A* student notes for the new Politics A level (starting 2019). These notes cover the entire chapter of Congress with all the essential content, along with examples under the AQA and Edexcel specification. These notes address the bicameral style of government in the US Congress, as well as examining...
CONGRESS
Key Topics
What is the structure of Congress?
What is the composition of Congress?
What powers does Congress possess?
How do the House of Representatives and the Senate compare?
How important are Congressional committees?
How are laws made?
How effective is Congress in its legislative role?
How effective is Congress in its oversight of the executive branch?
How effective is Congress in its representative role?
What determines the way members of Congress vote?
What role do parties play in Congress?
What are the principle similarities and differences between the US Congress and UK parliament?
There is a built-in ‘negative bias’ towards Congress by the American people:
→ July 2016; 13% approved of the work done by Congress, with 83%
disapproving
→ Congress is unproductive therefore unpopular – however there are
paradoxes;
→ While Americans disapprove of Congress, they approve of and elect their own
member of Congress
→ While Americans call for Congress to do more, many want limited
government interference
The Structure of Congress
Congressional district: A geographical subdivision of state represented
by a member of the House of Representative – American equivalent of a
constituency
Congress is bicameral; the House of Representatives and the Senate. At the
Founding Fathers convention some delegates wanted equal state representation,
some wanted proportional state representation.
The compromise; two chambers – lower house (House of Representatives) is
proportional but upper house (Senate) is equal
House of Representatives Senate
lower house upper house
435 members 100 members (2x 50 states)
represents a congressional district represent entire state
serves 2-year terms serve 6-year terms
must be at least 25 years old must be at least 30 years old
must be US citizen for at least 7 must be US citizen for at least 9
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