Unit 4: Legislative Branch Flashcards
What is the most basic function of Congress?
They brainstorm ways to solve problems in the government and country
True/False
Every level of federalism has a Legislative Branch!
TRUE
When do the terms of Congress start?
12 noon on Jan 3rd, odd # years, 2 years
What is a quorum in each house of Congress?
A majority, more than 1/2, a session
House: 218
Senate: 51
When are the elections for Congress?
In November the months before
Can you cancel or stop sessions of Congress?
NOPE
How many total members in each house?
100 Senate
435 House
How are congressional district boundaries drawn?
Gerrymandering!!
How many districts in Colorado? Are they even (geographically)?
- and no!
What can gerrymandering be used for?
Help or hurt a particular group of voters, particularly minorities. Commonly put all the major cities in one district… the Black vote.
Who are Colorado’s Senators?
John Hickenlooper (D, junior senator)
Micheal Bennet (D)
How many terms can you serve as a Senator?
As many as you want!
Which house has more power?
THE SENATE
Which house is more neutral/less partisan?
the senate, as they represent a whole state, not just one district
What does a trustee do?
“trust me! I’ll do what I say!”
What does an Agent of Electorate do?
whatever gets them reelected!! changing beliefs, etc
What does a Partisan do?
only do things based on the beliefs of their political party, not their actual values
What is a Politico?
all of the above, lie, cheat, steal, do anything to get reelected
What compensations do Congressmen get?
Staff, paychecks, franking priveleges, benefits, pension, arrest immunity
How does Congress get its powers?
THE CONSTITUTION: expressed, implied, and inherent, but ONLY FROM CONSTITUTION
what does a strict constructionist believe?
Government is best that governs the LEAST. By the letter of the Constitution
who started the strict constructionists?
Thomas Jefferson
what does a liberal constructionist believe?
Congress has lots more implied powers, lots of government involvement. Uses necessary and proper clause LOTS!
who started the liberal constructionists?
Alexander Hamilton
what percent of taxes are created by Congressional legislation?
90%
T/F: Congress has limits on taxing (not helping or hurting a particular group/business) and this is coming under scrutiny due to bills like sugar tax, exercise tax…
True (duh)
T/F: the rich aren’t paying enough taxes
FALSE ! !
the rich pay most of our national share of taxes
if the rich pay their taxes, why do we have problems with taxes?
many top COMPANIES pay 0$ in taxes (AMAZON!)
why is national debt climbing higher?
our government is increasingly investing in PEOPLE, who don’t get us returns, giving away money
what is our national debt? what’s it doing?
public debt has been climbing thanks to the gov investing in people who don’t return money
who has the power to borrow money on the credit of the USA?
Congress
what is the Commerce Clause?
gives Congress the power to regulate commerce between states
What is collusion and price fixing?
when all makers of a certain product, such as diapers, all raise their prices, getting more expensive but eliminating competition. ILLEGAL
who creates bankruptcy laws?
Congress, uniform bankruptcy laws for all 50 states
what is congress’ impact on weights and measures
HUGE IMPACT!!! they make sure all measuring tools, gas dispensers, weights, etc. are calibrated perfectly. ANYTHING THAT WEIGHS/MEASURES AND MAKES MONEY MUST BE CERTIFIED
who controls patents and copyrights?
Congress
Can Congress claim eminent domain?
YES! for building St. Louis arch, etc
what gives Congress implied powers?
Necessary and Proper Clause
is it slow or fast for congress to create legislation?is this intentional?
SLOW, lots of procedures. Tries to get away from AD-HOC
what are the differences between the first House and Senate conventions?
House is SLOW, lots of filling of positions and voting
Senate moves FAST, designed to be stable year after year
what is the State of the Union address?
when the President of the USA addrsses Congress and gives them “goals of the term” basically
what is the seniority rule? is it in the House?
Senior Senators get the most important jobs. Not in House as much
what types of committees are there?
Standing Committees: always needed
Select Committees: temporary
Joint Committees: both House and Senate
what is the House Rules Committee?
it takes all the legislation ideas and input and sorts the best 1% of ideas, only pursuing legislation that is a good use of time
what percent of Bills and Resolutions actually become law?
5%
what are the two types of congressional bills?
public: federal speed limit, tax cut
private: car manufacturing. MOST BILLS
what are Congressional Resolutions?
WHO CARES? they’re not law, not signifigant, basically a tweet
how is it different for a bill coming from the House than the Senate?
the Senate is SIMPLER. there’s also no limits on time, while each Representative in House only has 5 minutes
how can a veto be overridden?
by 2/3 of each house
