Complete revision notes for the Unit 4 side of the US Politics A Level course. These notes were created using multiple textbooks, websites, books, articles, journals and undergraduate essays. They contain content beyond the level required to achieve a top grade at A2 level politics, and include sub...
US Constitution & Federalism - Unit 4C Government & Politics
US Supreme Court - Unit 4C Government & Politics
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AQA
Government and Politics
Unit 4A GOV4A - The Government of the USA
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Congress
The structure of Congress:
• Legislative branch
• Bicameral – made up of House of Representatives and Senate
• Structure:
o House of Representatives:
§ States represented according to their population; each state entitled to at least one
member
§ The most populated states have the most representatives e.g. California has 53
§ There are 435 in total
o Senate:
§ Equal representation
§ Each state has two Senators (100 in total)
• Elections and representation:
o House of Representatives elected every two years
§ Must be 25 years old, US citizen for 7 years, a resident of the state they represent
o Senate elected every six years with 1/3 of seats contested every two years
§ Must be 30 years old, US citizen for 9 years
o The coat-tails effect:
§ When a popular candidate at the top of a ballot paper can help other candidates of the
same party gain election
o Split-ticket voting:
§ When voters vote for an (e.g.) Democrat presidential candidate but a Republican
Senator
§ Indicates the importance of personality in candidates
§ Less partisan in the US
o Presidential censure:
§ When the President loses seats in both houses in the mid-terms
§ Only twice in the last century has a President’s party gained seats in the mid-terms
(New Deal and post-9/11)
§ Average loss is 30 in the House and 4 seats in the Senate
o Incumbency:
§ Congressmen have a 90% chance of retaining their seat
§ Voters protect incumbents
Membership of Congress:
• How representative is Congress? (Does the make-up of Congress mirror the American
population?)
o House of Representatives:
§ 248 Republicans, 193 Democrats
§ Average age = 57 years (highest in history)
§ 271 are professional politicians, 231 are businessmen
§ 85 have worked in education
§ 94% hold degrees – 20 have no degrees past high school
• Improved since 1981, when 84% held degrees
§ Average length of service = 8.8 years
• Compared to 10.3 years in the 110th Congress
• Indicating increased public sentiment for change
o Senate:
§ 54 Republicans, 44 Democrats
§ Average age = 61 years (highest in history)
§ 15 have worked in education
§ 100% hold degrees
• 88% in 1981
o Religion:
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