Chapter 4/5 Quiz
Describe examples of ways Senators, Representatives, or the President can delay or kill a bill in Congress. Research a modern-day example of each that is not mentioned in the text.
A President can veto the bill. An example of a President vetoing a bill is in 2020 where Donald Trump vetoed bill number S.J.Res.68 (Iran War Powers Resolution) on May 6th. A Senator may place a hold (delay) on legislation. An example of a Senator placing a hold on a bill is in 2006 when Senator Ted Stevens placed a hold on the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act bill. A Senator/Representative can also use filibuster to delay a bill. An example of a senator using a filibuster is when Senator Rand Paul staged a 13-hour filibuster to protest the powers granted to the Executive in the Patriot Act.
Constituency
A body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or senator
Executive Office of the President
A collection of offices within the White House organization designed mainly to provide information to the president.
Hold
A delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill
Describe one difference between the role played by party leaders in the House and party leaders in the Senate.
A difference between the role played by party leaders in the House and the party leaders in the Senate is that the Speaker of the House has more power than the Senate majority leader
Majority-minority district
A district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that electoral district.
War Powers Resolution
A law passed over President Nixon's veto that restricts the power of the president to maintain troops in combat for more than sixty days without congressional authorization.
Whip
A member of Congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure unity and discipline
Discharge Petition
A motion filed by a member of Congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote
Incumbency
A political official who is currently in office.
House Rules Committee
A powerful committee 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
Cloture
A procedure through which senators can end debate on a bill and proceed to action, provided three-fifths of senators agree to it
Entitlement program
A program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income
Explain one reason it is difficult for party leaders to control the way the members of their party vote on legislation.
A reason it is difficult for party leaders to control the way the members of their party vote is because the party leaders must make sure they vote in support with their position, keeping in mind those whose preferences clash with their political party.
Executive privilege
A right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of Congress
Divided Government
A situation that occurs when the control of the presidency and on or both chambers of Congress is split between the two major parties
Gridlock
A slowdown or halt in Congress's ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship
George W. Bush's actions taken against Terrorism & Methods of Implementing
Actions Taken Against Terrorism- Called members of the Ready Reserve of the Armed to active duty, seized financial assets, and blocked financial transactions with persons and organizations suspected of aiding terrorism. Established the office of Homeland Security Methods of Implementing-Issued a series of executive orders
Obama's actions taken against Terrorism & Methods of Implementing
Actions Taken Against Terrorism-Used executive action to target suspected terrorists. Launching drones and dropping missiles. Airstrikes. Methods of Implementing-Continued to use executive actions
Bipartisanship
Agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation
Economic Policy for the House of Representatives
All bills to raise revenue must be generated in the House Create and collect taxes, coin money, borrow money, regulate the value of currency, and regulate interstate and foreign commerce, Power to create laws "necessary and proper" to carry out enumerated powers
Executive agreement
An agreement between a president and another nation that does not have the same durability in the American system as a treaty but does not require Senate ratification.
Treaty
An agreement with a foreign government negotiated by the president and requiring a two-thirds vote in the Senate to ratify.
Bargaining and Persuasion
An informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his or her policy initiatives
Pocket Veto
An informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within ten days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An organization that raises money for candidates and campaigns
Foreign Policy for the Senate
Confirm ambassadors with a majority vote and ratify treaties entered into by a president through a two-thirds vote Regulate trade with other nations
Powers Involving the Judicial Branch (Senate)
Confirms nominees to the federal judiciary by a majority vote (Article II, Section 2) Senate tries members of the federal judiciary who have been impeached (Article I, Section 3)
Powers Involving the Executive Branch (Senate)
Confirms presidential nominations of executive branch officers with a majority vote (Article II, Section 2) and convicts impeached officials with a 2/3 vote (Article I, Section 3 and Article II, Section 4
How does Congress "check and balance" the judicial and executive branches?
Congress "checks and balances" the judicial and executive branches is by making them do the opposite things, like having the Senate confirm nominations of branch officers (and with the impeachment trials) while the House of Representatives deal with issuing impeachment against people (president, vice president, members of the federal judiciary).
National Security for the House of Representative/Senate
Declare war, raise support armies and a naval force, power to call up the military "to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions," define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas
Why is disagreement within the legislative branch beneficial, while in the executive branch it is detrimental?
Disagreement within the legislative is beneficial because it is the branch to question the Executive branch. Disagreements are detrimental to the executive branch because when disagreements happen, they weaken the execution of the plan they plan.
Partisan gerrymandering
Drawing of district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party
Oversight
Efforts by Congress to ensure that executive branch agencies, bureaus, and cabinet departments, as well as their officials, are acting legally and in accordance with congressional goals
Presidential Powers
Execute the nation's laws Submit the annual federal budget Appoint and seek the advice of cabinet departments Shape foreign policy by negotiating treaties, appointing ambassadors, and conducting diplomacy Make policy recommendations to Congress; veto congressional legislation Acts as commander in chief of the armed forces Deliver pardons
What is the process of how a bill becomes a law?
For a bill to become a law, it first must be introduced in the House of Representatives or the Senate and must be referred to a committee. It then must be referred to a subcommittee and then the subcommittee and committee must consider the bill. It then must go through floor consideration (where both Senate and House of Representative com together). It then gets a final consideration from the Senate/House of Representative and then goes to the to the President. The President has his consideration and either signs the bill or vetoes it. If he vetoes the bill the House and Senate can have a reconsideration and override the veto.
Veto
Formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress
How do human weaknesses complicate decision‐making, according to Hamilton?
Human weaknesses complicate decision-making because concerns and worries slow down the decision-making process.
Necessary and Proper Clause (House of Representatives & Senate)
Individual amendments (such as the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth) grant Congress "the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation," those amendments
Incumbency advantage
Institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election.
Congressional Powers
Investigate/impeach the president Pass the budget Confirm, delay, or block nominations Ratify treaties and confirm ambassadors Override vetoes Declare war and fund the armed forces Congress retains the power to impeach officials who have been pardoned, but neither the legislature nor the judiciary may override a pardon.
Powers Involving the Executive Branch (House of Representatives)
Issue articles of impeachment against the president, vice president, and other executive branch officers (Article I, Section 2 and Article II, Section 4)
Powers Involving the Judicial Branch (House of Representatives)
Issues articles of impeachments against members of the federal judiciary (Article I, Section 2) Create levels of the judicial branch below the Supreme Court, establish the number of Supreme Court justices (Article III, Section 1)
According to Hamilton, why is it important to have an energetic executive?" How do you think Hamilton would evaluate President Trump's level of energy throughout his first months in office?
It is important to have an energetic executive because it marks the characteristics of a good government for the protection of the United States against anybody. I think Hamilton would like the energy that Trump served throughout his first months in office since he did a lot during those few months.
Committee Chair
Leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committee's agenda
Pork Barrel Spending
Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states
Describe one way the committee system impacts legislation
One way that the committee system impacts legislation is that these committees are the ones who are resolving differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill so that the President can sign that bill into law.
Executive order
Policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval.
Informal powers
Powers not laid out in the Constitution but used to carry out presidential duties.
Formal (enumerated) powers
Powers of the president expressly granted in the Constitution.
Bully Pulpit
Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies.
Presidential pardon
Presidential authority to forgive an individual and set aside punishment for a crime.
Why is redistricting often controversial?
Redistricting is often controversial because it puts incumbents at risk by changing the composition of their constituencies or forcing two incumbents to run for the same seat.
Foreign Policy for the House of Representatives
Regulate trade with other nations
Politico Role
Representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interest of their constituents and parties in making decisions
Basic Information for the House of Representatives
Requirements for Membership: At least 25 years old, 7 years of citizenship, resident of state Service: 2-year terms, unlimited number of terms Constituency: District, apportioned to states by population Organization: More governed by rules, more formally structured, more power to individual leadership positions Goals: To be closer to voters' preferences
Basic Information of the Senate
Requirements for Membership: At least 30 years old, 9 years of citizenship, resident of state Service: 6-year terms, divided into 3 classes, with unlimited number of terms Constituency: Entire state Organization: Less governed by rules, more power to individual members, more informal Goals: To be more insulated from voters' preferences
Discretionary Spending
Spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president
Mandatory Spending
Spending required by existing laws that is "locked in" the budget
Redistricting
States' redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census
Filibuster
Tactic through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation
Signing statement
Text issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consists of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president's interpretation of the law itself.
What does the "Necessary and Proper" Clause give Congress the ability to do?
The "Necessary and Proper" clause gives Congress the ability to pass laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out Congress' duties.
Budget Surplus
The amount of money remaining when the government takes in more money than it spends
State of the Union Address
The annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs.
Executive Branch
The branch of government charged with putting the nation's law into effect.
Explain the difference between Descriptive Representation and Substantive Representation. In your opinion, which is more important?
The difference between Descriptive Representation and Substantive Representation is that descriptive representation is the constituents' characteristics while substantive representation is what the constituents wants. In my opinion, I believe that substantive representation is more important since it relies on what the constituents want.
Budget Deficit
The difference when a government takes in less money than it spends
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The executive branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities
What factors make it difficult for Congress to control the budget?
The factors that make it difficult for Congress to control the budget is that they don't have that much authority, resources (money (national debt)), and clarity.
Minority Leader
The head of the party with the second-highest number of seats in Congress, chosen by the party's members
Delegate Role
The idea that the main duty of a number of Congress is to carry out constituent wishes
Trustee Role
The ideas that members of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement
Speaker of the House
The leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by an election of its members
Senate Majority Leader
The person who has the most power in the Senate and is the head of the party with most seats
House Majority Leader
The person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives
What problems might arise if the presidency were split between two people?
The problems that might arise if the presidency were split between two people is that they lessen respectability, weakens authority, distracts the plans plus the operation of whom they divide, and might split the community into violent and irreconcilable factions.
Apportionment
The process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data
Impeachment
The process of removing a president from office, with articles of impeachment issued by a majority vote in the House of Representatives, followed by a trial in the Senate, with a two-thirds vote necessary to convict and remove.
Explain the purpose behind having a bicameral legislature.
The purpose of having a bicameral legislature is that it doubles the security to the people of factions being able to not control the government.
Describe the redistricting issue in Baker v. Carr (1962) and Shaw v. Reno (1993) and how the Supreme Court ruled in each case.
The redistricting issue in Baker v. Carr was that a Republican challenged Tennessee's district boundaries with new ones causing some districts to contain ten times the population of other districts. The Supreme Court did not like this and ruled against this motion and had Tennessee to redraw the district boundaries so that the districts had roughly the same number of constituents ("one person, one vote"). The redistricting issue in Shaw v. Reno was North Carolina drew up a reapportionment plan designed that used race. The Supreme Court rejected this plan since it was a majority-minority and used race to such a degree that it could only be understood as a way to segregate voter based on race.
National Debt
The total amount of money owed by the federal government
Malapportionment
The uneven distribution of the population between legislative districts.
Logrolling
Trading of votes on legislation by members of Congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation
In the space below, outline the essential facts surrounding Supreme Court case Hamdi[en] v. Rumsfeld (2002). Then, identify the opinion of the court. How was the concept of habeas corpus central to the facts at hand?
Yaser Hamdi (an American citizen) was detained by the military in Afghanistan. He was accused of fighting for the Taliban, declared an enemy, and was held in Guantanamo Bay. He got transferred to a military prison when it was found out he was American. Esam Fouad Hadmdi, Hamdi's father, filed for a petition for a writ of habeas corpus to have Hamdi's detention declared unconstitutional. Supreme Court considered the petition and declared that it was unconstitutional. Option of the Court: "A state of war is not a blank check for the President when it comes to the rights of the Nation's citizens." The decision also asserted that Yaser had the right to a hearing. The concept of habeas corpus is central to the case because Yaser didn't get to have a trial before being put in Guantanamo Bay or the military prison which the writ of habeas corpus makes sure that nobody is held in prison without being charged with anything.
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
Gerrymandering
the intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters
Going Public
· A tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people with the hope that the people will, in turn, put pressure upon their representatives and senators to press for a president's policy goals.
Economic Policy for the Senate
· Propose budgetary amendments. In practice, the Senate has become a coequal partner in setting national revenue policy. Create and collect taxes, coin money, borrow money, regulate the value of currency, and regulate interstate and foreign commerce, Power to create laws "necessary and proper" to carry out enumerated powers
