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Paper 3 content > The US Congress > Flashcards

The US Congress Flashcards

1
Q

what is the bicameral structure of congress?

A

congress is made up of 2 houses , the House of Representatives and Senate

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2
Q

how is the House of Representatives structured?

A

the states are represented proportionally, there are 435 members and each state has a certain number of representatives proportional to its population

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3
Q

how is the senate structured?

A

the senate is represented equally, with 2 senators per state, meaning there are 100 senators in total

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4
Q

how does the election cycle work?

A

the whole house is re elected every 2 years, senators serve 6 years while 1/3 of senate is up for re election every 2 years. the president is re elected every 4 years

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5
Q

what are mid term elections?

A

elections for the US congress that take place in the middle of a full presidential term

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6
Q

what requirements do you need to meet to become a member of congress?

A

must be at least 25 years old and must have been a US citizen for 7 years

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7
Q

what was unable to be passed by Congress for several months in 2020?

A

Coronavirus Relief bill

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8
Q

why was the coronavirus relief bill held up?

A

Negotiations in the senate were too slow

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9
Q

what bill did not get through congress for gun reform in 2009

A

The Background Check Expansion Act which was filibustered by the senate

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10
Q

what is an example of congress being bi-partisan?

A

The Cares Act 2020 which was a bi-partisanship economic stimulus package.

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11
Q

what was the support for the Cares Act

A

419-6 in the House and 96-0 in the Senate

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12
Q

another example of congress being able to act in a bi-partisan manner

A

Support for Ukraine in which they provided $13.6 billion in aid

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13
Q

What constitutional power is granted to Congress which directly allows them to check the executive?

A

impeachment

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14
Q

How many times was Trump impeached by the House of Representatives?

A

twice

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15
Q

what can congress overturn?

A

veto

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16
Q

example of Obamas veto being overturned

concurrent powers of Congress

A

In 2011 Obama tried to give victims of 9/11 the right to sue Saudi Arabia

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17
Q

example of Trumps veto being overturned

concurrent powers of Congress

A

The National Offence Authorisation Act that included provisions to rename military bases

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18
Q

What constitutional power is granted to Congress for foreign policy?

A

power to declare war

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19
Q

How has Congress granted itself further tools within foreign policy?

concurrent powers of Congress

A

The War Powers Act 1973- requests the president to inform Congress within 60 days of military action

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20
Q

How has Congress pulling funds through the power of the purse limited Presidents in foreign policy?

concurrent powers of Congress

A

pulled funding from the Iraq war

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21
Q

example of the power of the purse being overused by Congress

A

A united government makes it easy for the party in power to spend money as seen with Biden’s American Rescue Plan of which many blamed for stoking inflation

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22
Q

How was the power of the purse abused by Congress in 2018?

A

They shut down the government for 35 days in protest against Trump’s national border wall

23
Q

How has high approval ratings of President’s prevented Congress from using their ability to reject, delay or amend bills?

A

George Bush passed the Patriot Act 28 days after the events of 9/11 boasting an approval rating of over 90% and was described as being wrapped in a flag-granted him extensive powers in combating terrorism

24
Q

What did the Senate refuse to accept regarding voting rights?

A

They refused to accept Biden’s Voting Rights legislation in 2022 despite numerous state laws which appears to be promoting voter suppression-republican filibuster

25
Q

example of Senate appointments and investigations being overused

A

Trump appointed Scott Pruitt as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency despite being a climate-change denier

26
Q

How did the Senate abuse their power with regards to Supreme Court nominations?

A

Refused to hear Merrick Garland, Obama’s SC nominee in 2016, as they did not wish to give the Democrats an election victory despite it being a common consensus of his suitability to the role

27
Q

when was the last time Congress declared war?

A

1942

28
Q

What does the Senate make use of to investigate the Executive?

concurrent powers of Congress

A

standing committees

29
Q

what are standing committees?

A
  • exist in both houses
  • they are permanent, policy specialist committees
30
Q

What is an example of Trump being investigated?

concurrent powers of Congress

A

The Senate Intelligence Committee in 2016 held investigations into Trump’s ties between Russia and the meddling of the US elections

31
Q

what are set up to investigate specific issues?

A

select committees

32
Q

select committee set up for Trump

concurrent powers of Congress

A

The House Select Committee following the capital riots subpoena former trump aids to give testimony about the former president role in the incity the attack. The refused to appear, and were found in content of Congress therefore facing prison time

33
Q

What circumstance can benefit Congress to be more effective in oversight?

A

divided government

34
Q

how did a divided government negatively impact Biden?

A

Faced far greater scrutiny over his withdrawal of Afghan troops

35
Q

how did a united government negatively impact Trump?

A

Was unable to repeal Obamacare on 2 occasions

36
Q

how did Bush’s low approval rating negatively impact him?

A

Was unable to convince Congress to authorise spending in Iraq

37
Q

trumps approval rating when he tried to appeal Obamacare

A

40%

38
Q

how did a united government benefit Biden

A

Was able to comfortably steer through the American Rescue Plan Act despite concerns over the high contribution of tax

39
Q

percentage of non-white lawmakers in the HOR

A

55%

40
Q

What has happened with each Congress since 112th?

A

they have become more divese

41
Q

How many women were elected in the 118th Congress?

A

28% which is an all time high

42
Q

representation in congress (116th compared to 117th)- women, black americans and LGBTQ+

A

women: 116th (24%) 117th (24%)

black americans: 116th (10.4%) 117th (3%)

LGBTQ+: 116th (2%) 117th (2%)

43
Q

creating legislation

concurrent powers of Congress

A

president has to ask Congress to pass legislation, e.g
Obama: Obamacare 2010
Trump: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017

44
Q

filibuster

A

talking for a long period of time to prevent a bill from passing

44
Q

example of a successful filibuster

A

Chris Murphy (15 hours)

secured promises of votes on gun measures

45
Q

executive powers of the House

A
  • power of the purse
  • impeachment
  • elect the president if the Electoral College is deadlocked and no candidate wins a majority, the House can decide the president
46
Q

HoR exercising power of deadlock

A

if E.C deadlocked the House elects President happened twice in 1800 and 1824

47
Q

e.g of senate confirming SC appointment

A

Senate confirmed Trump appointment of Amy Coney Barret to supreme court

48
Q

why is the Senate seen to be more powerful than the HoR?

A
  • Senators represent a whole state, House members only rep a congressional district
  • Senators serve a six year term, H members only two
  • Senators are one of 100, H members one of 435
  • Good launchpad for presidency - Truman, Kennedy,Nixon, and Obama all Senators
49
Q

how would a divided government enhance the power of the 2 chambers?

A
  • enhance checks and balances on exec by the party controlling the chamber opposing the president
  • congressional leadership becomes crucial such as the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader, play a more central role
  • Increased Importance of Bipartisanship so moderate members from both parties may gain more influence as they work towards consensus.
50
Q

pork barrel politics

A

funds provided for projects in a member of congress’ state or district to encourage voters to re elect them

51
Q

example of pork barrel politics in use

A

arts programme in washington 2019: $2.8million dollars

52
Q

what is a congressional caucus?

A

group of members of Congress that come together to promote interests

53
Q

2 examples of congressional caucuses

A

Blue Dog Coalition - very conservative democrats

Congressional hispanic caucus - promote interests of hispanic and latino communities

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