Congress Flashcards
House more powerful in terms of spending Obama evidence
$1.8 trillion spending pack under Obama started in the house
Example of filibuster being used
Thurmond 1757
- Spoke for 24hrs to delay the civil rights act
(failed)
Senate ratifying power example
(strong executive and senate link)
Ratified Obamas ‘strategic arms reduction treaty’
Shows strong link between senate and executive
Over how long did ACA act discussions take in the senate?
Over a year long
How many times was trump tried for impeachment?
Twice
2020 - Abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
2021 - Incitement of insurrection (attacks on capitol after Bidens victory)
What did the voters right act address?
Racial discrimination in voting
What does ADA 1990 stand for
Americans with disability act
2 key amendments voted in congress but did not receive 2/3 majority?
Flag protection amendment
Federal marriage amendment
What % of CEOs are from ethnic minorities in the US?
5%
What is the rise in African American students graduating from 2000 to 2020?
71% to 86%
When was the Hate Crime prevention act passed and who?
Obama 2009
What did the Hate Crime prevention act do? (3)
- Expanded HC defintion
- Greater state support for HC issues
- Enhanced law enforcement training
What did the welfare reform act of 1996 do? (2)
Power to states
Determine benefits amount and set eligibility requirements
Who did the national minimum drinking act 1984 give power to?
Federal govt
what did the national minimum drinking act 1984 enforce?
Age 21 to posses/purchase drinks
- If states did not enforce they’d risk losing federal highway funds?
What did states risk losing if they did not enforce the Who did the national minimum drinking act 1984?
Federal highway funds
significance of US v Lopez 1996?
first time in over half a century that the Court limited Congress’s power under the commerce clause
What got shutdown under US v Lopez 1995?
Gun free school zones act
(limited CC scope)
What did McDonald v Chicago extend?
The right to own guns?
Summarise McDonald V Chicago
Chicago banned handgun possession
Violated 2nd and 14th amendment
What year was the hate crime preventio act?
2009
What did obamacare 2019 do?
Expand healthcare coverage and medicaid
When was the ADA?
Americans with disabilities 1990
What year was the welfare reform act?
1996
What did the welfare reform act do?
Gave state power on welfare spending
- State power to determine benefit amounts and elegibility requirements
What 2 things did the welfare reform act 1996 do for states?
- Determine benefits amount
- Set elegibility requirements
Affirmative action policies (3)
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
contractors disabled ppl
Higher Education Act of 1965
programs to improve access to higher education and grants
Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972
expanded powers of the EOCC
what is the EEOC?
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
How many % of women in the 118th congress
29%
What is the Inflation reduction act
$783 billion on energy and climate change
(No republican in the senate voted for this)
What is the American rescue plan (Biden)
a spending pack relief after covid-19
Party lines vote
What amendment enshrined Obergfell v Hodges?
14th
Legislation that protects civil rights in education
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965
Legislation that protects civil rights for women
Violence against women act 1994
Recent unpassed voting rights bill?
Freedom to vote bill 2023
Congressman John Sarbones introduced to enhance voting access
However, bill is in current gridlock (time consuming)
What law made equal education for low-income/marginalised groups?
Elementary and secondary education act 1965
How many democrats voted for the inflation reduction act 2022?
All of them
How many democrats voted for the tax cuts and jobs act 2017?
All of them under president trump
What is the Laken Riley act 2025
detention of undocumented immigrants who are charged with crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
empowers state attorneys general to sue the federal government if immigration laws are not adequately enforced
12 Democratic senators joining all Republicans in favour
