exam 2 Flashcards
what does our congress do? what word describes the two house legislature?
make laws; bicameral
What are TWO SEPARATE POWERS OF THE US HOUSE?
Power of the Purse, Impeachment of officials (they charge officials only)
What is Power of the Purse
tax and spending bills have to start in House
What are THREE POWERS OF THE SENATE?
approve treaties, confirm presidential appointments, impeachment trials
When the Senate approves treaties and when the have an impeachment trial, what vote is necessary?
2/3rds vote
When Senate approves a presidential appointment, what vote is necessary?
simple majority vote
What qualifies you to be a US representative?
US citizen and resident of 7 yrs, 25 years of age, resident of your district/state
What qualifies you to be in the Senate?
US citizen and resident of 7 yrs, 30 yrs of age, resident of state
What five territories are represented by non-voting members of the US House?
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa
Reapportionment vs Redistricting
reapportioning is when, after the census, it is decided how many districts each state will be given, redistricting is the actual divisions, drawn out.
Gerrymandering
Redrawing of district lines to the advantage or disadvantage of any one group
pairing
Two current reps who are redistricted so they have to run against each other
WHAT ARE THE MAIN POWERS OF THE SPEAKER OF THE US HOUSE OF REPS? (5)
power of procedure, break a tie, assign members to committees, assign chairpersons to committees, assign bills to committees.
WHAT ARE THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE? (2)
power of procedure, break a tie
WHAT ARE THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADERS POWERS? (3)
assign members to committees, chairpersons to committees, and bills to committees.
What do whips do?
count votes and Reps in town
What 4 things does congress do almost all the time?
run for re-election, serve constituents, think up new laws, Bureaucratic oversight
what is the nickname of the congressional committees?
little legislatures
WHAT ARE THE FOUR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES, or little legislatures?
Standing committees, joint committees, select committees, and subcommittees.
Standing committees defin. and ex.
Permanent units for addressing bills. Agriculture, small business, homeland security, intelligence.
Conference committee
Any bill passed by both houses that is not the same goes here, in order to form a compromise. 5 members of senate and house and 3 in each must agree for it to pass out
how a bill becomes a law
in both house and senate, the bill is introduced, review by a standing com, subcom, and com, then reported out of com, the house rules com action, then bill is debated under rules and votes. after senate reports out of com it is debated and senate votes. THEN, if conference committee is needed, changes are made and passed, then pres can sign into law or veto
procedural rules in house
Rules committee, open rule, closed rule, rider.
procedural rules in senate
bills supposed to be considered in order. exception to the rule, filibuster (old and new), rule of cloture
Rules Committee
every bill goes here to be scheduled for a debate and have a rule assigned to it
Open rule
anyone at any time can propose and add an addendum/amendment to the bill
Closed rule
a vote must be passed before and amendment or addendum is added to a bill
how a bill becomes a law
in both house and senate, the bill is introduced, review by a standing com, subcom, and com, then reported out of com, the house rules com action, then bill is debated under rules and votes. after senate reports out of com it is debated and senate votes. THEN, if conference committee is needed, changes are made and passed, then pres can sign into law or veto
procedural rules in house
Rules committee, open rule, closed rule, rider.
procedural rules in senate
bills supposed to be considered in order. exception to the rule, filibuster (old and new), rule of cloture
Rules Committee
every bill goes here to be scheduled for a debate and have a rule assigned to it
Open rule
anyone at any time can propose and add an addendum/amendment to the bill
Closed rule
a vote must be passed before and amendment or addendum is added to a bill
rider
amendment to a bill that has nothing to do with it.
Trustee vs delegate
trustee-trust me:congressman votes on their personal opinion. Delegate (consensus): takes polls and votes majority. Current, most are trustees
Filibuster (old and new)
a delaying tactic. Old: taking control of senate floor by talking until you can’t talk anymore. New: get 41 senators to agree not to vote rule of cloture
Rule of cloture
3/5 vote to stop debate and schedule bill for a vote
WHAT ARE 6 STRATEGIES THAT CONGRESS MEMBERS USE TO DECIDE HOW TO VOTE?
personal opinion, constituent opinion, presidential pressure, party pressure, special interest pressure, log rolling (favor for favor)
What kinds of constituent services do people expect from their congressmen?
“casework”
partisan vs bipartisan
one party is interested, where bi is when majority of both parties agreee
Trustee vs delegate
trustee-trust me:congressman votes on their personal opinion. Delegate (consensus): takes polls and votes majority
Why is the presidency seen as the most powerful position in our government?
a lot of power placed in hands of pres, since so many people vote for him.
When did the first peaceful transition, or revolution, occur in US Politics?
Switching from Adams to Jefferson in the 1800 election
who was the first VP to take over for a pres?
John Tyler took over for William Harrison in 1841
Two main goals of our early presidents?
foreign relations, working with congress
What was President Washington’s basic definition of the US Presidency?
Mediator of the Agencies
Who coined phrase, “government is best, which governs least?”
Thomas Jefferson
who initiated and pushed through the Louisiana Purchase?
Thomas Jefferson
WHAT WERE 2 MAIN PROBS MADISON FOUND DURING WAR OF 1812?
too few finances and too few military units
What domestic matters did President/Congress concentrate on during the 1820’s and 1830’s?
Slavery and the debt
Which President started and completed a War with Mexico and expanded the American west?
James Polk
3 BOLD MOVES LINCOLN is known for
called up navy without congress, called up army without congress, suspended Habeus Corpus
what did the Roosevelt Corollary do?
Made US policeman of the Americas
What was Woodrow Wilson’s biggest failure?
Treaty of Versailles
3 MAJOR INITIATIVES OF FDR’S NEW DEAL
unemployment insurance, social security, and creation of FDIC
how did FDR redefine the presidency and what war did he lead us through?
an active leader of American politics, not follower. WWII.
what was the Truman doctrine and what war did we fight in because of it?
it was the doctrine that pledged US aid to any country battling communism, Cold War
Although Great Society failed, in what three areas did we see some positive change?
Medicaid, Medicare, education
Although President Richard Nixon resigned, what did he have the greatest success?
he had great success abroad with China and USSR
5 ROLES OF US PRES?
Chief of State (head cheerleader of nation). Chief Executive (head of bureaucracy). Chief diplomat (#1 diplomat when leaves US). Chief Legislator (95% of bills going to congress start in WH). Commander in Chief (order military to do whatever)
WHY WAS REAGAN SO SUCCESSFUL AND WHAT 3 THINGS DID HE DO?
He connected with the general public. he cut taxes, extended military and cut social services
For what two reasons did President George HW Bush lose his bid for re-election?
couldn’t connect with people, the debt
President BILL CLINTON WAS SUCCESSFUL, even with a Republican Congress. Why?
he made Republican problems his problems.
What were the successes of President George W. Bush in his first term? Second term?
1st: No Child Left Behind, War on Terror. None in 2nd.
WHAT ARE THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS OF PRESIDENCY?
VETO, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, APPOINTMENT POWER, NEGOTIATE TREATIES, PARDONS AND PAROLES, CALL SPECIAL SESSIONS, EXECUTIVE HEAD OF NATION, COMMISSIONS ALL OFFICERS.
5 ROLES OF US PRES?
Chief of State (head cheerleader of nation). Chief Executive (head of bureaucracy). Chief diplomat (#1 diplomat when leaves US). Chief Legislator (95% of bills going to congress start in WH). Commander in Chief (order military to do whatever)
4 Implied powers of US PRES
Crisis manager, party leader, executive orders, executive agreements.
How has the role of the Vice President changed over the course of the last 100 yrs?
they used to be worthless but now are more of partners with pres
other than replacing pres, what is the one constitutional duty of VP?
pres of US senate
how has role of pres cabinet changed in the last 100 yrs?
used to actually advise, today they are just underlings following the presidential directives, not much advisory role
current white house Chief of Staff
Dennis McDonough
current WH Press Secretary
Jay Carney
four (5?) agencies that make up the executive office of presidency
OMB (off of management and budget), Council of economic advisors, the NSC, Office of US Trade Representatives, Communication Staff
oldest elected pres? youngest elected? youngest?
Reagan, JFK, Teddy Roosevelt
What are the roles of the first lady and who made it a more aggressive role?
roles evolve, current: Legislation, Chief of State, Chief Diplomat and Party leader. Eleanor Roosevelt.
3 most important relationships for pres
Public, Congress, Media,
Why was Reagan called such a great communicator
he could connect with everyone.
Why Presidents MUST cooperate and/or “get along” with Congress?
to pass laws
3 CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME PRES OF US
Natural born US citizen, 35 yrs old, 14 yr resident of US.
oldest elected pres? youngest elected? youngest?
Reagan, JFK, Teddy Roosevelt
why does every society have an organization?
to create order, bc without it=chaos=death.
amenities in white house
movie house, pool, tennis courts, horseshoes, T-Ball etc. Transportation: Air Force 1, fleet of 25 helicopters, SUVs and limos
Air Force 1 planes available?
4
where do they get medical and dental?
Bethesda Hospital
Bureaucracy definition
an organization for accomplishing specific goals
Max Weber’s 6 characteristics of a bureaucracy
- organized along lines of specialization and expertise, 2. hierarchal chain of command. 3. common set of rules or SOP. 4. good record maintenance. 5. air of professionalism. 6. merit based hiring protected from politics.
why does every society have an organization?
to create order, bc without it=chaos=death.
WHAT IS A BUREAUCRAT?
An expert in their field
What were the three original Departments of the US Government? Which one was Part-time?
State, treasury, and war. (probably war)
what is the federal register?
journal that publishes the drafts of regulations for the federal bureaucracy.
What term describes how agencies implement vague or ambiguous laws of congress?
administrative discretion
What entity makes the final decision of what is a reasonable interpretation of a law?
judicial branch?
approximately how many work for federal govt and breakdowns
4.5 million. 2 mil civilian employees. 1 mil USPS employees, 1.5 mil military personnel.
Before the 20th Century, what were the four roles of the US Bureaucracy?
- war/diplomacy. 2. regulate money. 3. run court system. 4. run postal service.
What were the three original Departments of the US Government? Which one was Part-time?
State, treasury, and war. (probably war)
how much did federal budget grow from 30s to 60s?
9 bil to 300+ bil
What four strategies shifted power from the federal to state governments in the 1980’s and 90’s?
privatization, deregulation, devolution (transfer of power back to state govts), re-inventing govts
WHAT ARE 4 TYPES OF BUREAUCRATIC AGENCIES, AND EXAMPLES?
Departments (Dept of Homeland Security), Independent agencies (FBI, CIA), Regulatory agencies (duty to regulate/protect customers, ex FDA, EPA), Govt Corporations (USPS,GPO)
approximately how many work for federal govt and breakdowns
4.5 million. 2 mil civilian employees. 1 mil USPS employees, 1.5 mil military personnel.
What percent of the presidents hired have to be approved by Senate?
10 percent
patronage vs Civil Service
patronage: hiring based on who you know. CS: Government HR hires based on qualified or merit based applicants.
what act protects Civil Servants from partisan politics?
Hatch Act
How did the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 change Civil Service?
it replaced it with OPM (office of personnel management) and MSPB (Merit system protection board)
What is the paradox between what the General Public wants in a Supreme Court Justice and what they want the Supreme Court to do?
Justices to be strict but court to be loose
WHAT IS THE basic job of the Federal Judiciary?
interpret the law
two main types of law
Civil law and Criminal law.
What kinds of written opinions are there?
- Majority Opinion, the decision that most of the justices agree with.
- Dissenting (minority) Opinion, the decision that only a few of the justices agree with.
Constitutional qualifications for a SC Justice
there are no constitutional specifications to be a SC Justice.
ultimate power of SC
judicial review
how can congress and pres override Judicial review
Make an amendment to change constitution.
know process for how SC grants cert
1) Request review by S.C. - Complete a Writ of Certiorari
Two rules for each case reviewed in order to “grant cert:”
a) Has it gone to the highest state court?
b) Does it ask a Constitutional question?
2) Cert goes to Justice’s Conference, where 4 justices must agree.
3) Case is set for Court’s docket (schedule).
4) Both sides required to submit briefs (written papers outline case and its history) before oral arguments before the Court.
5) Each side will get 30 minutes to plead their case.
6) Justices will decide the case in conference, then issue opinion.
Federal judges are nominated and confirmed for life, how are state judges selected?
they hire, select, and/or appoint judges.
What kinds of written opinions are there?
- Majority Opinion, the decision that most of the justices agree with.
- Dissenting (minority) Opinion, the decision that only a few of the justices agree with.
We use the adversarial method for trials, but what are the two conditions for a guilty verdict?
it must be a unanimous vote, and must be beyond a reasonable doubt.
petit jury vs grand jury
petit for a civil or criminal case of 6-12 people who determine guilt or innocence. grand inquire in accusations of crime and evaluate the grounds for indictments.
what percent of cases are handled through a plea bargain?
90%
WHAT IS THE ATTITUDINAL MODEL?
it correctly predicts how justices will vote on a case 60% of the time
Federal judges are nominated and confirmed for life, how are state judges selected?
they hire, select, and/or appoint judges.
What are the five major influences on who is selected for a federal judgeship?
current political climate, nominee’s political ideology, judicial experience, demographic factors, political loyalty.
What does the Solicitor general do? Who is the current Solicitor general?
US Defense Attorney, Donald B Verrilli Jr.
JUDICIAL RESTRAINT VS JUDICIAL ACTIVISM
restraint is following the law exactly as written, activism is interpretation of laws based on needs of society.
our current judicial dilemma
Provide equal justice under the law while making justice the guardian of liberty
WHAT IS THE ATTITUDINAL MODEL?
it correctly predicts how justices will vote on a case 60% of the time
Define Public Opinion
Compilation of beliefs about one subject
how does this differ from conventional wisdom?
CW is based on observation (which could be wrong)
our two main ideologies
conservative=favors activism in defense of more traditional social issues and govt restraint on economic redistribution. and liberal=assertive role in redistribution of economic resources and emphasizes individual freedom.
Political socialization
learning process by which we develop our beliefs on govt
how does the primacy principle (tendency) affect it?
what we learn first, we learn best
the 5 aspects of life that affect our political socialization.
religion, family, friends, media, and education
how can we tell if a poll is accurate, and what 3 things determine this?
its should have a sampling error of less than 5. sampling size, randomness, and bias of questions
who developed statistics?
Edmund Fisher
When we look at the results of the poll, what three characteristics
Direction, Intensity and Continuity.
