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Chapter 10: Congress. What we already know…. Two Houses: Why? House & Senate Size Qualifications Elections? Terms? Limits? Leadership Speaker of the House House Majority, Minority Leader Senate Majority, Minority Leader. Comparative Government: Legislative Bodies. Apportionment.
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What we already know… • Two Houses: Why? • House & Senate • Size • Qualifications • Elections? Terms? Limits? • Leadership • Speaker of the House • House Majority, Minority Leader • Senate Majority, Minority Leader
Apportionment • The exact size of the House of Representatives, currently at 435 members, is determined by Congress. • The Reapportionment Act of 1929 set the “permanent” size of the House at 435 members, and provided for “automatic reapportionment.” • The Constitution provides that the total number of seats in the House shall be apportioned (distributed) among the States on the basis of their respective populations. • Article I of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportion—redistribute—the seats in the House after each decennial census (10 years).
Congressional Elections Congressional elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. Off-year (or midterm) elections are those congressional elections held between presidential elections.
Penalty • Checkpoint: What is the penalty if the President is impeached and convicted? • Convicted officials, including the President, are removed from office and can be banned from holding office again.
Executive Powers All major presidential appointments must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Senate. The Senate rarely rejects a Cabinet appointment, though candidates may be withdrawn. The custom of senatorial courtesy means the Senate will only approve appointees supported by the Senators from the appointee’s state who belong to the President’s party.
Legislators/Lawmakers Committee Members Screen bills and make recommendations Oversight function of governmental agencies 3. Representatives of their Constituents Those who elect them 4. Servants of their Constituents 5. Politicians Much time spent fundraising for future elections Duties of Congressmen