Baker v Carr

  • malapportionment: hadnt apportioned for a long time
  • Case brought forth arguing that each person should have one vote and the districts have to have a relatively equal number of people
  • Wanted to have a large african american district that would product an african american representative only in that one district
    • No representation in other districts
  • Racial Gerrymandering

Shaw vs Remo

  • Partisan Gerrymandering
  • Claims are not justiceable because they present a political question
    • Can the federal courts make a ruling or is it something that isnt even a question for the courts?

Senate

  • Pres of Senate
    • Vice President, can act in the senate in case of a tie
  • Pres of Senate Pro Tempore
    • Longest serving senator of majority party
  • Committees
    • Not all committes are created equal
    • Standing
      • Where the work gets done
      • senate + house, permanent
      • oversight
      • serve over many terms
    • More senators serve on less committees
    • Joint
      • House + Senate
      • Focus on particular issue to get something done more quickly, around for a longer time
    • Conference Committee
      • Resolve differences inversions on bill between house and senate and president
    • Select
      • Temporary crisis, respond to something