The document provides a study guide for a mid-term exam on the role of Congress under the US Constitution. It lists over 30 terms, phrases, and questions for students to know, including: 1) The definition of a Congress and who runs for election. 2) The role of member offices in assisting constituents and the redistricting process. 3) The Supreme Court's 2013 decision on the Voting Rights Act and its effects on redistricting and gerrymandering. 4) The various roles and responsibilities of Congress members, such as committee assignments and advancing issues.

1. POL 407 Mid-Term Study Guide: Under the Constitution, what steps must
The following are words, phrases or questions you should know and understand to do well
on the mid-term. You will be asked not only to be able to define the terms but also to explain
their significance, such as which chamber uses them, and what, if any, controversy may be
involved.The “two” Congresses Define the time referred to as a Congress (such as the 115th
Congress) Who runs for election? Constitutional requirements for running for Congress
Tasks done for constituents by member offices Apportionment Redistricting processes and
the use of commissions in some states What important voting law did the Supreme Court
issue a controversial decision on in 2013 that has had a strong effect on local election laws,
including redistricting? What did that law do? Gerrymandering, “cracking” and “packing”
Supreme Court cases on fundraising and campaign spending Role of a member of Congress
Different tasks members may concentrate on to do their jobs. Deciding what to emphasize
as a member Leadership – know the offices and who elects them for both parties in both
chambers How is a member given her committee assignment? What elements are involved
in the decision-making on which committee seats go to which members? What kinds of
things does a committee do? If you were a chair, how could you use your position to
advance an issue before your chamber? What kinds of things could your committee do?
Congressional staff: what limits, if any, are placed on how many people a member can hire?
What kinds of jobs do staff perform? Under the Constitution, what steps must bills take
before they can become law? Who may introduce a bill? Who may co-sponsor a bill? What
forms of legislation can become law? Other than lawmaking, what do other forms of
legislation accomplish?Does a member have to introduce legislation? Give some reasons
why a member might introduce a bill. What is a committee hearing? What is a committee
markup? Explain their importance. Do committees have to approve a bill before it comes to
the floor? Are there ways around this? Which chamber has the tighter rules on this issue?
What is a committee report? When does a committee issue one? Why are they such useful
and important documents? Describe the suspension of the rules process. Why is it used?
What are the major constraints of using it? How do members get appointed to the House
Rules Committee? What is their relationship with the House leadership? What does the
Rules Committee do? what is a special rule? Explain why this is such an important device in
the House. What is the “previous question?” Why is it so significant to the House? What do
we mean by controlled time on the House floor? Who does a member need to ask in order to
get time to speak on a bill? What kinds of time constraints are involved? What is a discharge
petition? What is the Committee of the Whole? When is it used? What is an amendment?

2. What kinds of things can you do to a piece of legislation with an amendment? Talk about
degrees, and substitute versus perfecting.#POL #MidTerm #Study #Guide #Constitution
#steps