What was the impact of OBRA 1985?
Reduced spending on social programs and changed tax laws to address the federal budget deficit.
Cause/Effect: Census every 10 years.
Cause: Population changes. Effect: Reapportionment of House seats.
Cause/Effect: Gerrymandering.
Cause: Partisan control of state legislatures. Effect: Less competitive elections, incumbency advantage.
Cause/Effect: Longer Senate terms.
Cause: Desire for stability and deliberation. Effect: Senators may be less responsive to short-term public opinion.
House vs. Senate: Basis of representation?
House: Population | Senate: Equal (2 per state)
House vs. Senate: Term length?
House: 2 years | Senate: 6 years
House vs. Senate: Number of members?
House: 435 | Senate: 100
House vs. Senate: Qualifications (age)?
House: 25 years | Senate: 30 years
House vs. Senate: Rules?
House: More rules | Senate: Fewer rules
House vs. Senate: Deliberation?
House: Less deliberative | Senate: More deliberative
