CONGRESSIONAL DETAILS

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CONGRESSIONAL DETAILS
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QUALIFICATIONSOF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• 25 years old
• American citizen for 7 years
• Resident of state represented
• May be a naturalized citizen

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POWERS OF THESPEAKER OF THEHOUSE

• Preside when house is in session
• Control discussions on the floor
• National spokesperson of the party
• Exercise substantial control over committee
  assignments of bills

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KEY DIFFERENCES OF HOUSE AND SENATE

• Number of members
• Term lengths
• Limited debate in house, not in Senate
• Senate more influential in foreign affairs

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STAFF AGENCIES

• Congressional budget office
• Office of technology assessment
• General accounting office
• Congressional research service

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INCUMBENT ADVANTAGES

• Understand national issues
• Name recognition
• Have a staff to perform services
• Sit on committees to help serve district interests

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CONGRESSIONAL TRENDSThere has been an increase
in

• Reelection of incumbents
• Influence of committee chairs
• Power of subcommittees
• Cost of elections

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A conference committee is referred a bill when
both the senate and house pass different versions
of it.

• The rules committee sets the agenda for
  legislation coming to the floor

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REASONS PEOPLE CHOOSE CANDIDATES

• Positive standing in polls
• Political party
• Position on issues
• Political ads

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Constituents are more concerned with actions
their representative takes regarding something
local over national issues.

• (Recommending a high school senior to a military
  academy over dealing with PACs and interest
  groups.)

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NONLEGISLATIVE SENATE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Impeachment trials
• Ratify treaties
• Confirm presidential appointments.

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PIGEONHOLED

• The majority of bills die in committee or
  subcommittee

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Incumbency is the greatest advantage for
someone to win a congressional election. Period.
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FACTORS AFFECTING HOW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS VOTE

• Constituents
• The president
• Lobbyists (interest groups)
• Other members

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MALAPPORTIONMENT

• When there is unequal population in districts
• The Supreme Court ruled this is illegal
• One man, One vote is supposed to guarantee equity.

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THE MEDIA CONGRESS

• More adversarial by the year

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FILLING COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS

• IS DETERMINED BY SENIORITY ON THE COMMITTEE

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SENATE MAJORITY LEADER

• Consults with the minority leader
• Schedules the business of the senate

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CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS

• DETERMINES PARTY LEADERS

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REVENUE BILLS

• Must be started in the house
• Are first referred to the Ways and Means committee

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RULES COMMITTEE

• Very influential
• Sets the agenda for legislation on the floor