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Our Congress makes decisions that take into account such factors as; what their constituents want, what is best for the nation, influence of their political party, and their conscience.
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Though Congress does not have term limits, States can determine for themselves to have term limits on their "state" legislatures.
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The main responsibilities of Congress are to; represent the people, make laws & policies, and provide "oversight" on the other branches of national government.
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U.S. Senator serves a term of 6-years, must be a U.S. Citizen, at least 30 years of age, and a resident of the state they represent.
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U.S. Representative serves a term of 2-years, must be a U.S. Citizen, at least 25 years of age, and resident of the state where they are elected.
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The total number of terms a U.S. Representatives and Senators can be elected are_______.
Unlimited (no term limits)
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In our bicameral (two chambers) Congress, the House of Representatives (2 year terms) is the chamber that by design should be more responsive to the needs of their local constituents/people.
Senate (6 year term) is responsive to national needs.
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The House has 435 representatives, even when the population increases this number statys constant and has been constant since 1913ish.
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Which Congress is in power today?
111th
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How many Congress' have we had since 1789?
111
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Reapportionment-
is the process whereby every 10 years a national census is taken and the number of House Representatives granted to each state increases or decreases (or stay the same) based upon population.
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Redistricting-
is the process of States redrawing their district lines, and States must follow requirement that districts be equal in population.
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Gerrymandering is redistricting for polictical advantage, which is very much legal.
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The District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) and U.S. territory of Puerto Rico are not states, but they do have non-voting members in the House of Representatives.
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The Seventeenth Amendment changed our Constitution to give citizens the ability to directly vote for our Senators.
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Who is the President of the Senate?
Vice President
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Correct statements about Impeachment:
- The Senate has the sole responsibility of trial & conviction.
- The House has the sole responsibility for charging the offense of Impeachment.
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Congress' "checks and balances" on other branches of government:
- Senate confirmation of federal judges and The President's Cabinet
- Impeachment
- Power to declare war and raise money
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Every US Representative and Senator has the authority and obligation to sponsor and vote on bills, but with the reality of today's politics and committee action, one's power in Congress is dependent upon which political party controls the majority of representatives & senators.
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"Markup" is drafting of the Bill, and takes place in the SubCommittee.
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Bill "HR 3200" is an example of a bill started in the House.
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The committee created to iron out differences between the Senate and House versions of a Bill is-
Conference Committee
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"Special or Select Committees" are investigative and have no power to create Bills.
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A "filibuster" is a procedure in the Senate of unlimited debate to stop or delay a bill from going to a vote.
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"Cloture" ends a filibuster and requires the agreement of 3/5 (60) Senators.
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If a bill is not signed into law by the end of that Congress, the bill will automatically be killed/dropped.
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If the president gets a Bill during the last 10 days of Congress' session, and does not sign the Bill, then by default, the Bill gets killed/dropped.
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Standing Committees are the major committees in Congress, with each having at least one sub-committee.
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Presidency-
- Article 2- Executive
- Must be 35 yrs old and 14 yrs as a U.S. Residence
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Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1-
Powers and dutites of the president.
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George Washington-
1st president under this constitution (1789)
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1776-1789
Confederacy (John Hanson 1st President)
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Battle of Princeton-
- in New Jersey, Washington trying to take back Princeton from Brits.
- Won battle-fearlessly charged the Brits and forced the troops to charge as well.
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Power to Pardon-
- only covers federal crimes.
- Pardon-relieve you of punishment but still hold title as being guilty.
- President cannot pardon if you have been charged with impeachment.
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only governs-
can pardon state crimes.
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Can sue President if:
their crime has nothing to do with election and presidency, maybe something that happened before becoming president.
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Can government sue President?
Yes if commits a criminal crime.
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Section 2, Clause 2-
- Senate has lots of power over President.
- Cannot kill a filibuster
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Section 2, Clause 3
(Obama used this during spring recess)
President has power to fill up vacancies that may happen during Recess of Senate by granting commissions which shall expire at the End of their next session. Called Recess Appointment.
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Also on Section 2, Clause 3-
while Senate is on recess for a holiday or etc. then President has total power. Since Senate went on recess, president can make recess appointment.
During the current recess appointment 17 people so far appointed, but they can only serve until the end of the next session serving a full session.
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Congress represents you they have obligation to represent your beliefs. But your President is the enforcer.
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Modern President-F.D.R.-
President during Great Depression, used communication to talk to Americans, 1st to really connect with citizens. Introduced Bills.
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12th Amendment-Election of President-
If you have already served 2 full terms of presidency, you cannot be vice president. You are ineligible.
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22nd Amendment-# of President Terms-
- Washington set tradition of serving 2 terms, until F.D.R. who served 4 whole terms. Passed amendment after F.D.R.
- President can't serve more than 2 whole terms or a total of 10 yrs.
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25th Amendment-Section 4
gives vice president power to get rid of president. If president cannot preform his duties right.
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