Polar bear's back, he now has a disease.

Question 1

How does voting work in congress?

Answer 1

Must be present to vote (no requirement to vote, politically necessary to vote), simple majority.

Question 2

What happens when a bill passes in one house?

Answer 2

It’s sent to the other house, starts over, must be same in both houses.

Question 3

What is a conference committee (joint committee)?

Answer 3

Temporary joint committee (separate versions of the same bill), may create a compromise, back to the chambers for new vote with no amendments.

Question 4

What happens once a bill passes in both houses?

Answer 4

It goes to the president, president signs it or vetoes it, house can override veto with 2/3 vote in both houses.

Question 5

What is entitlement spending?

Answer 5

Program that entitles a group of people to receive benefits. No $ limit, food stamps, social security.

Question 6

What is discretionary spending?

Answer 6

Programs where congress sets spending limits.

Question 7

What is pork barrel legislation?

Answer 7

Tangible benefits to constituents of a district (bridges, parks), typically relatively small compared to entitlement programs, pork to one person but necessity to another.

Question 8

What do congressional committees do?

Answer 8

Real work of congress is done, consider bills, oversight of federal agencies, chairs are very powerful.

Question 9

What are the two types of congressional committees?

Answer 9

Standing committees (permanent, specific legislation responsibilities, only one house), joint committees (have representatives and senators).

Question 10

What are the two characteristics of standing committees?

Answer 10

2-3 members and opinions reflect their states.

Question 11

What are the characteristics of congressional staffs?

Answer 11

Personal staff, at home and in DC, representatives (approximately 17-18 person staff), Senators have over 40 staff.

Question 12

What are the general responsibilities of congressional staff?

Answer 12

Helping constituents (letters, phone calls, helping with problems with the federal government), work in the district.

Question 13

How do congressional staff assist in legislation?

Answer 13

They research issues, help write bills, meet with lobbyists, and work in DC.

Question 14

What do staff agencies do in congressional staff?

Answer 14

They’re nonpartisan, work in congress as an institution, provide research on issues, assist with budgeting, etc.

Question 15

What qualifications must be met to become president?

Answer 15

Natural born citizen, 35 years old, resident of the US for at least 14 years.

Question 16

President acts as chief executive and commander in chief, what do these responsibilities entail?

Answer 16

Chief executive, head of the executive branch, enforces law and federal court decisions. Commander in chief, leads the armed forces.

Question 17

President acts as chief of state and chief legislator, what do these responsibilities entail?

Answer 17

Chief of state, performs certain ceremonial roles. Chief legislator, proposes legislative program, suggests budget to congress, can veto bills passed by congress.

Question 18

President acts as political party leader and chief diplomat, what do these responsibilities entail?

Answer 18

Political party leader, heads his political party, makes political appointments, helps other party members in elections. Chief diplomat, direct US foreign policy, most important representative to foreign countries.