Chapters 10, 11, 12 Flashcards
What are three reasons for a bicameral house?
Historical, Pratical, and Theoretical
How long do the terms of Congress last and how often must they meet?
Two years, twice, term restarts in January
When are the elections for congress?
Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even years
What are the sessions of Congress and how can the President check the sessions of Congress?
The period of time each year that Congress meets- the president can adjourn a session of congress when the groups cannot decide when to adjourn
What are special sessions and who calls them?
Meetings to deal with emergency situations- the President
What is bicameral?
Two houses
Can someone get in trouble for what they say during Congressional sessions?
No
In the House, how long are their terms and how are their numbers decided?
2 years, population with each state getting at least one
What is apportion?
Distributing seats for the House
What is reapportion?
Redistributing seats in the House after each census
What was the goal of the Reapportionment Act of 1929 and what four things did it put in place?
Automatic reapportionment
- house is 435 people
- census bureau determines number of seats per state
- the president sends the numbers to congress
- they have 60 days to reject it, if not it is official
How many people are in the house and how are they chosen?
435- 435 districts
What is a single member or at large election?
SM- voters each elect one from a group
AL- elected by the state as a whole
What is gerrymandering?
Drawing districts to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature
What is the significance of Wesberry v Sanders?
It said that too big a population difference in districts is unconstitutional
What are the three qualifications for a Representative and what happens if they are not met?
25 years/US citizen for 7 years/live in state where elected
The house refuses the seat
How many people are in the senate and how is that dermined?
2 per state for 100 total
What did the 17th amendment change about how senators were elected?
State legislature-> the people
How long is the term for a senator?
6 years
What does “the senate is a continuous body” mean?
All of the seats are never up for reelection at the same time
What are the three qualifications for a senator?
30 years old/US citizen for 9 years/live in the state they represent
What type of people make up Congress?
Upper-Middle class white males
What are the four voting options or types a lawmaker has?
Trustee- decide issues on their merits
Delegate- agent of their people
Partisan- along party lines
Politco- mix of other three
What is the main job of commitees?
Screen bills
What are some examples of non-salary compensation?
Tax deductions, travel allowances, insurance, low-cost medical care, franking privilege, capital (resturants, services, gyms, pools, parking)
There are three types of ways to interpret the constitution. What is the person and political party associated with strict and liberal, and what does consensus mean?
Strict- Jefferson, Anti-Fed
Liberal- Hamilton, Fed
Consensus- general agreement
What are the five powers of money and commerce, are their limits on the amount congress can borrow and what does deficit spending mean?
- the power to tax
- borrowing (no limits, deficit-spend more than make)
- commerce
- banking
- bankruptcy
What other two main powers does congress have and how are they shared?
Foreign relations- LEG + EXEC
War- mainly done by president
What is the necessary and proper clause?
Congress has the power to make all necessary and proper laws to extend its powers
What is the significance of McCulloch v Maryland?
Congress can do anything reasonably related to carrying out the expressed powers
What are the four non-legislative powers congress has?
- propose amendments by a 2/3 vote
- electoral duties (tiebreaker)
- impeachment
- executive (senate-confirm app. + treaties)
What are the presiding officers (most important) in each house (2 for senate)?
HoR- speaker of the house
Sen- president of the senate (VP) and President Pro Tempore
What is the party caucus?
Closed meetings of the members of the parties of each house, dealing mostly with party matters of party organization
What are the whips?
The two floor leaders in each house are assisted by whips, assisting floor leaders
Where is most of the work in congress done?
Committee
Why were congressional committees formed?
To divide the workload in congress
What is a standing committee, how are they devided, and how are their chairperson chosen?
Special permeant committee to consider each bill that is introduced, sub-committees focusing on their assignment part, seniority
What is the purpose of the house rules committee?
Screen all the different bills “traffic cop”
What must a bill do before it is sent to the president?
Pass identically through both houses
What does a conference committee do and does it work?
A temporary joint body created to iron out differences in a bill so a compromise is created to make it through both houses successfully; yes
What is a bill?
A proposed law presented to congress for consideration
What is a rider?
An unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass so that is will “ride” through the legislative process
What is a discharge petition?
A procedure enabling members to force a bill that has been pigeonholed into committee onto the floor for consideration
What is a quorum?
The least number of members that must be present for a legislative body to conduct business; a majority
What is a filibuster and where do they happen?
Various tactics (usually long speeches) aimed at defeating a bill in congress by preventing a final vote; senate
What is cloture?
Procedure that may be used to limit or end floor debate
What is a veto?
The presidents power to reject a bill passed by congress
What can the president do when he gets a bill (congress in/out of session)?
Sign or vote
Congress in- no action for 10 days = law
Congress out- no action after congress adjourns its second session = pocket veto and bill dies
What are the fourteen steps from a bill to a law (if veto)?
1-Idea 2-Sponsored by rep. or senator 3-Introduced to floor 4-Referral committee 5-Committee action 6-Sub-Committee review 7-Committee action to report a bill 8-Schedule floor action 9-Debate 10-Vote 11-Other chamber 12-Conference committee action 13-President action 14-Overriding a veto
