AP Government & Politics Unit 4: Congress

Party Caucuses

Democratic and Republican, meetings for similar interests.

Hold

Senator holds a bill by saying that he/she needs to obtain more information about it before voting.

Conference committee

Special joint committee created to iron out differences between Senate and House versions of a specific piece of legislation. Final stages before the bill goes to the president.

Select/Special committee

Study specific issues on a temporary basis.

Baker vs. Carr

"One Man = One Vote" 1. Each Congressional District mush have equal population in each district.

Discharge petition

(HOUSE ONLY) Vote by representatives to get a bill moved out of Committee.

Standing committee

*does most work* Committee to which proposed bills are referred; continues from one Congress to the next.

Shaw v. Reno

1. Racial Gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

Constituent Services

1/3 of staff Answering mail, meeting with voters, etc.

Legislative Services

2/3 of staff Research, drafting legislation, scheduling hearings and meetings.

Veto Override

2/3 supermajority from both houses can be used to override a veto.

Cloture

60 Senate votes to stop a filibuster.

Incumbent advantage

98% reelection rate, support staff. "If my congressman hasn't done anything wrong, why elect someone new?"

Advice and Consent

A legal expression in the United States Constitution that allows the Senate to constrain the President's powers of appointment and treaty-making.

Filibuster

A legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposes.

Politico

A mixture of both a trustee and a delegate, it is the most commonly used technique.

Constituent

A person whom a member of Congress has been elected to represent.

Congressional Budget Office

Advises on the economic impact of bills.

Apportionment

Allotting seats in the House to each state following the census.

Markup

Amendments added to the proposed bill.

Earmarks

Amendments that also have nothing to do with the bill.

Pork barrel legislation

Amendments that usually have absolutely nothing to do with the bill trying to be passed. ex) The bill is about better schools but pork but Oklahoma senator puts port in for new highways.

Trustee

An elected official asks the constituent what they want, and ultimately makes the final decision based on what they told them.

Committee selection decision

Based on expertise, and party loyalty.

Impact of political parties in committees

Committee chair leader, majority of committee members.

Rules Committee

Committee that determines rules for debating on a Bill.

Joint committee

Committee that includes members from both houses of Congress to conduct investigations or special studies. (Generally Weaker)

Bicameral

Composed of two legislative bodies.

Pocket Veto

Congress adjourns, and the president does not sign the bill.

Congressional Oversight

Congressional review of the activities of an agency, department, or office.

Formal powers specific to House

House has the sole power to originate bills of revenue.

Government Accountability Office

Investigates how Congress and agencies spend taxpayer dollars.

Congressional Review

It allows congress to review specific activities of an agency. More in depth then oversight.

Purpose of committees

It would be impossible for everyone in congress to debate an issues (especially in the house), so specialized committees debate on the bill and amend it.

Majority Whip (House)

Key member of the majority party who keeps close contact with all of the members of his/her party and takes nose counts on key votes, prepares summaries of bills and in general acts as communications link within a party.

Majority Whip (Senate)

Key member of the majority party who keeps close contact with all of the members of his/her party and takes nose counts on key votes, prepares summaries of bills and in general acts as communications link within a party.

Minority Whip (House)

Key member of the minority party who keeps close contact with all of the members of his/her party and takes nose counts on key votes, prepares summaries of bills and in general acts as communications link within a party.

Minority Whip (Senate)

Key member of the minority party who keeps close contact with all of the members of his/her party and takes nose counts on key votes, prepares summaries of bills and in general acts as communications link within a party.

Committee chairs

Leader of committee, always member of majority party.

Quorum

Minimum number needed for a senate. (218 for house, 51 for senate)

Requirements for Representatives

Must be at least 25, been a citizen for 7 years, and be a resident of the state that he or she wishes to represent.

Requirements for Senators

Must be at least 30 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years at the time of election to the Senate, and a resident of the state one is elected to represent in the Senate.

Divided Government

Nearly half democrat, and half republican.

Gridlock

Nothing gets passed due to Divided Government.

Formal powers specific to Senate

Only the senate can approve treaties with other countries.

Congressional Research Service

Part of the Library of Congress, and gathers research for bills.

Veto

President rejects a bill and it is not turned into law.

Senatorial Courtesy

Presidents defer selection of district court judges to the Senator in whose state the vacancy occurs.

Legislative Process

Proposed by member of house or senate > referred to committee by Speaker of House or Majority Leader > Committee debate > Committee presentation > Read and Amended > Read Again > Voted On > Next House (Repeat) > President > Veto > 2/3 supermajority to override.

Redistricting

Redrawing state districts based on +/- seats, or population shifts.

War Powers Act

Requires president notify congress of an act of war within 2 days, and congress must approve before 60 days.

Impeachment Process

The House and Senate share in the impeachment process, however the house has the power to charge the president vice president, or other "civil officers," including federal judges.... the Senate tries the impeachment and determines whether the office holder loses his/her office.

Majority Leader (House)

The elected leader of the party controlling the most seats in the House of Representatives; he/she is second in authority to the Speaker of the House.

Majority Leader (Senate)

The elected leader of the party controlling the most seats in the Senate; he/she is considered to be the one in charge of the senate.

Minority Leader (House)

The elected leader of the party with the second highest number of elected officials.

President pro tempore

The official chair of the Senate; usually the most senior member of the majority party.

Speaker of the House

The only officer of the House of Representatives specifically mentioned in the Constitution; elected at the beginning of each new Congress by the e the entire House; traditionally a member of the majority party.

Delegate

The people put complete trust in the representative and they make their decision without contacting the people.

Vice President

The presiding officer of the Senate according to The Constitution. But, he is not a senator and only votes in case of a tie (rarely).

Logrolling

Vote trading

Congressional Staff

Work directly with congressmen and are the way that congressmen can communicate with constituents.