AP Government: Unit 2 - Chapter 13 Vocab Flashcards
bicameral
two chamber
congress is two chamber as it has the house and senate
Partizan polarization
When the different parties vote against each other.
A vote in which a majority of democratic legislation opposes a majority republican legislature.
Conservative Caucus
(Republican Study Committee)
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.
Marginal districts
Districts in which candidates elected to the house of representatives win in close elections. <55%.
Safe Districts
Districts in which incumbents win by comfortable margins . >60% of the vote
Representational view=delegate
Idea that members want to be re-elected so they vote to please their constituents. They are limited by unclear public opinion.
Organizational View=partisan
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.
Attitudinal view=trustee
Conflicting pressure balances out leaving members able to vote on their own beliefs.
Standing Committee
More or less permanent bodies with specific legislative responsibilities.
Select Committee
Groups appointed for a limited purpose. They do not introduce legislation and they only exist for a few years.
Joint Committee
Both representatives and senators serve on one committee.
Conference Committee
Joint committees appointed to resolve differences in the house and senate versions of the same bill.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Created in 1974 to advise congress on the likely impact of different spending programs and attempts to estimate future economic trends.
Declining Public approval of congress
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.
Characteristics of a congress
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.
How senators used to be chosen vs. How they are chosen now
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.
Minorities and women. Number in the house and senate.
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.
Incumbents - Why do they win
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.
Ideological Consistency in Congress
Between 1933 and 2017 democrats controlled both houses 27 times and at least 1 in 31. Republicans controlled house continuously from 1952-1994.
The demise of the conservative coalition
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.
Senate Majority Leaders role
Schedules the business of the senate. They are the presiding officer when the vice president is absent. They influence the substance.
Whip’s Role
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.
Speaker of House’s role and specific tasks
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.
Caucuses within Congress
An association of members of congress created to advocate a political ideology.
Committee chairs - how are they chosen typically
Past - chosen by loyalty to leader
Now- chosen by secret secret ballots who would do better at the job.
Subcommittee chairs’ role
Facilitating sub committee meeting and agenda. Talking with other committee heads.
Appropriation Bills
Bills that direct the spending of money. They are originated by the house.
House ways and means committee
Responsible for raising the revenue required to finance the federal government. They make recommendations for bills.
Discharge petition
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.
Open rule vs. Closed rule
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
Quorum
The minimum number of members for which business can be conducted in congress.
Riders
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.
Filibuster and cloture rule
A rule used by senate to end or limit the debate. 3/5 of senate most vote to end filibuster.
Overriding a veto
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.
Earmarks (AKA pork barrel)
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.
Franking Privilege
The abilities of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substitution their facsimile signature for postage.
