Unit c additional Congress vocab terms

Question 1

What is the house ways and means committee in charge of?

Answer 1

This is one of the most powerful committees in the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s responsible for all things related to taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures.

Question 2

What is the delegate model, what model of democracy does it represent, and when is it often used?

Answer 2

• usually on domestic issues, such as spending or local/yregional concerns
• elected representatives act directly on the wishes of their constituents, which aligns with the idea of participatory democracy where citizens have a direct role in decision-making
  -when representatives vote according to consitutent’s views

Question 3

Participatory democracy

Answer 3

citizens have the power to make decisions directly, rather than through elected representatives.

Question 4

What is the house rules committee in charge of ?

Answer 4

-This hosue rules committee is a powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the house floor, the debate duration, and whether amendemtns will be allowed.

Question 5

what is the committee of the whole and why is it important?

Answer 5

-Consists of all members of the house but is governed by different rules so not everyone has to show up. Makes it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation.

Question 6

What is a hold and where is it used?

Answer 6

• a delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects a bill.The Majority Leader decides how to respond—whether to negotiate with the senator who placed the hold, try to gather enough votes to overcome it, or delay the bill or nomination.

Question 7

Unanimous consent agreement

Answer 7

An agreement in the sernate that setes the terms for consideration of a bill. It is proposed by the majority leader and reflects negotiations between the senators.

Question 8

What are congress’ constitutional non-legislative powers?

Answer 8

-propose amendents
-impeachment
-electoral college
-approve treaties and appointments (senate)
oversight investigations

Question 9

What are congress’ consitutional legislation powers?

Answer 9

-tax
-spend
commerce
-declare war

Question 10

How do standing committees conduct oversight? How do select committees conduct oversight?

Answer 10

-standing committees monitor the actions of relevant executive branch departments and agencies, ensure that they have budget and staffing to achieve their goals and advocate for agencies. I the senate, senators play a lead role in hearings

Question 11

How does an impeachment work in congress?

Answer 11

-Introduction: Impeachment starts in the House. Any member can introduce an impeachment resolution, or the House can start an investigation. Then the house votes to impeach, if a simple majority is reached, then the official has a hearing in the senate. It takes a two-thirds majority (67 out of 100 senators) to convict.

Question 12

What happened in baker v carr and why is it significant?

Answer 12

Baker v. Carr (1962)
-tennessse citizens argued that a low reapportioning the state’s general assembly seats according to the state census was ignored. this didn’t reflect economic growth and populations shifts from rural to urban areas. The conclusion was that the supreme court had jurisdiction over legislative reapportionment, because it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment..
it is significant because it set the one person one vote principle and opened the door for courts to address and correct issues of political representation

Question 13

Shaw v. reno

Answer 13

-shaw v reno happened in 1993
-North Carolina created a bizarrely shaped congressional district to ensure the election of an African American representative. Some residents challenged this, arguing that the district was drawn solely based on race.

The Decision: The Supreme Court ruled that while race can be considered in redistricting, it cannot be the predominant factor. The Court said that districts drawn with race as the main criterion could violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

-argued that solely racial gerrymandering was unconstitutional and reinforced the equal protection clause.

Question 14

Office of managment and Budget

Answer 14

the executive branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities

Question 15

entitlement programs and why are they improtant

Answer 15

-they are important because they constitute most of yearly federal spending
-they are programs that provide benefits to those who qualify under the law, regardless of income. these include medicare, social security
-it is form of mandatory spending

Question 16

mandatory spending and what is an example

Answer 16

spending required by existing laws that is lock in the budget
-entitlement programs

Question 17

what is discretionary spending and what is an example

Answer 17

-defense spending

Question 18

budget surplus

Answer 18

the amount of money remaining when the government takes in more than it spends

Question 19

budget deficit

Answer 19

the annual shortfall when a government takes in less money than it spend

Question 20

what is the politico role

Answer 20

representation where members of congress balance their choices with the interest of their constituents and parties in making decisions
-a combination of the delegate and trustee roles

Question 21

gridlock and what is it in many cases caused by

Answer 21

a slowdown or halt in congress’ ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship
-divided government is one of its main causes

Question 22

divided government

Answer 22

control of the presidency and one or more chambers of congress is split between 2 major parties

Question 23

what is a lame duck period?

Answer 23

period at the end of a presidential term when congress may block presidential initiatives the time between an election and the inauguration of a new official. During this time, the outgoing official, often called a “lame duck,” has less influence and power because their successor has already been elected. This period can still involve important decisions and actions, but the outgoing official’s ability to push through major initiatives is usually limited.

Question 24

treaty

Answer 24

an agreement with a foreign government that is negotiated by the president and requires a 2/3 vvote in the senate to ratify.

Question 25

what is the “honeymoon” period

Answer 25

he “honeymoon” period refers to the early days of a president’s term when they generally enjoy higher approval ratings and more goodwill from Congress and the public. During this time, presidents often have an easier time getting their agenda passed because everyone is still feeling optimistic and cooperative

Question 26

who are the white hosue staff and what do they do

Answer 26

The White House staff are the folks who work directly for the President, helping to manage the day-to-day operations of the executive branch. Here are some key players:

Chief of Staff: This person is like the President’s right-hand man or woman, managing the staff and controlling access to the President.