Chapter 10 Congress The structure and function of congress embody democratic ideals Bills become law through a lengthy complex process Parties and committees actually make the legislative process easier Members of congress must consider multiple influences when making Minimum age for serving in the house is 25 Citizen for 7 years resident of Minimum age for serving in senate is 30 Citizen for 9 years resident of the decisions state he represents state he represents Alaska is the only state that has only one at large member in the house The necessary and proper clause gives congress the power to make laws Congress has used the implied powers granted by this clause to justify much of its legislative activity Article I section 8 of the constitution has the 17 enumerated powers given to congress Including ability to declare war make laws coin money etc Senators serve 6 years terms Members of house serve 2 years Every 2 years Americans elect all members of house and one third of senate Representation in house is apportioned according to population representation in senate is apportioned equally among the states House is composed of 435 members Senate is composed of 100 members House has stronger party leadership large assemblies of people Senate tends to issue generalists as relative equals senators tend to be less formal and more personal in communication House is more hierarchical with power centralized in party leadership House is granted sole power to originate revenue bills by introducing tax legislation The house also has power to initiate impeachment proceedings but this is checked by senate s power to try impeachment cases Senate retains power to approve major presidential appointments and to ratify treaties The decennial census provides the basis for proportional representation in Gerrymandering is the deliberate manipulation of district lines for electoral our national legislature advantage Texas gained the most seats in the House as a result of congressional reapportionment following the 2010 census
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