Quiz III Flashcards
What is the problem with checks and balances?
“Separation of powers” suggests that each branch has exclusive powers with specific responsibilities, but that’s not true–more of a blending.
What are concurrent powers?
They suggest that it’s difficult for one branch to function without another (like gears on a watch working together).
Which branch is the primary policy institution?
Congress
What are the Congressional Functions?
1) Policy making/representation
2) Constituent service
3) Oversight
What are the two basic roles in policy making/representation?
1) Delegate
2) Trustee
What are delegates?
They’re more pronounced in the House than the Senate, and their representative decisions more thoroughly reflect the views of their states/districts.
What are trustees?
Citizens of a jurisdiction who invest trust in the representative under the expectation that they’ll use their best judgment.
Why are House members more often delegates? And Senate members trustees?
House members must be in tune with public opinion because of their two year term. Senators have more freedom with six years–more time to gain back public favor.
What is constituent service?
Case work that’s done by House and Senate members regardless of party affiliation, and allows them to build relationships with the voters.
What is pork barrel?
Federal money brought to the state/district in the form of grants, projects, etc.
What is Oversight?
When congress watches over the executive branch.
Why is Oversight a thing?
Congress has to maintain accountability in order to be re-elected, but officials in the executive branch are appointed by the president and don’t have to worry about re-election. This keeps them in check.
What are congressional hearings?
Mostly mundane ones to reinforce the monitoring function. Only scandals are well-publicized (like NSA, IRS, and Benghazi.)
What is the General Accountability Office (GAO)?
Reports that generally trigger hearings, regularly read by congressional staff.
Why are the Senate and House of Representatives significantly different?
The House is closer to the people and must be re-elected every two years. The Senate starts equal to each other because it’s a smaller body, and they must be knowledgeable on foreign policy.
What are the requirements for the House of Representatives?
Age: 25
Citizenship: 7 years
Resident of respective state/district
What are the requirements for the Senate?
Age: 30
Citizenship: 9 years
Resident of respective state/district
What is descriptive representation?
Belief that representatives should be able to represent the whole population, not just a narrow percentage of it.
What is substantive representation?
It’s more important that interests are being represented than who is doing the representing.
What are some characteristics of the House of Representatives?
1) Must initiate all revenue bills; must pass all articles of impeachment
2) 435 members
3) Two year term
4) Usually smaller (than the Senate) constituencies
5) More centralized power; stronger leadership
6) Less prestige (than the Senate)
7) More influential on budget
8) Small turnover
9) Seniority determines power
10) Limited debate
What are some characteristics of the Senate?
1) Must give “advice and consent” to many presidential nominations; must approve treaties; trues impeachment officials
2) 100 members
3) Six year term
4) Usually larger (than the House) constituencies
5) Less centralized; weaker leadership
6) More prestige (than the House)
7) More influential on foreign affairs
8) Moderate turnover
9) Seniority doesn’t determine power – collegiality
10) Unlimited debate
What are incumbents?
Those already holding office. In congressional elections, incumbents usually win.
What is case work?
Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals, particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get.
What is bicameral legislature?
A legislature divided into two houses. The U.S. Congress and all state legislatures except Nebraska’s are bicameral.
What is the House Rules Committee?
The committee in the House of Representatives that reviews most bills coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.
What is a filibuster?
A strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation use their right to unlimited debate to prevent the Senate from ever voting on a bill. Sixty members present and voting can halt a filibuster.
What is (the role) of the Speaker of the House?
An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.
What is (the role) of the majority leader?
The principal partisan ally of the Speaker of the House, or the party’s manager in the Senate. The majority leader is responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and rounding up votes in behalf of the party’s legislative positions.
What are whips?
Party leaders who work with the majority leader or minority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party.
What is (the role) of the minority leader?
The principal leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate.
What are standing committees?
Separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas.
What are joint committees?
Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses.
What are conference committees?
Congressional committees formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each house to iron out the differences and bring back a bill.
What are select committees?
Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as the Watergate Investigation.
What is legislative oversight?
Congress’s monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings.
What are committee chairs?
The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.
What is the seniority system?
A simple rule for picking committee chairs, in effect until the 1970s. The member who had served on the committee the longest and whose party controlled the chamber became chair, regardless of party loyalty, mental state, or competence.
What is a caucus?
A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic. Many are composed of members from both parties and from both houses.
What is a bill?
A proposed law, drafted in legal language. Anyone can draft a bill, but only a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can formally submit a bill for consideration.
