LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

1. Primary Function: To make laws

2. Census/Apportionment: A Census (count of the population) is

taken every 10 years to divide up the 435 house seats. States

gain or lose representatives based on the size of their population.

3. Why redistrict: States may need to redraw lines to make sure every district has approximately the same number of people.

4. Gerrymandering: Political party in power draws district lines to make sure its party remains in power.

5. Why incumbents are so successful at being reelected

1. Easier to raise campaign funds

2. Represent districts that have been gerrymandered to their favor

3. Better known to voters

4. Solve problems for voters

6. Most powerful leader in House? Two Powers

-Speaker of the House

-Which members to recognize first, schedules bills for action, refers bills to the proper House committee, 3rd

in line for the presidency

7. President of the Senate. When he/she can vote

Vice President – If there is a tie in the Senate

8. What is a filibuster? When is it used? When a senator talks continuously to delay action on a bill. It is used by the minority party to get the majority to abandon their bill or modify it.

9. Three purposes of committees:

1. Divide work load into expert groups

2. Select a few bills to receive further consideration

3. Holding public hearings/inform public about issues facing the country

10. Difference between each of the following committees:

1. Standing Committee: Continues from one session to the next.

2. Select Committees: Temporary committee formed to look at a specific issue

3. Conference Committee: Temporary committee set up to work out the differences in a bill.

11. Role of Committee Chairperson

-When committee will meet

-Which bills will be considered

-When the hearings will be held

-Hire and fire committee staff

-Control committee budget