" I. 435 in House-2 yr. term-25 age 100 in Senate-6 yr. term-30 age Safe seats-predictably won by one party Most incumbents win: High name recognition Staffs Access to the media
2	"Reapportionment- the right to apportion..." Reapportionment- the right to apportion representatives among the states according to population Redistricting-state legislatures draw the district lines subject to a gubernatorial veto; the party in control will draw to enhance it’s own political fortunes Gerrymandering-subject to some constitutional limitations Each district must be equal in population, redistricting occurs once a decade, after each national census Must not be overzealous in favoring one party at the expense of another Racial considerations
3	"Bicameralism" Bicameralism Most countries one house has most if not all of the power Serves to moderate influence, allows bargaining Article 1 powers House – raising money Senate – confirm president’s nominations, consent to treaties
4	"Representation" Representation Lawmaking Consensus building Oversight authority Policy clarification Confirmation powers (in the Senate)
5	"Key Congressional Leadership Positions" Key Congressional Leadership Positions Speaker of the House of Representatives Majority leaders (House and Senate) Minority leaders (House and Senate) Whips (House and Senate) President Pro Temp (Senate) Vice-President (President of Senate)
6	"The Speaker is formally elected..." The Speaker is formally elected by the House; the Speaker directs business on the floor of the House, and is very influential The majority leader assists the Speaker in planning party strategy The minority leader is the leader of the opposition party (minority party) Whips assist each floor leader, serving as liaisons between the house leadership of each party Succession: VP, Speaker, Senate Pro Temp The House Rules Committee-open rule versus closed rule
7	"More prestigious" More prestigious Senators have more diverse policy interests than do members of the House The Senate is a more open, fluid body The filibuster- delay action-unlimited debate or prevent a vote-Not in the House Cloture votes may end the filibuster The power to confirm- senatorial courtesy
8	"1" 1. Policy convictions-On controversial issues 2. Voters- attentive public 3.Colleagues-log rolling 4.Congressional staff 5.Party 6.Interest groups-access 7. The president
9	"After introduction" After introduction, bill is referred to a appropriate standing committee Conference committee reconciles different versions of a bill President can veto or sign If vetoed, Congress can override by two-thirds vote
10	"After authorize a program" After authorize a program, have to appropriate the funds to implement Appropriations are processed by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees Entitlements are statutory requirements that government payments be made to any individual or unit of government that meets eligibility criteria established in the law. Entitlements are a binding obligation on the government and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not met. Examples of entitlements include Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, federal retirement benefits, and unemployment compensation.
11	"Standing committees" Standing committees Special or select committees Joint committees Conference committees Majority party has the majority of seats and has the chair. Senate-seniority, House-ideology =Chairman
12	"Inefficient" Inefficient Unrepresentative Unethical Lacks collective responsibility The American public tends to evaluate Congress negatively except for their own Congress person.