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Congress Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the format of the Senate?

A

2 representatives from each state (100); 1/3 are voted on every 2 years (staggered); they were originally chosen by state legislators, but the 17th Amendment provided direct election by the people.

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2
Q

What is the format of the House?

A

Representatives based on population (census every 10 years); 435 representatives; They serve 2 year terms; Up for election at the same time.

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3
Q

What groups prefer descriptive representation?

A

Women and minorities because they feel as though representatives that look/act like them will better represent them.

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4
Q

What is Racial Gerrymandering?

A

The drawing of a legislative district to maximize the chance that a minority candidate will win the election.

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5
Q

Regularly, what cases are present in the Supreme Court?

A

Gerrymandering cases

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6
Q

What are the duties for both chambers?

A

Declaring war, raising the Army/Navy, borrowing and coining money, regulating interstate commerce, creating federal courts, establishing rules for the naturalization of immigrants. All laws are under the necessary and proper clause.

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7
Q

What does the Necessary and Proper clause state?

A

“make all laws necessary and proper”

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8
Q

What are the duties of the House?

A
  1. The right to originate revenue bills
  2. Impeachment
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9
Q

What is Impeachment?

A

The formal charging of a government official with “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors”

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10
Q

Who can be impeached? Examples?

A

President, VP, and “civil officers” of the national government. For example, A. Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump

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11
Q

What are the Duties of the Senate?

A
  1. Court of Impeachment (needs a 2/3 majority)
  2. Approves presidential appointments (judges of federal courts, cabinet members, and ambassadors) and treaties with foreign countries
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12
Q

What do elections offer voters?

A

The chance to show approval of congress’s performance by reelecting incumbents. Even though congress ratings are currently very low.

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13
Q

What is an incumbent?

A

A current office holder

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14
Q

What are the main reasons an incumbent is reelected?

A
  1. Redistricting- states redraw lines after census; leads to Gerrymandering; used since 1800s; some say this polarizes parties
  2. Name Recognition- publicity from speeches and community appearances; sent out mailings to show off accomplishments ~ congressman’s “franking privilege”
  3. Case Work- solving problems for constituents; standing up for important issues like immigration, healthcare, veteran benefits, social security
  4. Campaign Financing- It is more difficult for outsiders to raise funds; PACs tend to donate to incumbents
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15
Q

Why might an incumbent not get reelected?

A
  1. Age
  2. Lack of Seniority
  3. Scandal Surrounding Their Campaign
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16
Q

How many midterm elections has the president’s party lost since WWII?

A

2

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17
Q

What class are 50% (as of 2014) of Congress?

A

They are mostly upper class professionals (lawyers and businesspeople) who are millionaires.

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18
Q

What are some underrepresented groups in Congress?

A

Blue collar workers, women, and minorities

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18
Q

What is a Bill?

A

A proposed law

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19
Q

First Step of How a Bill Becomes a Law

A

A member of Congress will introduce it to the congressional agenda. This is controlled by the Speaker/Pro Tempore. A Congress member will intro their bill once the agenda is set.

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20
Q

Second Step to How a Bill Becomes a Law

A

It is assigned to a committee or subcommittee. The members will hold hearings, staffers conduct research. The bill is revised.

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21
Q

What is consistent agenda?

A

foreign aid, national debt, social security

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22
Q

What is sudden agenda?

A

cyber security, highly publicized events (mass shootings)

23
Q

Third Step in How a Bill Becomes a Law

A

It gets out of the full committee, then moves to the entire chamber. It gets debated and amended. Then it can be passed or defeated.

24
Q

HOUSE ONLY RULE for bills coming out of committee

A

The bill will go to the Rules Committee.

25
Q

What is the Rules Committee (House)?

A

They attach a rule to the bill to govern the coming floor debate, specifying the length of debate and the types of amendments to be offered.

26
Q

Fourth Step of How a Bill Becomes a Law

A

Both chambers of Congress pass a Bill on the same subject, but are slightly different. So, there is a conference committee with legislators from both chambers to compromise. They combine the bills and make adjustments.

27
Q

Fifth Step of How a Bill Becomes a Law

A

This revised bill goes back to the separate chambers for a second vote. If it passes it goes to the president.

28
Q

What is Veto?

A

A presidential power; a presidents disapproval of a Bill that has been passed by both chambers. Basically, a no.

29
Q

Sixth Step of How a Bill Becomes a Law

A

President signs or vetos the bill into a Law.

30
Q

Can Congress override a veto?

A

Yes, with 2/3 majority in each chamber.

31
Q

What happens if a Bill isn’t signed 10 days after the president receives it?

A

It becomes a law.

32
Q

What happens if a Bill is given to the president within 10 days of a Congressional adjourning for holiday?

A

The President can let the bill “die”. This is called a pocket veto by not signing it.

33
Q

What are committees in Congress used for?

A

To develop and use expertise in specific areas by congressmen

34
Q

What is a standing committee? How many?

A

a permanent committee that specializes in a specific policy area; 16 (with 16-20 members) in the Senate; 21 (40 members) in the House

35
Q

What are the four functions of party leaders?

A
  1. Overseeing Institutional Procedure
  2. Managing Legislation (Setting Agenda)
  3. Fundraising
  4. Communicate with the Press
36
Q

Who is the House Majority Leader?

A

Speaker of the House; Mike Johnson (R)

37
Q

What are the roles of the Speaker of the House?

A

They are a constitutional officer, and second in line for the presidency. They set agenda and follow parliamentary procedure.

38
Q

Who are under the Speaker?

A

The party leaders and whips

39
Q

What is a Whip?

A

They keep track of the vote count and rally support for legislation on the floor.

40
Q

Who is the leader of the Senate?

A

The VP

41
Q

What role does the VP have in the Senate?

A

Mostly breaking ties

42
Q

What is the honorary party position called?

A

Pro Tempore; Patty Murray (D)

43
Q

Who is the majority leader in the Senate?

A

Charles E. Schumer (D)

44
Q

What does the majority leader of Senate do?

A

They schedule legislation working with the minority leader, help to steer bargaining and negotiation over the content of legislation, and persuade trade offs to win votes and convince the best deal possible has been achieved.

45
Q

What procedure does Congress follow?

A

Parliamentary Procedure

46
Q

How do each of the chambers decide debate procedure?

A

House: Rules Committee
Senate: takes a unanimous vote, so if one senator objects, debate is stalled

47
Q

What is a Filibuster?

A

A delaying tactic used in the Senate that involves speech making to prevent action on a piece of legislation. This is because, historically, the Senate gives unlimited debate speaking time.

48
Q

In the HOUSE, how long can a member speak for before unanimous consent must be given?

A

1 hour

49
Q

What is Cloture?

A

The mechanism by which a Filibuster is cut off in the Senate; takes a vote from 60 to invoke Cloture.

50
Q

What is Hold?

A

A letter requesting that a Bill be held from floor debate; the majority can take the legislation off the table, compromise, or hold a Cloture vote.

51
Q

What happened between the two parties regarding filibustering?

A

Democrats eliminated filibustering for federal judge vote; Republicans retaliated by doing the same with Supreme Court justices

52
Q

What 4 things impact decision making in Congress?

A
  1. Political Parties- Legislators reflect the views of their party; some have different or unique ideologies; compromise is necessary
  2. Presidential Influence- Presidents typically act like they speak for the majority (as they are nationally elected); they try to push bills through Congress and broker compromise
  3. Constituents- people who live and vote in a government officials district or state; they are sensitive to issues that concern constituents
  4. Interest Groups- They press members of Congress on specific issues that may be important to constituents back home; fund raise for campaigns
53
Q

What is a Trustee?

A

Legislators are obligated to consider constituents, but they are not obligated to vote according to those views if they are misguided; Edmund Burke- Representatives are sent to vote as they see best (conscience)

54
Q

What is a Delegate?

A

They have a primary responsibility to represent the majority of their constituents, regardless of what their own personal beliefs and views are.

AP Gov (3 decks)

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