unit something???? branches n stuff Flashcards
Bicameral legislature
A bicameral system is a government style with two separate divisions within the legislative branch of government.
Congress
The legislative branch of the U.S. government is called Congress. Congress has two parts, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
House of Representatives
As per the Constitution, the U.S. House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws. The House is one of Congress’s two chambers (the other is the U.S. Senate), and part of the federal government’s legislative branch. They represent the people, so people elect them.
Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the United States Congress, which is a small group of elected people who decide the laws of the country. Every U.S. state elects two people to represent them in the US Senate. These people are called senators.
Gerrymandering
To manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.
Majority-minority district
A majority-minority district is a district in which a racial minority group or groups comprise a majority of the district’s total population. (designed to make it easier for citizens of a racial or ethnic minority to elect representatives)
Baker v. Carr
This case resulted in the decision that facilitated the development of the “one person, one vote” doctrine and enabled federal courts to weigh in on legislative redistricting. (The Court held that that redistricting qualifies as a justiciable question, thus enabling federal courts to hear redistricting cases)
Shaw v. Reno
Five white voters alleged racial discrimination against a North Carolina legislative district map with a majority-minority district in an odd shape, arguing it was drawn for the sole purpose of electing black representatives.
The justices decided that using racial reasons for redistricting is unconstitutional. Since Georgia’s General Assembly used “race for its own sake and not other districting principles,” their actions were rendered unconstitutional.
Safe district
A safe district is one where the margin is at least 60 percent of the vote. The percentage of the House districts that are considered safe is almost 90 percent. About 50 percent of Senate districts are considered safe. (they have either blue or red secured votes)
-districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55% or more.
Marginal district
Districts in which candidates elected to the HOR win in close electrons, typically by less than 55% of the vote. (close elections)
Committees
Committees are groups of Members appointed to investigate, debate, and report on legislation.
Filibuster
Action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, or other debatable question.
Cloture
3/5 vote to stop the person who is already talking for a long time (overriding a filibuster)
Congressional behavior
When a representative acts on the wills and wishes of their constituency it is considered the delegate model .
Trustee
They take their constituents views into account, but they vote how they personally think is best.
Delegate
They vote how their constituents want them to regardless of their personal believes.
Politico
Sometimes act in their own judgement, sometimes in the constituents beliefs. It is both delegate and trustees.
Partisan
Votes based off of party
Lawmaking process
The process for how a bill is made:
First, a Representative sponsors a bill.
-The bill is then assigned to a committee for study.
-If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended.
-If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate.
-In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on.
-If the Senate makes changes, the bill must return to the House for concurrence.
-The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval.
-The President then has 10 days to veto the final bill or sign it into law.
