Chapter 7: Congress Flashcards
Our congress is …
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.
House Members serve
2 year term
Senate members serve
6 year term
Qualifications for Senate
30 Years old
9 years a U.S. Citizen
Legal resident of their state.
Qualifications for House of Representatives
25 Years old
7 years a U.S. Citizen
Legal resident of their state.
17th Amendment
Direct election of Senators
Census
Constitution requires that all American be counted every ten years (Census) to determine representative in the House.
House seats limited to
435 seats
Baker vs Carr
Must try to get equal rep in districts or court can intervene
Congress’ #1 Job is to…
Make laws (share both by House and Senate)
Article 1 Section 8
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
Speaker of House
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
Majority Whips
maintain contacts and rally support from majority party
Minority Leader
leader of the minority party
Officer of Senate is the…
Vice President
Standing Committee
permanent committees
Joint Committee
includes members from House & Senate
Conference Committee
special joint committee to reconcile differences in bill to get passed in both houses
Ad Hoc
temporary committee for specific purposes
Conducts special investigations
Why do members care about committees?
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
Trustee
rep using own best judgment
Delegate
rep voting way their constituents want
Politico
mix of both, with politics thrown in
Privileges of Members of Congress
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
Incumbency Effect
the tendency of those already holding office to win reelection. (95% of the time) Stronger for the House and weaker for Senate
What Influences Members of Congress
Party. Constituents, Colleagues, Interest Groups/Lobbyists, & PACS, Staff & Support Agencies
Logrolling
where members say “I’ll support your bill if you support my bill
Congressional Oversight
review action of executive branch (Whitewater, Benghazi, etc.)
Foreign Affairs Oversight
president has power of foreign policy but Congress has some say.
Confirmation of Appointments:
Presidential appointments such as judges and cabinet member go before senate. Often hostile
Impeachment & Removal
House tries for crime & Senate removes with 2/3 vote. Very rarely used.
Iron Triangle
describes the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups
All three work to pass regulations that help one-another
Clean Air Act(1970)
In creased power of federal government relative to power of state governments in controlling air quality.
Title IX (1972)-
Prohibited gender discrimination in federally subsidized education programs.
War Powers Act (1973
President could send troops overseas to an area where hostilities were imminent only if:
He notified Congress within 48 hours.
Freedom of Information Act (1974):
Allows public access to non-classified federal documents.
Gridlock
the inability to move bills forward, is a problem.
Contract With America
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
Eminent Domain
says that the government can take away private property for public use
Parks, freeways, airports
Our Repq
Salud Carbajal- 24th district
Reps in Congress
Kamala Harris & Diane Feinstein
Apportionment
The proportional process of allotting congressional sets to each state following the census
Redistricting
The redrawing of congressional districts to reflect increases/decreases in seats allotted to states as well as populations gifts within a state
Impeachment
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
Role of the Speaker of the House
Oversees house business, spokesperson for the house, 2nd in ,one of presidential succession
Seniority
Time of continuous service on a committee
Hold
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
Pocket Veto
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
Congressional Review
A process whereby Congress can nullify agency regulations by a joint resolution of legislative disapproval
Sensorial Courtesy
A process by which presidents, when selecting district court judges, defer to the senator in whose state the vacancy occurs
