1. Why is the House the part of Congress that is closest to the people? Why were they given the power to introduce all bills dealing with revenue?What would a shorter electoral cycle insure? 2.Why is the Senate a more deliberative body than the House? 3.What are the advantages to incumbency? Describe the 6 main components. 4.What is reapport ionment? When does it occur? What is redistricting? 5.How can the process of reappointment and redistricting affect incumbency advantage? 6.What is gerrymandering? Where did the term originate?When is it unconstitutional? What is a "safe seat?" What was different when congressional districts were more competitive? 8.What is a majority -minority district?When is it illegal? Describe the difference between descriptive representation and substantive representation (not in the book)

1. The House of Representatives is considered the part of Congress closest to the people because its members represent smaller, more homogenous districts than Senators, and they face reelection every two years. This shorter electoral cycle ensures that Representatives remain responsive to the needs and desires of their constituents. The House was given the power to introduce all bills dealing with revenue (the "power of the purse") because it was seen as the chamber most directly accountable to the people, who would bear the burden of taxation. A shorter electoral cycle ensures greater accountability to the electorate.<br /><br />2. The Senate is considered a more deliberative body than the House due to several factors: longer terms (six years), staggered elections (only one-third of the Senate is up for reelection every two years), and a smaller size, which allows for more extended debate and less restrictive rules of procedure. Historically, Senators were also chosen by state legislatures (until the 17th Amendment), further insulating them from immediate public pressure.<br /><br />3. Incumbency offers several advantages in elections. The six main components are:<br /><br />* **Name recognition:** Incumbents are already known to voters.<br />* **Credit claiming:** Incumbents can point to specific projects and policies they supported that benefited their constituents.<br />* **Casework:** Incumbents can assist constituents with bureaucratic problems, earning their gratitude and loyalty.<br />* **Franking privilege:** Incumbents can send mail to constituents for free, allowing them to communicate their accomplishments and positions.<br />* **Access to media:** Incumbents receive more media coverage than challengers.<br />* **Fundraising advantage:** Incumbents typically find it easier to raise campaign funds due to their established networks and connections.<br /><br />4. **Reapportionment** is the process of redistributing the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the 50 states based on population changes determined by the decennial census. It occurs every ten years. **Redistricting** is the process of redrawing congressional district boundaries within each state after reapportionment. State legislatures generally control this process.<br /><br />5. Reapportionment and redistricting can significantly affect incumbency advantage. Redistricting can be used to create "safe seats" for incumbents by drawing district lines that favor their party. It can also be used to pit two incumbents against each other in a primary election. Conversely, redistricting can make an incumbent's district more competitive by adding voters from the opposing party.<br /><br />6. **Gerrymandering** is the practice of manipulating district boundaries to create a political advantage for a particular party or group. The term originated in 1812 when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a bill that created a salamander-shaped district to benefit his party. Gerrymandering is unconstitutional when it is based solely on race or ethnicity and results in the dilution of minority voting strength. It can also be challenged in court if it is excessively partisan.<br /><br />7. A "safe seat" is a congressional district that is reliably won by one party, making it very difficult for the opposing party to compete. When congressional districts were more competitive, there was more incentive for representatives to compromise and work across party lines to appeal to a broader range of voters. This often resulted in more moderate policies.<br /><br />8. A **majority-minority district** is a congressional district where a majority of the constituents belong to a racial or ethnic minority group. Creating majority-minority districts is illegal when it is the predominant factor in drawing district lines and results in the dilution of minority voting strength in other districts.<br /><br />9. **Descriptive representation** refers to the extent to which a representative's demographics (race, ethnicity, gender, etc.) match those of their constituents. **Substantive representation** refers to the extent to which a representative's policy positions and actions reflect the interests and preferences of their constituents, regardless of demographic similarities. A representative can be descriptively representative but not substantively representative, and vice versa.<br />