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Pol Notes 3%2F8%2F2017
Introduction to American Politics (Pol 101)
University of Mississippi
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Structure of Congress Bicameral Legislature House of Representatives 435 members elected from a district within a state Senate 100 members elected from the state at large How do we decide how many seats are allocated to each state for the House of Representatives? Reapportionment: reallocation of congressional seats among states every ten years, following the census Who decides how districts are drawn and what is the process for determining district lines? State legislators decide how districts are drawn. Redistricting: process of redrawing of district lines in states with more than one representative Problems within Congressional Districts Malapportionment Occurs when the voting power of citizens in one district becomes more influential than the voting power of citizens in another district Gerrymandering(): The drawing of a boundaries in a way to maximize the influence of a certain group or political party partisan, and racial gerrymandering the U. Dept of Justice instructed state legislatures to draw district lines to maximize the voting power of minority groups. Result: Districts Districts Consequences Pro: Ensures equal representation of minority groups and increases the number of minorities holding public office Con: Violates the Equal Protection Clause because race is the dominant factor in drawing congressional district lines House Leadership Positions Speaker of the House Majority Leader Minority Leader Whips Speaker of the House Determines which bills get assigned to certain committees members who wish to speak Votes in the event of a tie Interprets and applies House rules Plays a major role in making committee assignments Schedules bills for actions Current Speaker of the House Paul Ryan Wisconsin House Majority Leader Assists in planning the legislative program Organizes other party members to support legislation favored the party Make sure the committee chairpersons finish work on bills that are important for the party Provides the position in important bills. Current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Rep) California House Minority Leader Maintain solidarity within the party Persuades influential party members to follow its (party) position Organizes fellow party members in criticism of the majority policies and programs Current Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi California House Majority and Minority Whips () Try to determine how each members is going to vote on certain issues and then advise party leaders on the strength of party support Try to see that members are present on important votes and that they vote with the party leadership Current House Whips Majority: Steve Scalise Louisiana Minority: Steny Hoyer Maryland Senate Leadership() President of Senate President Pro Tempore
Pol Notes 3%2F8%2F2017
Course: Introduction to American Politics (Pol 101)
University: University of Mississippi
