z: ch 12 final

Question 1

the house of representatives (lower court)

Answer 1

• 435 members—> based on states population
• 2 year term in office—> focus on immediate agenda
• initiated all revenue bills, influential on budget

Question 2

house rules committee

Answer 2

• limits time on debate
• led by speaker of the house—elected by members.
• party leadership (majority/minority leaders, whips) have more power in the House than they do in the senate

Question 3

the senate (the upper house)

Answer 3

• 100 members (2 per state)
• 1/3 re-elect every 2 years
• 6 year terms of office—> focus on long term
• gives consent on pres. nominations, more influential on foreign affairs and ratified treaties
• unlimited debates (filibuster)—> ended by cloture
• majority leader must work with minority leader to establish rules for floor debate

Question 4

the committee and subcommittee

Answer 4

they control the congressional agenda and guide legislation from introduction of the bill all the way to the president

Question 5

four types of committees

Answer 5

1. standing
2. joint
3. conference
4. select

Question 6

how a bill becomes a law

Answer 6

citizens talk to representatives>reps write a bill and intros it to congress> goes to capitol hill> goes to committee> congressmen debate> house votes> senate votes> president signs> becomes LAW.

Question 7

oversight

Answer 7

congress ability to oversee and investigates the 2 other branches and other agencies
ex: hilary clinton testifying in front of congress.

Question 8

power of the purse

Answer 8

rested in congress as laid down in the constitution (art. 1)
—> the influence that legislature have over public policy because of their power to vote spending for public purposes

Question 9

5 influences of representative votes

Answer 9

1. political party (affiliation)
2. the president
3. organizations
4. interest groups
5. constituents and staff colleagues