Gerrymandering
When a state legislature establishes an arguably unfair electoral district in order to gain a political outcome for a certain party/group
What are the main gerrymandering tactics?
Pack opposite voters into the smallest number of districts possible
Crack opposite voters into separate districts to dilute their strength
Facts of the case in Baker v. Carr
In the late 1950s, Tennessee was still using electoral districts that were drawn in 1901. However, populations had changed significantly, so the votes of people in rural areas had a proportionately greater value than the votes of people in urban areas. Charles Baker, an urban resident, sued the state. Tennessee argued that courts could not provide a remedy for this issue because it was a political question.
Constitutional principal in Baker v. Carr
14th amendment equal protection clause
Facts of the case Shaw v. Reno
North Carolina made a plan to create two black-majority districts in their state. One of the districts was oddly shaped, which led to a handful of residents challenging the constitutionality of this unusually shaped district, alleging that its sole purpose was to support the appointment of more Black representatives.
Ruling in Baker v. Carr
The 14th amendment equal protection clause was being violated by Tennessee because their electoral districts were giving some people’s votes proportionally more weight. The court held that states couldn’t make districts that would give some votes more sway. They also created a test to determine if a case presented a political question (something the courts should not rule on)
Ruling in Shaw v. Reno
The court ruled that there was no explanation for the district’s shape other than separating voters by race. They decided that race cannot be the predominant factor in creating districts.
McCulloch v. Maryland
SCOTUS ruled that Congress had the power to establish a national bank and that Maryland (or any state) could not tax the federal government.
Necessary and proper clause = able to establish the national bank
Supremacy clause = states can’t tax federal government
Facts of the case in U.S. v. Lopez
Alfonzo Lopez was arrested for bringing a concealed weapon into his school campus. Federal agents charged him with violating the Fun-Free School Zones act, and he was found guilty.
Constitutional principle in U.S. v Lopez
Commerce clause
Ruling in U.S. v. Lopez
SCOTUS ruled that the possession of a gun in a school zone was not an activity that Congress could regulate through the commerce clause. This was the first ruling where the court limited the powers of Congress under the Commerce clause.
President of the Senate
Also the Vice President of the United States. They only vote in the senate if there is a tie.
Speaker of the House
Always chosen by the party with majority control of the house; they are the most powerful person in Congress. Also 3rd in line for the president
Senate majority leader
Serves as the spokesperson for their party. Works with committee chairs and ranking members.
Senate minority leader
Enforces party discipline on votes and ensures that party members do not vote against the position of party leaders.
Who can introduce bills to Congress?
Mainly congressional members, the president, and interest groups. A bill has to be sponsored by a member of Congress for it to gain consideration at all.
Bill to law process overview
Bill introduced and referred to a committee –>
Passes committee and goes to floor debate –>
Passes first chamber –>
Sent to second chamber –> Conference committee reconciles differences between house and senate bill –>
Sent to president
Pork Barrel politics
When a member of Congress funds projects for their state or district by tucking them into larger must-pass bills.
What is the role of committees in Congress?
Committees divide the work of Congress into specialized groups (e.g. agriculture, budget, and foreign affairs committee). Bills are amended, passed, ignored, or killed in committees.
In which congressional chamber are committees especially important?
The House, because there are so many members
Committee chair
The chairperson of each committee is usually the person from the majority party who has had the longest service in the committee (informal seniority system).
They decide when their committees will meet, which bills they will consider, etc.
Ranking member
The ranking member in each committee is usually the most senior member from the minority party.
Trustee role
When a representative votes on issues based on their own knowledge and judgement
Delegate role
When a representative votes based purely on what their constituents want/believe
