Political Science Test-2 Flashcards
The Legislative Branch
- Consist of House & Senate
- House is based on Population( 2 years)
- Senate, 2 per state. (6 years) By popular vote.
- Powers given by Article I.
Legislative Branch Powers
- Declare War
- Enact Legislation
- Oversight of Executive Branch( limits presidential Powers)
- Federal Investigation
Vice president works for which chamber?
Senate.
California Senate
- used to be 8. Now 3 terms, 12 years.
- 40 members
- Democratic party majority
Representation is?
Strongly Geographic.?
Descriptive Representation
When a member of Congress shares the characteristics: race, religion, gender and ethnicity. etc..
Substantive Representation
When a member of Congress represents constituents’ interest and policy concerns.
Types of Substantive Representation 1.
- trustee: represents constituents’ interest while taking into account national, collective, and moral concerns. (interested about being responsible)
Second Type of Substantive Representation
- delegate: a member of Congress who loyally represents constituents direct interest. ( interested in responsiveness)
Redistricting
Task of State Legislatures to ensure that districts are equal in population. (happens every 10 years)
Apportionment
the process of assigning the 435 seats in the House to the states based on increase or decrease of population.
Gerrymandering
attempts to use the redistricting process for political advantage.
Types of Gerrymander
- partisan
- incumbent (
- racial
- candidate (individual, prominently state legislators.
Gridlock
An inability to enact legislation because of partisan conflicts within Congress or between Congress and president.
Supreme Court on Redistricting.
- Equal population size. & no gerrymandering
2. 1 person 1 vote
Voting Right Act 1965
- Takes down racial gerrymanders. and redistricting and other changes had to be approved by fed. govt.
- send federal Marshalls down to the south to allow blacks to vote.
- Majority Party in the House
1. Majority Party in Senate
- Republicans
2. Democrats
- Speaker of house
2. Vice president
- in House of representative (chosen by majority party)
2. Senate
Conference Committee
reconciles House and Senate versions of a bill.
Standing committee
- where most of work takes place.
- they are permanent.
- draft legislation & oversee the implementation of the laws they pass*.
- most important committee.
Select Committee
- created to address a specific topic.
CA assembly
- 80 seats
- 6 terms, 12 years.
- Democrat majority
Initiative Process( Citizens led Lawmaking) process.
- Idea, from people.
- draft, and collect signatures (5% of last)
- put on a ballot (time limit150 dys). appears on ballot
- if voters approve 50% +1, becomes law.
- people with money often run campaigns for their benefit.
Process of Lawmaking (U.S)
- Member of congress sponsors a bill. (citizens can not).
- Member introduces bill in either chamber.
- committe discusses bill. if it passes (50% + 1) it makes it to the floor (any chamber)
- in floor( house has limit and may amend, senate does not but may end a filibuster with cloture by 60 votes)
Process of Lawmaking (U.S) Part 2
- after vote on the floor and both chambers pass a bill.
- it may go to a conference committee to remodel bill.
7 then if passed. it goes back to floor for vote. - goes to president for signature.
9 president may veto. it requires 2/3 of both chambers for bill to become law.
Bad Economic Policy indicators
- unemployment
- inflation
- GDP
Tools for economy
fiscal policy- increase G to increase C.
- put more money in pockets of consumers
- ex. bush rebate 07
- obama’s stimulus plan. 787B.
Tools for economy
- increasing I, supply to inverst.
- decrease taxes on investments, then more supply, thus more jobs.
- often calls for govt spending cuts.
- bush capital gains tax. 22%-15%
