Political Science 306 (The Congress), Spring 2017, Review Outline for Midterm exam

The Two Congresses – meaning of the term

Member of a group vs. individual representative of a constituency

How legislation vs. representation affects the way members do their jobs

Bicameralism: why? How does it affect the way Congress works as an institution?

Effect of bicameralism on representation

Representation of population vs. representation of the states as equal partners

Responsiveness vs. deliberation – shorter terms vs. longer terms

Basic differences between the House and Senate – majority rule vs. individual rights (what difference does it make)

Descriptive representation vs. substantive representation – meaning and significance

Roles of Congressional leaders: Vice President, Speaker, President pro tempore, Majority and Minority Leaders, whips

Committee chairs and ranking members: different ways they may be chosen (seniority, election by the body, appointment by the Speaker and ratification by the majority party conference) – what difference does it make?

Why does the Republican Party generally outperform the Democrats by a larger margin in midterm elections than in presidential years?

Why has party control been much more likely to change back and forth in recent years than in the mid-20^th Century?

Malapportionment, reapportionment, redistricting, gerrymandering – what difference does it make how the lines are drawn, and who draws them?

Why are incumbents overwhelmingly likely to be re-elected when they choose to run?

What are the different types of constituencies that a member represents?

What is “home style,” and how does it differ from Washington style?

Committees: different types, what they do, why a member wants to be on one