Unit 2: Congress

Question 1

Filibuster
Cloture
Logrolling

Answer 1

delay the passing/voting of a bill by prolonging a debate in committee hearings
end filibuster w/ 3/5 vote
trading votes to gain support for a bill

Question 2

Standing Committee (best for?)
Select Committee
permanent or temporary?

Answer 2

permanent, focused on specific topic and led by senior mem. of majority party
legislating
temporary and focused on particular studies/investigations

Question 3

Joint Committee (unites?)
Conference Committee
permanent or temporary?

Answer 3

permanent, made up of members from both houses of legislature (senate+THOR)
temporary, discusses differences of a bill among 2 houses to reach compromise

Question 4

Pork Barrel Legislation
Rider
Gerrymandering

Answer 4

fed. funding guaranteed for congresswoman/man specific district
additional bills added to main bill
redrawing district lines to gain party advantage

Question 5

Discretionary Spending
Mandatory Spending

Answer 5

spending decided by a committee
spending required by law

Question 6

THOR:amnt. of people
Constitutional Convention influence; age requirement
citizenship requirement
voters represented (district/state); term length
house is large which means?

Answer 6

435
Virginia plan
25 yrs. old
7 yrs. as citizen
district
2 yrs.
more work accomplished in committees than on the floor

Question 7

Senate: amnt. of people
Constitutional Convention influence; age requirement
citizenship requirement
voters represented (district/state); term length

Answer 7

100
New Jersey plan
30 yrs. old
9 yrs. as citizen
state
6 yrs.

Question 8

Powers of THOR:
Debate structure
Specialties
Focus

Answer 8

structured
start tax/revenue bills in THOR
more specialized committees

Question 9

Powers of senate:
Debate structure
Specialties
Focus

Answer 9

not structured
foreign affairs/treaties
less specialized committees

Question 10

How are committees an example of compromise in Congress? Which committees help facilitate this?

Answer 10

discusses differences within the bill and reach a compromise
conference, joint (work together)

Question 11

What are the differences between discretionary spending and mandatory spending? What is the majority of the Congressional budget spent on - discretionary or mandatory spending?

Answer 11

decided by the committee vs. required by law
mandatory spending (reps. 2/3 of federal budget)

Question 12

Baker v. Carr
Constitutional question:
Verdict:
Impact:

Answer 12

Does the Supreme Court have jurisdiction over questions concerning redistricting?
yes not a political question so courts can make a judgement
“1man, 1vote” sets precedent for states to redistrict

Question 13

Shaw v. Reno
Constitutional question:
Constitutional question:
Verdict:
Verdict:
Impact:

Answer 13

Does a congressional district, designed to give black pop. majority vote, violate the 14th amend. equal protection clause?
Should race be a factor when redistricting?
Yes: votes must be weighed equally
Yes but not the only factor
need stronger grounds to redistrict other than race or else it will be under strict scrutiny

Question 14

Purpose of the following Congressional Committees:
Rules (2)
Ways & Means (3) where?
Judiciary (2)

Answer 14

rules and how bills are presented to congress
writing tax, revenue, and tariff bills (only in THOR)
overseas dept. of justice, evaluates judicial nominations