AP Government: Unit 2 - Chapter 13 Vocab

Question 1

bicameral

Answer 1

two chamber

congress is two chamber as it has the house and senate

Question 2

Partizan polarization

Answer 2

When the different parties vote against each other.

A vote in which a majority of democratic legislation opposes a majority republican legislature.

Question 3

Conservative Caucus
(Republican Study Committee)

Answer 3

A congressional committee that exists to bring like minded house members together to promote a strong, principled legislative agenda that will limit government, strengthen defense, boost economy, and preserve traditional values.

Question 4

Marginal districts

Answer 4

Districts in which candidates elected to the house of representatives win in close elections. <55%.

Question 5

Safe Districts

Answer 5

Districts in which incumbents win by comfortable margins . >60% of the vote

Question 6

Representational view=delegate

Answer 6

Idea that members want to be re-elected so they vote to please their constituents. They are limited by unclear public opinion.

Question 7

Organizational View=partisan

Answer 7

Since most constituents don’t know how the legislation has voted it is not essential to please them. It is important to please other congressman to get more power and say in congress.

Question 8

Attitudinal view=trustee

Answer 8

Conflicting pressure balances out leaving members able to vote on their own beliefs.

Question 9

Standing Committee

Answer 9

More or less permanent bodies with specific legislative responsibilities.

Question 10

Select Committee

Answer 10

Groups appointed for a limited purpose. They do not introduce legislation and they only exist for a few years.

Question 11

Joint Committee

Answer 11

Both representatives and senators serve on one committee.

Question 12

Conference Committee

Answer 12

Joint committees appointed to resolve differences in the house and senate versions of the same bill.

Question 13

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Answer 13

Created in 1974 to advise congress on the likely impact of different spending programs and attempts to estimate future economic trends.

Question 14

Declining Public approval of congress

Answer 14

less than 1/3 of americans approve of congress now.

In the early 2000s approval was in the 30s to 40s and now it is half of that.

However, we still tend to constantly re-elect our congressman.

Question 15

Characteristics of a congress

Answer 15

They represent local districts
Candidates run in primary elections
They think of independent districts
They are expected to vote on their beliefs
They have independent powers defined by the constitution
Approve or reject laws.

Question 16

How senators used to be chosen vs. How they are chosen now

Answer 16

Used to be chosen by state legislature.

Now they are elected to 6 year terms by the people of each state. 1/3 of the senate is up every 2 years to avoid just having the strong, rich, and factions.

Question 17

Minorities and women. Number in the house and senate.

Answer 17

Most congressmen are middle aged, male, and lawyers.

The number of females has increased from 9-83.

African Americans have increased from 2-47

there are now 38 latino member and 2 african americans.

In the senate there are 21 females, 3 african americans, and 5 latinos.

Question 18

Incumbents - Why do they win

Answer 18

re-election -> 93% H, 82% S
they have large fundraising advantages, they are much better known, free mailing, can travel and meet constituents, headlines will bill sponsors, funds can benefit districts.

Question 19

Ideological Consistency in Congress

Answer 19

Between 1933 and 2017 democrats controlled both houses 27 times and at least 1 in 31. Republicans controlled house continuously from 1952-1994.

Question 20

The demise of the conservative coalition

Answer 20

The conservative coalition was an alliance between republicans and conservative democrats.

Many southern democrats have been replaced with southern republicans. The remaining conservative democrats are liberal. They blame gerrymandering.

Question 21

Senate Majority Leaders role

Answer 21

Schedules the business of the senate. They are the presiding officer when the vice president is absent. They influence the substance.

Question 22

Whip’s Role

Answer 22

Helps party leaders stay informed about what party members are thinking, round up members for important votes, attempt to track how controversial votes will go.

Question 23

Speaker of House’s role and specific tasks

Answer 23

Principal leader of majority. Expected to use their power to pass parties legislation. Recognize speakers, rules whether motion is relevant or germane, decides committees to which new bills should be assigned, Influences which bills should be brought up.

Question 24

Caucuses within Congress

Answer 24

An association of members of congress created to advocate a political ideology.

Question 25

Committee chairs - how are they chosen typically

Answer 25

Past - chosen by loyalty to leader
Now- chosen by secret secret ballots who would do better at the job.

Question 26

Subcommittee chairs’ role

Answer 26

Facilitating sub committee meeting and agenda. Talking with other committee heads.

Question 27

Appropriation Bills

Answer 27

Bills that direct the spending of money. They are originated by the house.

Question 28

House ways and means committee

Answer 28

Responsible for raising the revenue required to finance the federal government. They make recommendations for bills.

Question 29

Discharge petition

Answer 29

A device by which any member of the house, after a committee has had the bill for 30 days, may petition to bring it to the floor.

Question 30

Open rule vs. Closed rule

Answer 30

Open rule- an order from the house rules committee that permits a bull to be amended on the floor

Close- an order from house rules committee that sets time limit on debate and forbids a bill from being amended on the floor

Question 31

Quorum

Answer 31

The minimum number of members for which business can be conducted in congress.

Question 32

Riders

Answer 32

Amendments on matters unrelated to the bill so that they will ride to passage through congress. When a bill has a lot of riders it is called a christmas tree bill.

Question 33

Filibuster and cloture rule

Answer 33

A rule used by senate to end or limit the debate. 3/5 of senate most vote to end filibuster.

Question 34

Overriding a veto

Answer 34

Two Thirds of those present must vote by roll call to over ride. If both houses override the bill becomes a law without president approval.

Question 35

Earmarks (AKA pork barrel)

Answer 35

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.

Question 36

Franking Privilege

Answer 36

The abilities of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substitution their facsimile signature for postage.