Congress Flashcards
Example of Congress effectively scrutinising a bill
The removal of the public option from ACA 2010.
E.g. Infrastructure investment and Jobs Act 2021 initially included a provision requiring banks to report all transactions over $600 to the IRS, raising privacy concerns. After bipartisan backlash, this provision was removed before the bill passed.
What is the success rate for presidential vetos
92% up until 2017 - to override a veto, there must be a 2/3 majority in both houses.
What are standing committees (give an example)
Permanent legislative committees which review bills, oversee/investigate government agencies and programs.
E.g. Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings on all federal judicial decisions made by POTUS.
What are select committees
Committees set up to investigate matters of public concern.
E.g. Benghazi Committee 2014
E.g.HOUSE Jan 6th Committee 2020 (Democrat majority) saw 2 members of Trump’s inner circle be prosecuted for contempt of Congress and serve 4 months.
E.g. Republican controlled Senate Select committee on Intelligence 2020 was criticised for failing to properly investigate the Trump administration’s role in Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election.
What is the Ways and Means Committee
A standing committee with influence over government spending, jurisdiction over taxation and economic policy (e.g. the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act).
Pork Barrel Politics EXAMPLES
GOOD - Robert Byrd (West Virginia) Senator brought about lots of funding to his state. $3.3 BILLION between 1991-2008.
BAD - 2005 Alaska “bridge to nowhere” a multi-million dollar bridge being made between a small town and an island with 50 inhabitants. Project was cancelled in 2015.
What is a filibuster
Because floor debate is not limited in the Senate, Senators are able to talk in order to “time out” the floor debate.
E.g. 2013 Ted Crux red “Green eggs and ham” in order to filibuster ACA.
3/5 of Senate is required for “cloture” (however, there were 139 cloture petitions passed in 2007-2008)
What did the Washington Post release at the end of Obama’s first term?
A list of 17 major acts which could have passed if it weren’t for the filibuster (including the DREAM Act and repeal on Bush-era tax cuts for millionaires).
What is K Street
A major center for lobbying from groups, law firms, trade associations and think tanks
What is REDMAP and examples
A “redistricting majority project” from the Republican party which gerrymander’s constituent boundaries to benefit them.
2014, Pennsylvanian District voted 44% Democrat, but only 1/3 of the seats were democrat.
Facts on the Demographic representation in the HOUSE
57/435 African American members of the House (this is roughly proportional to the population).
29% women (lagging behind other modern democracies - UK is roughly 40%)
Sarah McBride is the first trans congresswoman
Facts on the Demographic representation in the SENATE
27 Female Senators, 84 white Senators, 7 Hispanic and 5 Black
How does the Voting Rights Act 1965 mandate minority representation
When a minority group makes up a large enough proportion of a state’s population, that state must draw a district for that community.
Allen v Milligan 2023: Alabama’s redistricting plan violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
What was the SAVE LIVES Act 2021
Expanded the COVID-19 vaccinations for veterans and their families.
Give an example of a presidential veto being overturned
JASTA 2016 - Justice against sponsors of terrorism act was vetoed by Obama (this act allowed victims of 9/11 attacks to sue the Saudi Arabian government)
Name some key provisions of the war powers act
1973 - president must notify Congress within 48 hours of military action and prohibits armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days (unless granted an extension by Congress or Congress announces war).
Example of House representative who votes along the lines of their consituency
Jared Golden (D) is a representative of Maine’s second district who voted for Trump in 2020 and 2024, he was the only House Democrat to vote against Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package (American Rescue Plan) in 2021. And he voted in favour of Trump era tax cuts.
Incumbency rates 2025
95%
Example of lobbying in committees
The House Energy and Commerce committees is often lobbied by members of fuel companies and the American petroleum institute.
What did Mitch McConnell say about Divided Government
It “is the perfect time to do big things, the perfect time”
Example of productivity during a divided government
1996 Welfare Reform package between Clinton and the Congressional Republicans
How many government shut downs have there been since 1976
21
How long was the shutdown 2018-2019 and what was it about?
35 days over a dispute over expanding barriers on the U.S.–Mexico border.
What was the tea party movement
A right-wing movement dismisses bipartisanship and compromise as the cynical manoeuvres of a Washington-based political class. Claiming to represent the “silent majority”, the Tea Party is determined to resist any increase in taxation, federal spending or control, including Obamacare.
Example of senator voting along social personal preference
Lisa Murkowski - announced her support of same-sex marriage, citing the encouragement of family values and Alaskans’ favor of limiting government’s power.
