Category Archives: US Congress

What is Gerrymandering?

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Image from The Washington Post.

Gerrymandering is the process of redrawing political boundary lines to give a party a numerical advantage over its opponents. Imagine, there was a hypothetical state called ‘New Devonshire’ of 50 people, as represented above. To start with 30 are Democrats and 20 are Republicans. Luckily, in this state, all the Republicans live in one area and all the Democrats live in another!

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Advice and Consent Powers

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There are a number of powers in the US Constitution that are exclusively granted to the two different houses of Congress. These include:

House of Rep

House of Representatives

  • Can begin impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States.
  • Elects the President if the Electoral College is tied or no candidates reach a majority.
  • Power to introduce legislation that deals with revenue and taxes

 

 

US Senate

Senate

  • Tries impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States.
  • Elects the Vice-President of the United States if the Electoral College is tied or no candidates reach a majority.
  • Reviews and ratifies Presidential Appointments.
  • Ratifies International Treaties by a two-thirds majority.

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