Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

AP GOV > Chapter 12: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH > Flashcards

Chapter 12: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Flashcards

1
Q

How many get elected every how many years ?

A

House- entire house elected every two years

Senate- 1/3 elected every two years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How long do they serve?

A

House- 2 terms

Senate-6 terms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Minimum age and citizenship and where they must live?

A

House- 25 yrs 7 yr a citizen and must live in the state where district is located

Senate- 30 yrs 9 yr a citizen and must live in the state elected to represent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When do the two houses meet?

A

They meet for terms of two years every beginning on January 3rd off of odd numbered years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How are the terms divided?

A

Each term is dived into two 1 year sessions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Who chooses leadership in the congress?

And current congress

A

Each house of congress chooses its own leadership and rules

115

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

When getting elected to the house what does the constitution guarantee?

A

It guarantees at least one representative for each state

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When getting elected to the house how are members elected?

A

Members are elected from districts within each state * more people you have in your state the more districts you have

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is apportionment?

A

Distribution among the starts based on the population of each of the states

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Reapportionment

A

The redistribution of congressional seats after the census determines changes in population distribution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is congressional districting?

A

The drawing by state legislatures of congressional districts for those states with more than 1 representative * as #’s grow your voice gets quieter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Gerrymandering

A

Draw congressional districts to favor a political party over another
* do whatever you can to get your party favored

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are two ways to gerrymander?

A

You either draw districts to separate oppositions *people work to the favor how their population is set up or some become minorities
or they put all the opposition into specific districts *pack and give some to get other ones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Gerrymandering rules

A

The districts have to be close to the same size and they have to be contiguous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Problems of gerrymandering

A

Created huge lawsuits - court cases
Made it clear
People get frustrated because some districts are longer [different mixture of people]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

When getting elected to the senate what does the constitution guarantee?

A

The constitution guarantees that “no state without its consent shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the senate (article 5)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How were member chosen before the 17th amendment in 1913

A

Members were chosen by state legislatures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the incumbency advantage?

A

The tendency of those already in office to win reelection

And it is stronger for members in the house than in the senate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are some incumbency advantages?

A 
Name recognition 
Credit claiming 
Constituent casework
Visibility to constituent 
Media exposure 
Fundraising abilities
Campaign experience 
Voting record
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is name recognize and credit claiming?

A

Name recognition advantage is when voters are more likely recognize the incumbent than the challenger and credit claiming is when the incumbent may have brought government projects and money into the state or district

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is constituents casework advantage?

A

The incumbent may have helped voters back home solve problems involving the bureaucracy or the government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is visibility to constituent?

A

Office perks allow communication through media sources and franking ( policy that enables members of congress to send material through the mail by substituting their facsimile signature(frank) for postage

*cant have campaigning materials in letter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is their media exposure advantage and fundraising abilities ?

A

Incumbents more likely to gain free publicity during a campaign through the media fundraising abilities is a HUGE PART they are able generate more campaign funds than challengers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Campaign experience and voting record

A

Incumbents have been through campaigns and elections and know who to work the system
Voters can evaluate an incumbents performance based on their voting records
* people might vote if your consistent and like the way you stand on issues
Some people are flipfloppers and flip around

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What has the Supreme court ruled about term limits?
Neither the states nor congress may impose term limits w/o a constitutional amendment
26
Where does the leadership go in congress?
Majority party in each house controls the leadership positions in congress
27
HOR | What is the Speaker of the house's role?
``` +Presiding officer behind vp +And the most powerful member +He assigns bills to committees~which bills go to which committees +appoints members to committees *gets lots of press ```
28
Role of majority leader in HOR?
+2nd in command +serves as major assistant to speaker + helps plans the party's legislative program +directs floor debates
29
Role of minority's leader in HOR?
+Spokesperson for minority party | +Organizes the opposition to the majority party
30
The WHIPS role in HOR?
+ pressures member to vote with the party +helps floor leaders by directing party members +informs members of impending votes +keeps track of vote counts
31
Vice President role -SEN
NOT A REAL MEMBER BUT CONSTITUTIONALLY PRESIDING OFFICER Many not participate in debates Vote is only there to break a tie
32
PRESIDENT PRO TEMP-ORE ROLE- SEN
Senior member of majority party | Mostly ceremonial position
33
Majority party role for SEN
Most influential member of THE SENATE | spokesperson for the majority party of the entire senate
34
Minority role in SEN
Spokesperson for minority party | Organizes the opposition to the majority party
35
WHIPS Role- SEN
Pressures member to vote Keeps track of vote counts Direct party members Inform members of impending votes
36
What are committees
*Most of the work of congress is accomplished through committees +regularly hold hearings to investigate problems and oversee the executive branch +they control congressional agenda and guide legislation
37
Why are committees good?
They permit congress to divide the work amongst members and allows for the study of legislation by specialists nod speeds up the legislation process* people usually want to be on the committee that makes most sense 🔻New York-industry🏭🏗🏨🏤🏦🏥🏬🏣🏢🏫🏪🏩⛪️🏛💒🕋🕍🕌⛩🕋⛪️🏩🏤🏣🕌🏣🏪🕋🏤⛩🏚🏫🏣🏫⛩ 🔻Texas- agriculture 🎄☘🌴🎋🌳🌿🌵🌱🌲🍀🍃🍃🍃🍃🌴🍀🌵☘☘🌺🌷🌴🌾🌲🌸🌸🌹🌍🌎💐🍄🌻🌴🎍🌰
38
How many members of congress in house and senate?
House-435 | Senate-100
39
Where does the leadership go to in congress?
Leadership goes to committee chair person s who are members of the majority party
40
What is the role of the committee chair people?
They set agendas assign members to subcommittees and decide wether the committee will hold public hearings and which witnesses to call They manage floor debate of a bill when it's presented to the full House or Senate Traditionally chosen based on seniority but reforms allow for selection based on merit
41
What does the percentage of each committees membership reflect?
It reflects the overall percentage of republicans and democrats in each house and members try to serve where they can best affect policy for their state or district or influence national public policy ex. Tons of military bases want to be on armed forces committee * get some press and some members don't get the committee they want
42
What are the types of committees?
Standing committees select committees Joint committees Conference committees
43
What are standing committees?
``` Standing committees are permanent committees that deal with specific policy matters Ex agriculture ☘ Energy 🌞 Veterans affair 👨 *most effective in policy SENATE ```
44
What are select committees ?
Temporary committees appointed to a specific purpose Most are formed to investigate a particular issue Ex. Watergate 💧 *beyond the capacity or Authority of a standing committee HOUSE
45
What are joint committees?
They are made up of both congresses | It may be a select committee like(Iran-contra) or perform routine duties (library of Congress)
46
What is a conference committee ? And why was it created?
A temporary committee of members from both congress | It was created to resolve the difference in HOUSE and SENATE versions of a bill(legislations)
47
What are caucuses in congress?
Informal groups formed by members of congress who share a common purpose or set of goals ( congressional black caucus , Women's caucus)
48
What is a legislation?
Law which has been enacted by a legislature or other governing body or the process of making it Law enacted by an assembly
49
What are joint committees? And what do they do?
Committees are made up of members of both houses of congress it can be a select committee or perform routine duties
50
What is a conference committee?
A temporary committee of members from both houses of congress Created to resolve the differences in HOUSE & SENATE versions of a bill(legislations)- act or process of making or enacting laws
51
What are Caucuses in congress?
Informal groups formed by members of congress who share a common purpose or set of goals (congressional black caucus,women's caucus
52
Who does the congressional staff work for?
Personal staff work directly for members in DC and back in their home state/district
53
What does the committee staff do for members in congress?
Committee staff research problems and analyze information * Congress people rely heavily on staffers * staffers have a lot of power cuz sometimes they tell who to vote for and what not
54
What do support agencies do for members of dc?
They provide services to members (library of congress helps congressmen and sends them research they need ) (government printing offices)
55
What is your job as a congress member?
``` They have to be policy maker Representative And they are either a delegate or a trustee Constituent servant Committee member Politician and party member ```
56
What is the policy maker role and what do they do?
It is the Chief role and it passes laws and makes public policies through the passage of legislation * help pass legislation * some ppl think congress passes to many laws
57
What is there job as a representative?
Represents your constituents
58
Delegate
Members vote based on wishes of constituents * how you view yourself as a member in congress * thats how most people get votes
59
Trustee
Listens to constituents but votes their own opinions * how you view yourself as a member in congress * you elected me because you don't know what's going on so I will make the final decision on what's best for you
60
Constituent servant role of congress member
Helps ppl in there district and states with problems | * help old ladies about their social security check
61
What does the congress member do in committees?
They serve on committees in either house or senate to help handle bills and business *independents usually have to choose whichever party in a caucus they want to go with * pressure to support your party * everybody in the party has to support the bill to send it off to senate
62
What does the politician and party members do?
They work to support their political party platform and get reelected * they have to have a strategy
63
What are the privileges of members of congress?
Allowances - to maintain offices in their home district or state Travel allowances- fly from dc back to home state 40 paid trips a year -tax payer dollars Franking privileges-sends free Mail to constituents *cant campaign or send vote for me Immunity from arrest-during congress business *speeding when driving Immunity from libel or slander suits for speech/debate in congress
64
What are the legislative powers?
Expressed powers Implied powers Limitations on powers
65
What are the legislative :expressed implied and limited power for congress ?
Expressed powers are specifically granted to congress *found in article 1 section 8 of constitution Implied powers are necessary and proper Their limitations on powers by imposing boundaries through article 1 section 9 and the tenth amendment .
66
Article 1 section 8
- The power to lay & collect taxes ,and tariffs(imported goods tax) - regulate foreign commerce and inter state commerce - coin money - post office and roads - declare war - raise and support armies - provide and maintain navy - make gov rules - make all laws that are necessary and proper
67
Article 1 section 9
No ex post facto law No head tax(charged to each individual in the population) No tax on exports
68
Tenth amendment
State rights | Any not given to federal government are assumed belonging to the state or directly to the people
69
What are the non legislative powers of congress?
``` Electoral powers Amendment powers Impeachment Executive power of senate Investigative/oversight powers ```
70
What are the electoral powers?
When there is no majority vote in the electoral college for the president
71
What are the amendment powers?
Allow proposal of amendments by a 2/3 vote of each house for ratification (accepting) * ERA equal rights for women and men amendment * not allowed to burn the flag
72
Impeachment powers?
Allows the HOUSE to bring charges against any civil officer | Cases are tried in the senate,
73
Executive powers of senate
Allows them to share appointment(majority)and treaty making (2/3 ) with the executive branch*either gonna approve you or deny you *constitution gives the senate the power to approve (by 2/3 vote) treaties made by executive branch
74
Investigative/oversight powers
Reviewing of policies and programs of the executive branch | *Checks to see why things aren't being done
75
How does a bill become a law?
- Both in house and senate a bill is introduced numbered and assigned - Bill may be assigned to a subcommittee by speaker of house for further study - Then it's returned to committee where it becomes approved or rejected
76
Continuing on how it becomes a law in the house?
In the house , the rules committee sets the terms of debate for the bill then it gets debated Then a vote is taken on weather it's passed or not Then it gets passed to the senate
77
Continuing on how it becomes a law in the senate
Senate doesn't have rules committee the bill is debated Then a vote is taken When passed in senate Then passed to HOUSE
78
What does the conference committee do for the bill after both houses of congress approve it ?
Resolved differences between H & S versions of a bill and they can't have any new material
79
What happens after the the conference committee resolves the bill?
The HOE votes on compromised version of bill | The SIN votes on compromised version of bill
80
The rules committee
Most powerful of HOE Determine how bills get passed How debates goes to the floor Every bill goes to the rules committee They don't deal with new legislation
81
Presidential action when making a bill a law
President may sign the bill ,veto(reject) the bill, allow the bill to become law w/o signing or pocket veto the bill Vetoed bills are returned to congress where they must be overridden
82
Bill
Proposed law presented to parliament for discussion
83
Pocket veto
Allows presidents to exercise the power to veto by taking no action
84
What Does the Unanimous consent agreement allow and what is it?
It is only in the SUN Allows a bill to move through the senate w/o debate or w/ a time limit on the debate It is an unanimous(full agreement)consent request setting terms for the consideration of a specified bill or other measure. Usually proposed by majority leader or floor manager of the measure and reflects negotiations among senators interested in the measure
85
What are legislative Tactics?
Strategies and devices used by congress and others in an attempt to block legislation or to get legislation passed
86
What are some legislative tactics?
``` Caucus Committee system Filibuster Cloture Pork barrel legislation Log Rolling Riders Amendments Lobbying Conference committees Legislative veto ```
87
Legislative tactic - caucus
may form voting blocks (group of voters have a specific common concern they tend to dominate their voting patterns
88
Legislative tactic - committee system
Plays a major role in the passage of legislation | Bills can die in committee
89
Legislative tactic-filibuster
- Unlimited debate in an attempt to stall action on a bill | - only possible in the Senate because of their loose restrictions on debate
90
Legislative tactic-cloture requirements
Method where senate limits a filibuster | ~involves a petition to end debate and requires vote of at least 60 senators
91
Legislative Tactic -porky barrel legislation
Attempt to provide funds and projects for a members home state or district
92
Legislative tactic- log rolling
An attempt by members to gain the support of other members by promising them support
93
Legislative tactic-riders
~Additions to legislation which generally have no connection to that legislation-- would not pass on its own merit ~When it has lots of riders it become a Christmas tree bill
94
Christmas tree bill
Bill that attracts many unrelated floor amendments
95
Legislative tactic-amendments
Additions or changes to legislation that deal specifically to that piece of legislation
96
Legislative tactic-lobbying
Trying to influence members of congress to support or reject legislation
97
Legislative tactic-Conference committees
May affect the wording and therefore the final intent of the legislation (big impact on legislation)
98
Legislative tactic-legislative veto
Rejection of a presidential or executive branch action by a vote of one or both houses of congress ~used mostly between 1932 & 1980 this declared Was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1983 {immigration and naturalization service vs. chadha}
99
Immigration and naturalization service vs chadha
States that congress can't take any actions having he force of law unless the president agrees

AP GOV (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions