AP Gov Unit 2
Policy-Making Process
1. Evaluation (what are the problems that need to be fixed) 2. Issue Identification 3. Policy Formulation 4. Decision Making (vote in Congress on whether to approve or deny the policy) 5. Implemented
Constituencies
A body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or senator
Joint Committee
A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations
Holds
A delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill
impeachment
A formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office
Trustee
A legislator who acts according to her or his conscience and the broad interests of the entire society.
Whip
A member of Congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline
D
A member of the United States Senate, Jane Smith, personally opposes a bill that calls for a single-payer system of healthcare, in contrast to the majority of her constituency, who are in favor of the legislation. Based on the trustee model of constituent accountability, which of the following actions will Senator Smith most likely take when it is time to vote on the piece of legislation? A Vote for the bill according to the desires of her constituency. B Vote for the bill to win favor with her party leadership C Vote against the bill to maximize support from interest groups that support her reelection campaign. D Vote against the bill according to her own conscience, which may cause her to lose support among her constituents.
Delegate
A person appointed or elected to represent others
Filibuster
A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.
Cloture
A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.
overriding presidential vetoes with 2/3
A regular veto occurs when the President returns the legislation to the house in which it originated, usually with a message explaining the rationale for the veto. This veto can be overridden only by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House.
Conference Committee
A temporary joint committee that resolves differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill, which is required by the Constitution before a president can sign the bill into law
A
After extensive polling, a member of the House of Representatives learns that her constituents favor universal background checks for all gun purchases. Based on this information, the representative votes in favor of background checks in a criminal justice bill, although she personally opposes the provision. In doing so, she is acting as a A delegate B trustee C politico D committee chair
Unanimous Consent
An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill
House Rules Committee
An institution unique to the House of Representatives that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the House floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments will be allowed on the floor
National
Are the House of Representatives federal or national?
Shaw v. Reno
Argument amongst debating whether or not states had the ability to gerrymander based on race, and whether or not this was constitutional
Baker v. Carr
Argument debating whether the Federal government had the ability to redraw districts over state legislatures since it is normally a state responsibility
Incumbency
Being already in office as opposed to running for the first time
Unified Government
Confirmation of presidential nominees for Supreme Court justices and other federal judges by the Senate is more likely during periods of... divided government unified government
Unified Government
Congress delegates greater levels of discretion to the bureaucracy during periods of... divided government unified government
Oversight
Congressional review of the activities of an executive agency, department, or office through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies
Committee of the Whole
Consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation
Divided Government
Control of the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress split between the two major parties
Apportionment
Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state
Baker v. Carr
Federal government does have the power to enforce equality on state legislatives due to the 14 ammendment and the equal protection clause "No State shall...deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."- INEQUALITY- one person one vote
1. Bill is drafted and submitted by house or senate member. 2. Introduced in House 3. Sent to Committee 4. Committee Action 5. Rules Committee 6. Floor Action 7. Introduced in Senate 8. Committee Action 9. Bill Called Up 10. Floor Action 11. Conference Committee 12. Vote on Compromise 13. Presidential Action 14. Could Vote to Override with 2/3 approval of Congress
How does a bill become a law?
More governed by rules, more formally structured, more power to individual leadership positions
How is the organization/character in the House of Representatives?
Less governed by rules, more power to individual members, more informal
How is the organization/character in the Senate?
Congress can override a veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. This check prevents the President from blocking an act when significant support for it exists.
How is the power of overriding presidential vetoes with 2/3 a check and balance on the executive branch?
The Constitution gave the power of the purse - the nation's checkbook - to Congress. The Founders believed that this separation of powers would protect against monarchy and provide an important check on the executive branch.
How is the power of the purse a check and balance on the executive branch?
Federal
Is the Senate federal or national?
Committee Chair
Leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committee's agenda
Divided Government
Omnibus legislation is more likely during periods of... divided government unified government
Divided Government
Presidents are more likely to block legislation during periods of... divided government unified government
Gerrymandering
Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.
C
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. George Washington's Farewell Address, 1796 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.
Politico
Representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions
Politico
Role played by elected representatives who act as trustees or as delegates, depending on the issue.
The Appointments Clause confers plenary power to the President to nominate, and confers plenary power to the Senate to reject or confirm a nominee, through its advice and consent provision, providing a check on the executive branch
Senate confirmation of executive appointments (SCOTUS)
Rules Committee (House)
Set the rules for the debate and make the debate more formal
Judiciary (Senate)
Standing committee of the us senate that has oversight responsibilities over the federal judiciary and is responsible for conducting hearings to consider judicial nominees including nominee to the supreme court
Select/Special Committee
Temporary body that is usually called upon to investigate an issue, sometimes in response to a crisis or scandal
Shaw v. Reno
The Court ruled that although it was a legitimate goal for state legislatures to take race into account when they draw electoral districts in order to increase the voting strength of minorities, they may not make race the sole reason for drawing district lines as gerrymandering based on race is unconstitutional due to the 14 amendment and the equal protection clause ("No State shall...deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws"). It is also unconstitutional because, in Gomillion v. Lightfoot, the Court concluded that courts have the power under the 15th Amendment to invalidate districts that are drawn to abridge the right to vote on the basis of race since Alabama was intentionally gerrymandering to segregate black voters and deprive them of their right to vote under the 15 ammendment
Senate Majority Leader
The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.
Minority Leader
The head of the party with the second-highest number of seats in Congress, chosen by the party's members
Trustee
The idea that members of Congress should make decisions based on their knowledge and judgment
Delegate
The idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituents' wishes
Speaker of the House
The leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by an election of its members
Senate Minority Leader
The party officer in the Senate who commands the minority party's opposition to the policies of the majority party and directs the legislative program and strategy of his or her party.
Divided Government
The percentage of legislation passed is significantly lower during periods of... divided government unified government
Senate Majority Leader
The person who has the most power in the Senate and is the head of the party with the most seats
House Majority Leader
The person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives
Veto
The power of a president to reject a bill passed by Congress, sending it back to the originating branch with objections
enumerated powers
The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.
unified government
Unified government or divided government? Congress House of Representatives (democrat) and Senate (democrat) Executive President (democrat)
divided government
Unified government or divided government? Congress House of Representatives (democrat) and Senate (democrat) Executive President (republican)
divided government
Unified government or divided government? Congress House of Representatives (democratic) and Senate (republican) Executive President (republican)
divided government
Unified government or divided government? Congress House of Representatives (republican) and Senate (republican) Executive President (democrat)
Speaker Majority Leader Whips Minority Leader
What are the Congressional leadership positions in the House of Representatives?
Majority Leader Minority Leader
What are the Congressional leadership positions in the Senate?
create and collect taxes coin money borrow money regulate the value of currency regulate interstate and foreign commerce create laws "necessary and proper" to carry out enumerated powers regulate trade with other nations declare war raise and support armies and a naval force power to call up the military to execute and enforce their laws and repel invasions define and punish felonies create levels of the judicial branch below Supreme Court establish the number of Supreme Court justice
What are the enumerated powers of Congress?
Trustee Delegate Politico
What are the models of representation?
slavery couldn't be banned until the year 1809 habeas corpus (a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, especially to secure the person's release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention) can't be taken away unless public safety is put into danger pass bills of attainder or ex post facto laws (Congress cannot make a law and then charge somebody who already did it in the past) can't tax any state's exports to another state can't take public money from the treasury without permission can't grant titles of nobility (prohibits the federal government from granting titles of nobility to a citizen)
What are the powers denied to Congress?
lawmaking budgeting oversight of the federal bureaucracy (regulates the committees and subcommittees) and other public officials
What are the powers of Congress?
must be at least 25 years old must be a USA citizen for 7 years must live in the state they are representing (be a resident of the state they are representing)
What are the requirements for membership in the House of Representatives?
Must be at least 30 years old Must be a USA citizen for 9 years Must live in the state they are representing (be a resident of the state they are representing)
What are the requirements for membership in the Senate?
Initiate revenue bills Impeach Choose president if there's no majority in the electoral college
What are the specific powers of the House of Representatives?
Ratify treaties with 2/3 vote confirm appointments of the cabinet, justices, judges, and ambassadors with a majority vote (51% or more) Try impeachments and convict impeached officials with a 2/3 vote Foreign relations
What are the specific powers of the Senate?
435 representatives run for reelection every 2 years with an unlimited number of terms
What are the term lengths in the House of Representatives?
100 senators run for reelection every six years (divided into three classes where 1/3 gets reelected in 2 years, 1/3 gets reelected in 4 years, and 1/3 gets reelected in 6 years) with an unlimited number of terms
What are the term lengths in the Senate?
To be closer to the voters' (peoples')preferences
What is the goal of the House of Representatives?
To be more insulated from voters' preferences
What is the goal of the Senate?
committee membership is determined by party leaders and generally reflects the ratio of party membership in each chamber
What is the role of party in determining commitees?
Party Polarization
When political parties move farther away from each other ideologically
in the house because of gerrymandering of electoral districts
Where is incumbency stronger in the Congress? Why?
D
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? A House of Representatives:Led by the president pro tempore Senate:Led by the vice president B House of Representatives:Initiates revenue bills Senate:Nominates cabinet members C House of Representatives:Must approve Supreme Court nominees Senate:Must approve treaties D House of Representatives:Debate on bills is limited Senate:Debate on bills can be unlimited
B
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? A House of Representatives:The majority and minority parties control legislative scheduling and rules equally. Senate:Minority party members can threaten to filibuster a bill the majority party wants to pass. B House of Representatives: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. C House of Representatives:Most legislative work takes place in the standing committees. Senate:Based on its size, it tends to have stricter rules affecting the legislative process. D House of Representatives:Members serve two-year terms with a term limit of up to twelve years. Senate:Members serve six-year terms with no term limits.
C
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the rules for debate used by the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? A House of Representatives:Debate is unlimited. Senate:Debate is unlimited. B House of Representatives:Members can filibuster. Senate:Members cannot filibuster. C House of Representatives:Debate is limited. Senate:Members can filibuster. D House of Representatives:Members cannot filibuster. Senate:Only the majority leader can filibuster.
C
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
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
the incumbent Name recognition Franking privileges—the ability to send mail by one's signature rather than by postage Have a better financial advantage (people are more likely to donate in their name for a bill, law, etc) (parties are also more likely to donate money for you and support you)
Who has the advantage in an election? Why?
electoral district, apportioned to states by population
Who is the constituency in the House of Representatives?
entire state
Who is the constituency in the Senate?
Longer terms allow them to be more insulated from factions Fewer representatives help avoid passions and insulate from factions There's less corruption and less passion Provides a check on the government Stability wisdom
Why are the Senate's rules and requirements stricter than that of the house?
Discharge Petition
a device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had the bill for 30 days, may petition to have it brought to the floor
Baker v. Carr
case that established one man one vote principle, and gave the Federal government the power to enforce equality on state legislatives due to the 14 ammendment and the equal protection clause - "No State shall...deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
The House of Representatives has the responsibility of impeaching the president, meaning that it conducts an investigation and votes to impeach by a simple majority vote (51% or greater). The senate then gets 2/3 approval to impeach and removes the office member from office and prevents then from running for any office position again.
how is impeachment a check and balance on the executive branch?
Incumbency Advantage
institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election
Pork-barrel legislation (earmarks)
legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return
Lame Duck Period
period at the end of a presidential term when Congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees
Standing Committees
permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area
Congressional Oversight
refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs and policy implementation, and it provides the legislative branch with an opportunity to inspect, examine, review and check the executive branch and its agencies.
house majority leader
schedules legislation to be considered on the House floor; organizes daily, weekly, and yearly legislative plans; consults with Members to understand how party members feel about issues; works to advance the goals of the party; and works to keep the majority party united
Redistricting
states' redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census
whips
task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature, and ensure that members of the party vote according to the party platform, rather than according to their own individual ideology or the will of their donors or constituents
power of the purse
the ability to tax and spend public money for the national government
Ways and Means (House)
the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives
Shaw v. Reno
the court concluded that, due to the weirdly shaped districts, North Carolina reapportioned districts based on race. It was concluded that Shaw's claim gave rise to an equal protection challenge, then was sent back down to the district court. In violation of the 14 ammendment and the equal protection clause "No State shall...deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Have to follow Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960) ruling that Alabama has violated the Fifteenth Amendment (which gave African-Americans the right to vote) when it constructs the boundary lines between electoral districts for the purpose of denying equal representation to African-Americans- Addressed the fact that gerrymandering based on race is unconstitutional
Gridlock
the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
Speaker of the House
the leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives; maintains order, manages its proceedings, and governs the administration of its business
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
Majority-minority districts
the process by which a majority of the population is from the minority
One Person, One Vote
the rule that one person's voting power is equivalent to another person's within the same state
Unified Government
the same party controls both the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress
President of the Senate
the vice president whose role is to preside over the Senate's daily proceedings
Logrolling
vote trading; voting to support a colleague's bill in return for a promise of future support
Committees monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to the Senate
what is the legislative role of committees
Congressional oversight refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs and policy implementation, and it provides the legislative branch with an opportunity to inspect, examine, review and check the executive branch and its agencies.
what is the oversight role of committees?
