AP Gov Chapter 12

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

"entitlement costs"; does the research for congressmen in the Library of Congress

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

"wonky district" due to racial gerrymandering to try to get a "fair" district for more African American representation; Supreme Court considered it discrimination

Enumerated Powers of Congress

*Judicial Powers*: establish the federal court system, punish counterfeiters, punish illegal acts on the high seas *Economic Powers*: impose taxes, establish import tariffs, borrow money, regulate interstate commerce, coin and print money, determine the value of currency *National Security Powers*: declare war, raise and regulate national armed forces, call up and regulate state national guard, suppress insurrections, repel invasions *Regulatory Powers*: establish standards of weights and measures, regulate copyrights and patents *Administrative Powers*: establish procedures for naturalizing citizens, establish post offices, govern the District of Columbia *Limit the Power of the President*

veto gates

-The hurdles that a bill must go through -This makes it easy for Congress to kill bills -This is why it is difficult for most bills to pass -Purely procedural so they aren't covered by the media -Aren't voted on or aren't debated

How many members are there of the House Rules Committee?

13 then, but 14 now

How many standing committees are in the House of Representatives?

19

After making it through the House, the bill heads for the Senate. Where does it end up in the Senate?

A Senate Standing Committee

majority-minority district

A legislative district composed of a majority of a given minority community—say, African Americans—the intent of which is to make it likely that a member of that minority will be elected to Congress.

politico model

A model of political representation that combines elements of the trustee and delegate models and that seeks to describe how elected representatives actually operate in practice

instructed delegate model

A model of representation in which legislators, as representatives of their constituents, should vote in keeping with the constituents' views, even if those views contradict the legislator's personal views.

standing committee

A permanent committee in Congress, with a defined legislative jurisdiction. The House has 19, the Senate has 16

Congressional Record

A written record of everything said in both houses of Congress; and of all actions taken by Congress

How does a bill get out of the Senate and where does it go next?

After it has been given unanimous consent by the Senate, it goes to the President for their signature

Which of the following best reflects the holding in the case Baker v. Carr (1962) ?

Created a one-person, one-vote standard for reviewing congressional districts.

If a bill is having a hard time making it through the process what other ways can be tried to help it become a law?

It can be amended, have leaders gather votes to support it/persuade others, wait until the next elections, or get it tacked onto another group of policies (porkbarreling)

How is the committee process in the Senate like that in the House?

It is discussed, revised, amended, and voted on in order to be sent to the full Senate

What does the House Rules Committee do?

It reviews all major pieces of legislation that would come to the House floor and decides when it will be read/debated/voted on and gathers points of order against it

pork barrel

Legislators' appropriations of funds for special projects located within their congressional districts.

What are the three options that Congress has for a bill that the President vetoed?

Let the bill die, revise and try again, or vote to override

confirmation hearings

Meetings held by the Senate to gather information about candidates for federal office nominated by the president of the United States; meetings on presidential appointees to oversee executive departments or governmental agencies.

Open Rule/Closed Rule

Open Rule is a set of regulations for debate on the floor of the House of Representatives which permits general debate and allows members to offer amendments. (makes it harder to be passed) A closed rule is a procedural maneuver that prohibits any amendments to bills up for a vote on the House floor, unless they are recommended by the committee reporting the bill.

Casework

Personal work by a member of Congress on behalf of a constituent or group of constituents, typically aimed at getting the government to do something the constituent wants done.

vice president

President of the Senate, but only votes when the Senate is equally divided (rarely happens or even presides over the Senate)

How many votes (in both chambers) does it take to override a veto?

Senate - 67 House of Representatives - 290

Delegation

The assignment of new or additional responsibilities to an agency -shift in power (discretion can vary a lot); or act in the interests of constituents or as a trustee. Contingent on time, place, context, and national mood (can be redacted if necessary). Can be delegated to the executive branch for practical (it has to and for their expertise), historical (progressive era/New Deal), and political reasons (getting blamed for a bad outcome can cost you an election)

How does a bill get out of Committee and move to the next step?

The bill has to be amended and revised in order to gain a consensus of people that see the importance of it

joint referral

The practice, abolished in the 104th Congress, by which a bill could be referred to two different House committees for consideration. Now bills may be sequentially referred to a second committee

oversight

The process by which the legislative branch "checks" the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress has passed are being administered in keeping with legislators' intent. In order to carry out this function, Congress uses Congressional hearings, confirmation hearings, investigations, and budgetary appropriations

How is the Senate process different from that in the House of Representatives?

There are less members, so it requires unanimous consent to discuss a bill

What did you learn about lobbyists from Senator Feinstein?

They can be either very productive or very destructive

What happens in the full House of Representatives that makes it difficult for a bill to survive?

They don't always agree to a bill. Each side rallies for votes to either support it or defeat it

What happens in Committee that makes it hard for a bill to survive?

They need to vote on it, and it can be hard to gather enough support for it

conference committee

a bicameral, bipartisan committee composed of legislators whose job is to reconcile two versions of a bill (if both the House and Senate pass bills on the same topic but with differences between the bills - the compromise bill then goes back to the chambers for another vote)

joint committee

a committee composed of members of both chambers of Congress (4 - one supervises the administration of the Library of Congress)

report

a legislative committee's explanation to the full chamber of a bill and its intent

proposal power

any member of congress can propose a bill (then goes to a committee)

A "cloture motion" passed in the Senate does which of the following? a. returns a bill to committee b. cuts off debate on a bill c. criticizes a senator guilty of improprieties d. removes a President who has been impeached by the House e. brings a bill directly to a vote without formal committee approval

b. cuts off debate on a bill

A congressional committee created to consider specific policy issues or address a specific concern is called: a. a standing committee b. a subcommittee c. a select committee d. a joint committee

c. a select committee

Which of the following enumerated powers would permit Congress to stimulate the economy by hiring unemployed citizens? a. the power to create immigration policies b. the power to regulate interstate commerce c. the power to pass a federal budget d. the power of legislative oversight

c. the power to pass a federal budget

Which of the following committees of the House of Representatives sets the conditions for debate and amendment of most legislation? a. Ways and means b. Appropriations c. Judiciary d. Rules e. Government operations

d. Rules

Which of the following identifies the formal procedure for ending a filibuster? a. oversight b. logrolling c. pocket veto d. cloture e. discharge petition

d. cloture

Redrawing congressional district boundaries within each state is called: a. earmarking b. reapportionment c. gerrymandering d. redistricting

d. redistricting

budgetary appropriations

determine funding of an executive department or a government agency

Investigations

determine whether a law or policy is being implemented the way Congress intended it to be, and inquiries into allegations of wrongdoing by government officials or bureaucrats

descriptive gerrymandering

draw the district line to benefit income or education

pro-incumbent gerrymandering

draw the district lines for a people familiar with an incumbent and their policies (popular with Baby Boomers)

partisan gerrymandering

drawing districts to support a party (most common)

racial gerrymandering

drawing districts to support a specific race (historically used)

Which of the following statements about rules of procedure in the House and Senate is correct? a. Debate by a determined minority in either chamber cannot be halted. b. The rules in each chamber are determined by the majority whip. c. The rules are specified in Article I of the Constitution. d. The rules can be changed by the President during a national emergency. e. The House operates more by formal rules, while the Senate operates more on informal understandings.

e. The House operates more by formal rules, while the Senate operates more on informal understandings.

A designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure is called a(n) ________.

earmark

congressional hearings

government officials, bureaucrats, and interest groups testify as to how a law or a policy is being implemented and examine the impact of its implementation

mandatory spending/authorization legislation

government spending on laws that have already been mandated (ex. social security, medicare)

A difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that in the House...

legislative activity on the floor is more constrained by rules

The practice in Congress whereby Representative A promises to vote for Representative B's legislation, provided that Representative B will support Representative A's legislation, is referred to as...

logrolling

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

looks at the congressional budget and analyzes the president's budget and impact; discretionary vs mandatory spending

A role in which an elected or appointed leader acts as an advocate for citizens by listening to and investigating complaints against a government agency is called a(n) __________.

ombudsperson

Rule Committee

one of the most important committees in the House, which decides the length of debate and the scope of amendments that will be allowed on a bill

agency review

part of the committee or subcommittee process of considering a bill, in which committee members ask executive agencies that would administer the law for written comments on the measure

discretionary spending/appropriation legislation

payment of programs that the president and congress must approve on each year

Reapportionment

reallocation of seats in the House of Representatives to each state based on changes in the state's population since the last census (every 10 years)

Redistricting

redrawing of congressional district boundaries within each state, based on the reapportionment from the census

A legislative committee's explanation to the full chamber of a bill and its intent is called a _________.

report

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

serves as the watchdog, provides legal opinions to the legislative and executive branch (make sure they are following the intent of their Constitutional responsibilities)

hearings

sessions held by committees or subcommittees to gather information and views from experts (including interest groups, concerned citizens, and policy experts involved with the issue); great way to take a position on an issue

Gerrymandering

the drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit an incumbent, a political party, or another group; politicians choose their voters

electoral connection

the idea that congressional behavior is centrally motivated by members' desire for reelection (advertising, credit claiming, position taking)

lead committee

the primary committee considering a bill

attentive public

the segment of voters who pay careful attention to political issues

seniority system

the system in which the member with the longest continuous tenure on a standing committee is given preference when the committee chooses its chair

Senate

the upper (more prestigious) house of Congress, consisting of two representatives from each state; 100 members elected every 6 years (staggered every 2 years); broad constituency (states); more reliant on staff; power distributed more evenly; based on state representation. Gives "advice and consent", more influential on foreign affairs (ratifies treaties, confirms presidential nominees), hold impeachment trials, unlimited debates (filibuster), and unanimous consent

monetary policy

the way the government regulates and circulates money in the economy

Congressional Caucus

An association or members of Congress based on party, *same interest*, or social group such as gender or race. They work to mobilize votes (coalitions), push policies, and compel committee hearings (logrolling). No official function of the legislative caucus, but can help to coordinate efforts and provide leadership opportunities (to make lawmaking more efficient)

An accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States:

House: The Constitution's framers intended it to reflect the will of the people. Senate: The Constitution's framers designed it to represent the interests of the states

coalitions

Individuals and/or groups that have common interests and perspectives

How does the bill process begin?

It begins when someone has an idea to help fix a problem or address a need that is discussed with a member of Congress

agenda setting

The determination by Congress of which public issues the government should consider for legislation. These goals reflect the issues and positions that predominated during the electoral campaign and that congressional leaders perceive to represent the people's priorities. Often influenced by public discourse, as when constituents complain to a member of Congress about a problem that needs to be solved or when an interest group contacts a legislator about a policy its membership would like to see implemented. Often used negatively to keep policies and issues off of the agenda

committee chairs

The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house. They run committee meetings and control the flow of work in each committee. They are chosen by secret ballot, but is usually with the seniority system; have term limits

select committee

a congressional committee created to consider specific policy issues or address a specific concern beyond the jurisdiction of standing committees (temporary - limited time and purpose)

Earmarks

a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure, as a means of representing constituent interests

Majority Whip

a go-between with the majority leadership and party members in the house of representatives; keep party members together, encouraging them to vote with the party on issues and preventing them from straying off on their own positions (count votes)

minority whip

a go-between with the minority leadership whose job mirrors that of the majority whip but without the power that comes from holding a majority in the House of Representatives

nuclear option

a maneuver exercised by the presiding officer in the Senate that eliminates the possibility of filibusters by subjecting votes on certain matters to a simple majority vote for federal judicial nominations (excluding those to the US Supreme Court and appointments to the executive branch)

trustee model

a model of representation in which a member of the House or Senate follows his or her own conscience when deciding issue positions

Filibuster

a procedural move by a member of the Senate to attempt to halt passage of or change a bill, during which the senator can speak for an unlimited time on the Senate floor, leading them to talk as long as they want (delaying tactic).

Cloture

a procedural move in which a super-majority of 60 senators agrees to end a filibuster. It is initiated if 16 sign a petition, giving them only 1 hour to talk

bill

a proposed piece of legislation that must be approved by both houses in identical form. It becomes a law by following five steps: introduction (a member of the House or Senate formally proposes a bill), committee review (subgroups within the House and the Senate, composed of legislators who have expertise in the bill's subject matter, review the bill), House and Senate approval (if the bill makes it out of a committee, a majority of the members in the House and the Senate must approve it), conference committee reconciliation (the conference committee reconciles the bill when different versions have passed in the House and the Senate), and Presidential approval (if the president signs the bill it becomes law, but even after this arduous process, a presidential veto can kill the bill)

Ombudsperson

a role in which an elected or appointed leader acts as an advocate for citizens by listening to and investigating complaints against a government agency (does the casework)

pocket veto

a special presidential veto of a bill passed at the conclusion of a legislative session, whereby the president waits 10 days without signing the bill, and the bill dies (only available at the end of the congressional term)

discharge petition

a special tactic in the House of Representatives used to extract a bill from a committee to have it considered by the entire House (requires 218 signatures - majority)

Subcommittee

a subordinate committee in Congress that typically handles specific areas of a standing committee's jurisdiction. When it favors a measure, it usually takes four actions: agency review, hearings, markup, and report

Hopper

a wooden box that sits on a desk at the front of the House of Representatives, into which House members place bills they want to introduce

Refer to the diagram for the following question. Based on your knowledge and the diagram, which of the following is true regarding the leadership structure of Congress? a. The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party. b. The vice president is responsible for creating and setting the legislative agenda for the Senate c. The Speaker of the House has very little power to control members of the majority party in the House of Representatives d. The majority leaders in both chambers work to ensure that a bipartisan agenda is passed in the Congress

a. The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party.

A procedural move in which a supermajority of 60 senators agrees to end a filibuster is called: a. cloture b. unanimous consent c. a discharge petition d. senatorial courtesy

a. cloture

The process by which the legislative branch checks the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress passed are being administered in keeping with the legislature's intent is called: a. oversight b. earmarking c. gerrymandering d. agenda setting

a. oversight

A model of representation that says a member of Congress should vote for the position that best represents his or her constituents' view even if the legislator does not share those views is called: a. the instructed delegate model b. the hopper model c. the trustee model d. the pork barrel model

a. the instructed delegate model

unanimous consent

an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation; every senator needs to agree to the terms of debate (including time limits) - senators do not look favorably on objections, so they are rare

The United States Constitution says that Congress has the power to coin money. This is an example of...

an enumerated power

Reallocation of seats in the House of Representatives to each state based on changes in the state's population since the last census is called: a. logrolling b. reapportionment c. gerrymandering d. redistricting

b. reapportionment

Differences between the House and Senate do not include: a. the Senate's being more prestigious than the House. b. the Senate's being larger than the House. c. the Senate's being more reliant on staff than the House d. the Senate's have broader constituencies than the House

b. the Senate's being larger than the House.

What type of legislature is Congress called?

bicameral legislature

A proposed piece of legislation is called a ________.

bill

Which of the following scenarios is an example of the trustee model of representation? a. The NAACP leadership sends representatives to Washington to lobby for changes to the Voting Rights Act. b. Congress passes a bill allocating money to clean up nuclear waste sites after a wave of large-scale peaceful protests. c. A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt. d. A presidential candidate advocates using an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors.

c. A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a member of Congress supporting pork-barrel legislation? a. A senator from a coal-producing state voting against a job-training program for coal miners b. A member of the House voting for urban renewal in exchange for increased funding for roads c. A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state d. A member of the House Armed Services Committee marking up a bill that will increase funding for military bases

c. A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state

Which of the following is the most likely consequence of divided government? a. Reorganization of the federal bureaucracy b. Conflicts between states c. Delays in confirmation of federal court nominees d. Conflicts between national government and states e. Elimination of the seniority rule in Congress

c. Delays in confirmation of federal court nominees

Refer to the passage for the following question. I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.... It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. Which of the following scenarios illustrates Washington's concerns? a. An increasing number of voters are not turning out to vote in elections. b. Federalism can lead to different public policy outcomes between states. c. Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock. d. Members of the press fail to report on the illegal activities of certain members of the bureaucracy.

c. Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock.

Which of the following statements about gerrymandering is true? a. It has been banned by United States Supreme Court decisions beginning with Baker v. Carr. b. It was used traditionally to maintain urban control of the House of Representatives. c. It can be used by a political party to draw boundary lines to control as many districts as possible. d. It guarantees greater constituency control over elected representatives. e. It ensures liberal control of the House of Representatives.

c. It can be used by a political party to draw boundary lines to control as many districts as possible.

The system in which the member with the longest continuous tenure on a standing committee is given preference when the committee choses its chair is called: a. the spoils system b. the patronage system c. the seniority system d.the last man standing principle

c. seniority principle

Baker v. Carr (1962)

case that established "one person, one vote". this decision created guidelines for drawing up congressional districts and guaranteed a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state (equal protection clause). It also allowed the Supreme Court to rule on political issues in order to protect minority votes, but it is up to the state legislatures to figure out how to draw the lines

Which of the following is true according to the diagram? a. The Senate majority leader is as powerful as the Senate majority whip. b. The Speaker of the House, in Coordination with the House majority leader, appoints the House minority leader. c. Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate does not recognize political parties. d. Both chambers make use of a system of majority and minority whips.

d. Both chambers make use of a system of majority and minority whips.

Which of the following best describes pork barrel politics? a. The Office of Management and Budget negotiates with Congress to get the president's budget proposal passed. b. Senators from states with agricultural economies promote farm price supports. c. Voters in rural areas support different issue positions than do voters in metropolitan areas. d. Members of Congress negotiate bills so that individual districts get money for projects that do not benefit the nation as a whole. e. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee refuse to endorse the president's nominees to the federal courts.

d. Members of Congress negotiate bills so that individual districts get money for projects that do not benefit the nation as a whole.

A special tactic used to extract a bill from a committee to have it considered by the entire House is called: a. a report b. a markup c. a filibuster d. a discharge petition

d. a discharge petition

A primary committee considering a bill is called: a. a standing committee b. a subcommittee c. a select committee d. a lead committee

d. a lead committee

Which of the following is generally true of the gerrymandering of congressional districts? a. It results in more Democrats being elected to the House. b. It results in more Republicans being elected to the House. c. It guarantees that all minority parties will be equally represented. d. It creates districts that favor one political party over another. e. It creates districts that favor one political party over another.

d. it creates districts that favor one political party over another

The House Rules Committee is an important part of the legislative process because it...

determines the terms and conditions of debate when a bill goes to the House floor

Congressional Staff

employees of the United States Congress or individual members of Congress. Some do research and write legislation, while others do case work like responding to constituents' requests. Some will even perform personal requests for the congressperson

Congressional Elections

held every two years on the first Tuesday in November (1/3 of the Senate every two years); must possess the ability to raise money; incumbency raises chances (advantages)

"Pork barrel" legislation helps the reelection chances of a member of Congress because such legislation...

helps earn the member of Congress a reputation for service to his or her district

Incumbency

holding the political office for which one is running; win reelection so often because of stronger name recognition, easier access to media coverage, redistricting that favors the incumbent party, campaign contributions, casework, and franking (sending mail free of charge)

committees

small groups of representatives who work out the details of bills; support the bureaucracy and support congressional leadership; develop expertise relating to their own interests (also claim credit for and build up brand)

Speaker of the House

the leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party (second in the line of presidential succession after VP). the presiding officer and manager of the House; chairs floor debates, makes majority party committee assignments, assigns members to the powerful Rules Committee, negotiates with members of the minority party and the White House, and guides legislation through the House (leader of his/her party in the House too - help party members get reelected)

House Majority Leader

the leader of the majority party, who helps the Speaker to develop and implement legislative strategy and who works with other members of the House of Representatives (minority party leadership and encourage unity among majority party leaders)

Senate Minority Leader

the leader of the minority party in the Senate, who works with the majority leader in negotiating legislation

House Minority Leader

the leader of the minority party, whose job mirrors that of the majority leader but without the power that comes from holding a majority in the House of Representatives; de facto leader of the minority party

Congress

the legislature of the United States government. it is an institution shaped by the people elected to serve there, men and women acting as the trusted representatives of the constituents who voted them into office; responsive to the needs and will of the people; lawmaking, representation, oversight, agenda setting, and managing social conflict (by representing a wide range of views and interests - taking stands, compromising, and negotiating). It is charged with the basic function of translating the public will into public policy in the form of law (both chambers must pass the piece of legislation before it becomes a law)

House of Representatives

the lower (less prestigious) house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population; 435 members elected every 2 years; narrow constituency (congressional district); less reliant on staff; power vested in leaders and committee chairs; based on the views of the people (why revenue bills must originate in the House). Initiates all revenue bills, more influential on budget, initiate impeachment proceedings, limited debates, House Rules Committee

Senate Majority Leader

the most powerful position in the Senate; the majority leader manages the legislative process (so that favored bills are passed) and schedules debate on legislation (same party as the VP); elected by the members of the majority party; exercise power through committee assignments

jurisdiction

the official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Logrolling

the practice in which members of Congress agree to vote for a bill in exchange for their colleague's vote on another bill; quid pro quo

Veto

the president rejecting the bill and returning it to Congress with a message explaining why the bill should not become law (Congress can vote to override it with 2/3 majority in both chambers)

markup

the process by which members of legislative committees "mark up" a bill with suggested language for changes and amendments

gatekeeping authority

the right and power to decide if a change in policy will be considered

President Pro Tempore (president pro tem)

theoretically, the chair of the Senate in the vice president's absence; in reality, an honorary title, with the senator of the majority party having the longest record of continuous service being elected to the position (3rd in line for presidential succession)

A major difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that

there is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House

___________ is an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislature

unanimous consent