Congress/Bureaucracy/Exec Flashcards
Alexander Hamilton 1788; small states want plural executive. He thought there should be a single Executive because it would be more stable and easier for the people to keep up with. Energy and executive, duration of term, unity
Federalist 70
Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.
Federalist 51
Section of the Constitution laying out powers and responsibilities of the Executive Branch
Article 2 of the Constitution
Amendment that created a 2 term limit on presidents.
22nd Amendment
(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve
25th Amendment
a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.
executive order
A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.
executive agreement
the effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies
oversight
Passed in 1883, an Act that created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage.
Pendleton Civil Service Act
the ability to use the office of the presidency to promote a particular program and/or to influence Congress to accept legislative proposals
Bully Pulpit
the person who oversees the operations of all White House staff and controls access to the president
chief of staff
Decides how the laws of the US are to be enforced and choosing officials and advisors to help run the Executive Branch
Chief Executive
the president’s executive role as the head of federal agencies and the person responsible for the implementation of national policy
Chief Administrator
term for the president as architect of public policy and the one who sets the agenda for congress
Chief Legislator
The President as the main architect of American foreign policy and the nation’s chief spokesperson to other countries
Chief Diplomat
The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States.
Commander in Chief
The President is the head of their political party.
Party Chief
term for the President as the ceremonial head of the United States, the symbol of all the people of the nation
Chief of State
Chief executive’s power to reject a bill passed by a legislature
veto
presides over the Senate, decides on Presidential disability
Vice President
Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
impeachment
Those to which bills are referred for consideration. They are so called because they continue from one Congress to the next. They consider issues roughly parallel to those of the departments represented i the president’s Cabinet. For example, there are these committees on agriculture, education, the judiciary, veterans’ affairs, transportation, and commerce.
Standing Committee in Congress
Also known as Special Committees. Temporary committees appointed for specific purposes, such as investigating the 9/11 terrorist attacks or examining then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s actions on Benghazi or her use of a private email server. These committees can be very partisan.
Select Committee in Congress
Special joint committees created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate. This type of committee comprises members from the House and Senate committees that originally considered the bill.
Conference Committee in Congress
Standing committees that include members from both houses of Congress and are set up to conduct investigations or special studies. They focus public attention on major matters such as the economy, taxation, or scandals.
Joint Committee in Congress
How does Congress provide stability and accountability in the federal government?
Congress must agree before the country goes to war and can balance out the President’s power to veto by overriding it with a 2/3 vote.
A constitutionally mandated structure that gives each of the three branches of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of the others.
Checks and Balances
What is the role of the Speaker of the House?
The only officer of the House of Representatives specifically mentioned in the Constitution, the chamber’s most powerful position, traditionally a member of the majority party.
What is the role of the Majority/Minority floor leaders?
The heads of the parties that are in the majority or minority in the House of Representatives or the Senate.
What is the role of Majority/Minority whips?
Party leaders who keep close contact with all the members of their party, takes vote counts on key legislation, prepares summaries of bills, and acts as a communications link within a party.
What is the role of the Committee Chairman?
Responsible for making sure that each meeting is planned effectively, conducted according to the constitution, and that matters are dealt with in an orderly, efficient manner.
What is the role of the Senate President Pro Tempore?
The official chair of the Senate, usually the most senior member of the majority party.
What are the differences between the House and the Senate?
House members must be twenty-five years of age and citizens for seven years. Senators are at least thirty years old and citizens for nine years. Another difference is who they represent. Senators represent their entire states, but members of the House represent individual districts.
What affect does gerrymandering have on the House of Representatives?
Affects elections for the House of Representatives.
What is the incumbency advantage?
For most political offices, the incumbent often has more name recognition due to their previous work in the office. Incumbents also have easier access to campaign finance, as well as government resources (such as the franking privilege) that can be indirectly used to boost the incumbent’s re-election campaign.
How does the incumbency advantage affect the make up of Congress?
Congress members running for reelection have the incumbency advantage and are therefore more likely to be elected.
What is the legislative process? How does a bill become a law?
After both the House and Senate have approved a bill in identical form, the bill is sent to the President. If the President approves of the legislation, it is signed and becomes law. If the President takes no action for ten days while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law.
A procedure by which a senator asks to be informed before a particular bill or nomination is brought to the floor. This request signals leadership that a member may have objections to the bill or nomination and should be consulted before further action is taken.
Legislative Process: Hold
An additional provision added to a bill or other measure under the consideration by a legislature, having little connection with the subject matter of the bill.
Legislative Process: Riders
Considers all bills reported from policy and fiscal committees and determines whether, and in what order, to schedule their consideration on the floor of the House.
Legislative Process: Rules Committee
A formal way of halting Senate action on a bill by means of long speeches or unlimited debate.
Legislative Process: Fillibuster
Mechanism requiring the vote of 60 Senators to cut off debate.
Legislative Process: Cloture
An elected representative who listens to constituents’ opinions and then uses their best judgement to make a final decision.
Trustee member of Congress
A representative who votes the way their constituents would want, regardless of personal opinions. May refer to an elected representative to Congress or a representative to the party convention.
Delegate member of Congress
A committed member of a political party or army. In multi-party systems, the term is used for persons who strongly support their party’s policies and are reluctant to compromise with political opponents.
Partisan member of Congress
