Issues/Terms that relate just to HOUSE
Issues/Terms that relate just to HOUSE
pages 4-5can you think of any?
pages 4-5can you think of any?
Article I of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportion, or redistribute, seats in the House after each decennial census
Reapportionment
Article I of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportion (redistribute) seats in the House after each decennial census
Theory of Descriptive representation:
Elected legislature should reflect the demographic characteristics of the constituency
Reapportionment Act of 1929
Permanent size of the House = 435, so long as Congress does not change it.
Following each census, the Census Bureau in the House is to determine the number of seats each State should have.
When the bureau’s plan is ready, the President must send it to Congress
If, within 60 days, neither house rejects it, it becomes law
State legislators determine how the districts will be drawn
Each of the 435 seats represents about 650,000 Americans
State legislatures determine how the districts will be drawn
Each of the 435 seats represents about 650,000 people
Reapportionment in Action
1990 Census:
Redrew districts, increasing representation.
African-American representation went up by 50% and Hispanic representation went up by 70%
Shaw v. Reno
Shape of district was 160 miles down I-85...African-American majority
White voters challenged this (first African American representatives in Congress since Reconstruction)
Many felt that it was done to the advantage of African Americans and the disadvantage of White Americans
redistricting on race to be held to standard of strict scrutiny by district court(compelling State interest) and must be sure to comply witht the Voting Rights Act
It was redrawn a few times and eventually ended up with a plurality of white voters
Felt that racial gerrymandering can violate the Equal Protection Clause
Population shifts in the past 20 years have given more seats in the House to Southern States while reducing the numbers from other regions
House of Representative Leaders:
Leadership carries more power in the House than Senate because of House rules
House leaders do the scheduling and determine how the rules should be applied
Speaker of the House
Elected by whichever party has the majority
Presides over all House meetings
Uses her power to help pass legislation favored by her party
Speaker ContinuedDecides who shall be recognized to speak on the floor of the House, rules whether a motion is relevant and relates to the business at hand. Decides the committee to which new bills shall be assigned
Influences what bills are brought up for a vote and appoints the members of special and select committees
Majority Leader of the Housekeeps party members in line
helps determine party policy and legislative agenda
Majority elects this person. Usually becomes Speaker if something happens to the Speaker and that party is still in the majority.
Minority Leader of the House
Does the same as the Majority Leader, only for the minority party
John Boehner, From Ohio
Whips
Keep members in line and loyal to the party agenda, helps leaders stay informed, rounds up members for votes, keep count of how voting on controversial issues is likely to go
Eric Cantor
Evolution of House
Phase 1
Powerful House
Washington, Adams, Jefferson and House overshadowed Senate
Phase II
Divided House
Jackson asserted power of Presidency
Party Unity shattered by slavery
Leadership of House remained weak
Phase IV:
House Revolts
Speaker loses power to appoint committee chairmen and be part of the rules committee
Phase V: Members Rule
Committee chairmen had to be elected by members of the majority party, no longer by seniority
Need to make subcommittees
FilibusterFilibuster
When a senator speaks with no intention of stopping. The intent is to delay a vote on a bill and tie up the work of Senate. This was a common and unpopular feature of Senate by the end of the 19th Century.
Used heavily by isolationists to keep America out of WWI
Vote of Cloture (Rule 22)
Way to end a filibuster. Places a time limit on the consideration of a bill1917 - way to stop isolationistsVotes of 60 members in Senate. Difficult when two parties are evenly represented.
President Pro TemporeThe majority party chooses one of its members, usually the person with the greatest seniority.Largely an honorific position required by the Constitution so that the Senate will have a presiding officer when the VP is not there.Robert Byrd, West Virginia
Majority Leader (real leadership is in the hands of this person
Helps determine party policy and legislative agendaRecognized first by floor debateServes the needs of other officers, gives choice committee assignments, materials, etc.Harry Reid, Nevada
Whips, AKA Assistant Party Leaders
Senator who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinkingRounds up members for important votesKeep count of how voting on controversial issues is likely to goKyl (Republican)Durbin (Democratic)
REVIEW
Why do we have a bicameral legislature?
Historical Reason
Practical Reason
Theoretical Reason
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