Chapter 7: Congress Flashcards

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1
Q

Our congress is …

A

bicameral: made up of 2 houses
In the House of Representatives there are 435 members, Based upon population
In the Senate there are 100 members: 2 per state.

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2
Q

House Members serve

A

2 year term

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3
Q

Senate members serve

A

6 year term

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4
Q

Qualifications for Senate

A

30 Years old
9 years a U.S. Citizen
Legal resident of their state.

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5
Q

Qualifications for House of Representatives

A

25 Years old
7 years a U.S. Citizen
Legal resident of their state.

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6
Q

17th Amendment

A

Direct election of Senators

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7
Q

Census

A

Constitution requires that all American be counted every ten years (Census) to determine representative in the House.

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8
Q

House seats limited to

A

435 seats

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9
Q

Baker vs Carr

A

Must try to get equal rep in districts or court can intervene

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10
Q

Congress’ #1 Job is to…

A

Make laws (share both by House and Senate)

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11
Q

Article 1 Section 8

A
Grants congress power to... 
Make laws
Collect Taxes
Declare war
Raise an army and navy
Coin money
Regulate trade with foreign countries
Establish federal courts
Establish rules for immigration 
Borrow money
Provide for the militia
Power over District of Columbia (D.C.)
Override presidential veto with 2/3

Necessary and proper clause

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12
Q

Speaker of House

A

elected at beginning of new session by House

  • member of majority party, as are committee chairs
  • Speaker presides over house, 2nd in line to presidency, liaison with president
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13
Q

Majority Whips

A

maintain contacts and rally support from majority party

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14
Q

Minority Leader

A

leader of the minority party

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15
Q

Officer of Senate is the…

A

Vice President

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16
Q

Standing Committee

A

permanent committees

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17
Q

Joint Committee

A

includes members from House & Senate

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18
Q

Conference Committee

A

special joint committee to reconcile differences in bill to get passed in both houses

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19
Q

Ad Hoc

A

temporary committee for specific purposes

Conducts special investigations

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20
Q

Why do members care about committees?

A

Interest or expertise
Subject matter helps get reelected
Access to pork ($ for district), power, and interests of state
Committee chairs have great control over bills

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21
Q

Trustee

A

rep using own best judgment

22
Q

Delegate

A

rep voting way their constituents want

23
Q

Politico

A

mix of both, with politics thrown in

24
Q

Privileges of Members of Congress

A

Allowances for offices in their district
Travel allowances
Franking Privilege: allows members to send mailing to constituents postage free
Immunity from libel or slander suits for speech or debate in Congress

25
Q

Incumbency Effect

A

the tendency of those already holding office to win reelection. (95% of the time) Stronger for the House and weaker for Senate

26
Q

What Influences Members of Congress

A

Party. Constituents, Colleagues, Interest Groups/Lobbyists, & PACS, Staff & Support Agencies

27
Q

Logrolling

A

where members say “I’ll support your bill if you support my bill

28
Q

Congressional Oversight

A

review action of executive branch (Whitewater, Benghazi, etc.)

29
Q

Foreign Affairs Oversight

A

president has power of foreign policy but Congress has some say.

30
Q

Confirmation of Appointments:

A

Presidential appointments such as judges and cabinet member go before senate. Often hostile

31
Q

Impeachment & Removal

A

House tries for crime & Senate removes with 2/3 vote. Very rarely used.

32
Q

Iron Triangle

A

describes the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups
All three work to pass regulations that help one-another

33
Q

Clean Air Act(1970)

A

In creased power of federal government relative to power of state governments in controlling air quality.

34
Q

Title IX (1972)-

A

Prohibited gender discrimination in federally subsidized education programs.

35
Q

War Powers Act (1973

A

President could send troops overseas to an area where hostilities were imminent only if:
He notified Congress within 48 hours.

36
Q

Freedom of Information Act (1974):

A

Allows public access to non-classified federal documents.

37
Q

Gridlock

A

the inability to move bills forward, is a problem.

38
Q

Contract With America

A

In 1994, the Republicans came to power in congress promising a blueprint for action within their first 100 days
Lead by Speaker Newt Gingrich, it was a remarkable demonstration of party unity.
Clinton work well with Congress until scandal
Bush work well after 9/11. Obama faced opposition

39
Q

Eminent Domain

A

says that the government can take away private property for public use
Parks, freeways, airports

40
Q

Our Repq

A

Salud Carbajal- 24th district

41
Q

Reps in Congress

A

Kamala Harris & Diane Feinstein

42
Q

Apportionment

A

The proportional process of allotting congressional sets to each state following the census

43
Q

Redistricting

A

The redrawing of congressional districts to reflect increases/decreases in seats allotted to states as well as populations gifts within a state

44
Q

Impeachment

A

The power delegated to the House of Reps in the constitution n to charge the president, Vice President, or bother civil officers with treason, bribery, etc. To remove from office

45
Q

Role of the Speaker of the House

A

Oversees house business, spokesperson for the house, 2nd in ,one of presidential succession

46
Q

Seniority

A

Time of continuous service on a committee

47
Q

Hold

A

A tactic by which a senator asks to be informed before a particular bill is brought to the floor. This stops the bill from coming to the floor until the hold is removed

48
Q

Pocket Veto

A

If congress adjourns during the 10 days the president has to consider a bill passed by both houses of congress, without the president’s signature, the bill is considered vetoed

49
Q

Congressional Review

A

A process whereby Congress can nullify agency regulations by a joint resolution of legislative disapproval

50
Q

Sensorial Courtesy

A

A process by which presidents, when selecting district court judges, defer to the senator in whose state the vacancy occurs