GOV 2304 (Emblem) Exam Three
Which chamber(s) of Congress may filibuster?
Senate
Who are the current leaders in the Senate and the House of Representatives?
Senate: Majority Leader: Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Minority Leader: Chuck Schumer (D-NY) President Pro tempore: Chuck Grassley (R-IA) Majority Whip: John Thune (R-SD) Minority Whip: Richard Durbin (D-IL) House: Speaker: Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Minority Leader: Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) Majority Whip: James Clyburn (D-SC) Minority Whip: Steve Scalise (R-LA)
How did Constitution break new ground?
by giving lawmakers less room to censor citizens while giving citizens more power to criticize lawmakers.
What is "emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary?" (Marbury v. Madison)
"Emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is."
What did Justice Brennan believe was the most important law in the Supreme Court?
"Most law of the Supreme Court is the law of five. With five votes, you can do anything."
What did Montesquieu write about judiciary?
"of three powers above mentioned, the judiciary is next to nothing."
What are the four major types of structures in the federal bureaucracy?
(1) cabinet departments (2) independent executive agencies (3) independent regulatory agencies (4) government corporations.
What two visions emerged at Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia?
1st: aimed to vest Congress with ample authority over interstate and international affairs. 2nd: sought to add powers to general federal authority to veto state laws.
How does a bill become a law?
1) Legislation is introduced and handed to the clerk of the specific chamber that it originated, and assigned to related committee. 2) Referred to subcommittee within committee. 3) Hearings held and research performed. 4) Modified/Revised 5) If passed, sent to full committee. 6) If passed in committee, reported to chamber, debated, amended, and either passed or defeated 7) Conference committee to reach a compromise on differing bills. 8) back to chamber floor for approval of identical bills. 9) subjected to presidential veto or signed into law.
What are the key constraints of the public bureaucracy as noted by James Q. Wilson?
1) cannot lawfully retain and devote to the private benefit of their members the earnings of the organization. 2) cannot allocate factors of production in accordance with preferences of administrators. 3) must serve goals not of organizations own choosing. - Hard to hold managers accountable for attaining a goal, easy to hold them accountable for conforming to rules. - Equity issues always easier to judge than efficiency issues.
What is the jurisdiction of SC?
1) cases between US and any of the states 2) cases between two or more states 3) cases involving foreign ambassadors or other ministers 4) case brought by one state against citizen of another or a foreign country.
The new Constitution allowed the government to do what three things?
1) control own army and navy without state intervention 2) to impose taxes and duties on individuals to pay for these armed forces 3) to appoint all professional military officers.
Americans would run a continental republic designed to do what four things?
1) keep foreign powers at bay 2) aggressive states in line 3) America's military under control 4) slave masters on board
How long is a House of Representative's term? Senate?
2 years 6 years
Where in the Constitution is the procedure for Presidential succession found?
25th Amendment (Lecture Notes) and also Article II, Section 1, Claude 6. VP Speaker of the House President Pro-tempore of Senate Oldest cabinet position to newest
How many departments make up the President's cabin?
15 departments
Describe the history of the number of justices on the Supreme Court
1789- six 1807- seven 1837- nine 1863- ten justices 1866- seven 1869- nine Changed by various Congressional acts. Changed two times around the Civil War.
When was the Executive Office of the President created?
1939
How many members are in the House of Representatives? Senate?
435 100
How many states have a winner-take all system for electoral college votes?
48 of 50
How many electors are in electoral college? How many votes to determine winner?
538; 270.
How many days is the waiting period before a proposed rule becomes a law?
60 days.
How many votes are required to break filibuster?
60 votes.
How often has the veto power been upheld?
90% of the time.
How successful are incumbents in re-election campaigns?
98% in House, 90% in Senate.
What are joint committees?
A committee that has members from both the House and the Senate. Permanent, but can not present legislation. ⁃ example: conference committee (that exists to reconcile versions of a bill)
What is the Whip System?
A communications network in each house of Congress. Whips poll the membership to learn their intentions on specific legislative issues and assist the majority and minority leaders in various tasks.
What is the Council of Economic Advisers?
A three-member body appointed by the president to advise the president on economic policy.
What is sociological representation?
A type of representation in which representatives have the same racial, gender, ethnic, religious, or educational backgrounds as their constituents. It is based on the principle that if two individuals are similar in background, character, interests, and perspectives, then one could correctly represent the other's views.
What is a party unity vote?
A vote in which 50 percent or more of the members of both parties take opposite positions on a piece of legislation.
What is a roll call vote?
A vote in which each senator votes "yea" or "nay" as his or her name is called by the clerk, so that the names of senators voting on each side are recorded.
How do party leaders reward loyal members?
Access to leadership PACs committee assignments access to floor whip system logrolling presidency
What did Framers imagine President as?
America's first magistrate, with important and independent authority to construe and defend Constitution.
What is the kitchen cabinet?
An informal group of advisers to whom the president turns for counsel and guidance. Members of the official cabinet may or may not also be members of the kitchen cabinet. Usually fewer than a dozen people.
Where are the enumerated powers of Congress found?
Article 1 Section 8, clauses 1-17.
Where in the Constitution does it address the House of Representatives? How are members selected?
Article 1, Section 2. Popular election.
Where in the Constitution does it address the Senate? How were members originally elected?
Article 1, Section 3. State legislatures.
What article pertains to Congressional elections?
Article 1, Section 4. Conducted in individual states.
What article establishes the executive branch?
Article II
What are the rules of procedure in Congress?
Bill consideration in Senate requires unanimous consent agreement. - agree to yield right to debate or do this, that, or other so that body may proceed in a way appearing expeditious. House bills must go to House Rules Committee before floor debate. Senate allows filibuster.
The challenge confronting America in 1787 was to avoid both __________ and a ____________.
Challenge to avoid both dangerously strong central regime and dangerously weak one.
What are the responsibilities of the President as the Chief Executive and as the Commander in Chief?
Chief Executive: president must see that all laws are faithfully executed, and president will appoint and supervise all executive officers and federal judges. Power to grant pardons and reprieves. Commander in Chief: power to command the national military and the state National Guard units when called into service. Wartime powers.
Who is uniformly acknowledged to have been the most important Chief Justice in U.S. history?
Chief Justice John Marshall
What did Madison believe about Congress and its members?
Congress brimming with enlightened statesmen would be wiser and juster than state legislatures apt to be populated by small-minded and short-sighted demagogues.
What are the deciding factors in determining whether a bill will become law?
Constituents Interest Groups Party Discipline
What are the three sources of American law?
Constitutions Statutes and Administrative Agencies Case Law
Why has Congress allowed for a fluctuation in the number of Supreme Court Justices?
Dependent upon the statutes that they create along with political climate. Ex: changed the S.C. from 10 to 7 during Andrew Johnson's tenure as President.
How does President act as chief diplomat?
Diplomatic recognition Proposal and ratification of treaties Executive agreements.
What was the name and date of the second case in which the SCOTUS found a legislative act unconstitutional?
Dredd Scott v. Sanford in 1857.
What is common law?
English tradition in which judge made law based initially on prevailing custom and eventually on legal precedent.
How does the legislative branch and the executive branch check the judiciary branch?
Executive: appointments to court and can refuse to enforce court orders. Legislative: constitutional amendments and revision of laws.
Which president was most effect at popular mobilization?
FDR through his Fire Side chats.
An English king was a defender of ______ while the American president defender of _________.
Faith; Constitution.
What is the jurisdiction of federal courts?
Federal question or diversity of citizens.
When does the SC begin and end their session?
First Monday in October and usually adjourns in June.
What are the procedures of the S.C.?
First: attorney briefs, which seek to sway court to rule in their favor. Second: oral arguments, where both sides appear in court to present arguments and answer questions of the Supreme Court. Third: conference meeting and voting. Fourth: opinion writing on both sides, explaining reasoning for siding with specific party.
What is the responsibility of the Vice President in the Senate?
He or she serves as the President of the Senate, presiding over it, and has the power to cast a tie-breaking vote when necessary.
Why did Marbury sue Secretary of State Madison?
He sued for his commission, which was need to take the oath of office as the Justice of Peace.
What are the three characteristics of a bureaucracy listed by Max Weber?
Hierarchical-set up with clear chains of command. Specialization- agency specialists provide efficient management. Standard operating procedure- formalized rules about how to handle tasks and structure.
According to the Constitution, what are the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the impeachment process?
House draws up articles of impeachment and elects to impeach official based on treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. The House acts as the grand jury, and determines with a majority vote if official should be impeached. The Senate serves as the judge and the trial jury, holding a trial to determine whether an official should be convicted and removed from office. This requires a 2/3 vote.
Where are "money bills" introduced?
House of Representatives
Who determines President if there is not a winner with a majority?
House will vote state by state for candidate.
What are the differences in debate rules between each chamber of Congress?
House: all debate controlled by bills sponsor and leading opponent, and others granted approval by Speaker and other leaders. Senate: unlimited debate, leading to filibuster.
What is a trustee and an instructed delegate?
Instructed: should act and vote in accordance with preferences of constituents. Trustee: should act and vote in accordance with what they think is best.
What two categories can agencies promoting national security be split into?
Internal National Security (DHS, FBI) External National Security (State and Defense)
What are issue networks?
Issue networks utilize members of many different segments of political society to formulate policy on a certain issue. The participants include Washington-based interest groups, congressional staffers, members of Congress, members of the bureaucracy, university faculty, experts participating in think tanks, representatives of the mass media, political consultants, and lawyers.
What is significant with the Judiciary Act of 1789?
It created new federal lower courts and expanded their jurisdiction. Outlined structure and jurisdiction of each branch. Also created AG.
What did Marshall say about any law passed by the Congress and signed by the President that was in violation of the Constitution?
It was void, invalid, and of no force.
Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
John G. Roberts
What did the Federalists Congress pass three weeks prior to Jefferson's swearing in to office and what did it do?
Judiciary Act of 1801. It reduced numbers of S.C. justices from six to five and created new district courts while expanding circuit courts. It also created the Justice of the Peace position.
What are the two main functions of Congress?
Lawmaking function and representative function. Others: service to constituents, oversight function, public education function, and conflict resolution function.
Who is the solicitor general?
Noel Francisco
What is the largest EOP department? What is its duty?
Office of Management and Budget. Prepares national budget, designs presidential programs, report on agency activities, and oversee regulatory proposals.
17th Amendment
Passed in 1913, this amendment to the Constitution calls for the direct election of senators by the voters instead of their election by state legislatures.
What is monetary policy?
Policies that control the supply of money, the price of money, and the availability of credit.
What is the "rhetorical presidency?"
President using rhetoric, usually through speeches, interviews, and other kinds of performances to both inspire and increase the mobilization of public support. Bill Clinton was the best example.
Legislatures power over ________ counterbalanced executive's power over _________.
Purse; pen.
If the people did not want to continue the army, they could simply ____________.
Refuse to fund it.
What are the powers of Congress?
Regulate trade, raise and support a military, declare war, establish a post office, regulate interstate commerce, etc. . .
What is a revenue agency?
Responsible for collecting taxes. Some agencies include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
How many times prior to the Civil War did presidents use veto power? What was the primary reason for these vetoes?
Roughly 50 times. Primarily due to issues of constitutionality.
What is the "rule of four?"
Rule that four justices on the Supreme Court must agree to take case before they can hear it.
According to Marshall, what was the sole province of the court?
Sole province of court to say what law is.
What are the requirements for a case?
Standing to sue. Party must have suffered harm or be in danger of suffering harm.
What is the breakdown in number of committees?
Standing- 16 Senate, 20 House Select- 4 Senate, 2 House Joint: 4
What committees in each party assign their members to Congressional committees?
Steering and Policy Committee- Dems Steering Committee and Policy Committee- Republicans.
What are main duties of VP?
Strengthen nomination ticket Support President
Shelby County v. Holder (2013)
Struck down provision of Voting Rights Act of 1965 requiring states engaged in past discrimination to get federal preclearance from the DOJ before instituting changes in voting laws or practices; allowed restrictive state voter ID laws to go forward (Roberts Court).
Miller v. Johnson (1995)
Supreme Court limited racial redistricting by ruling that race could not be the predominant factor in creating electoral districts.
Shaw v. Reno
Supreme Court ruled that race cannot be the predominant factor in creating districts.
What did President Jackson write about interpreting how to defend the Constitution?
That they have the ability to take into account certain questions beyond the judicial realm. That they too could be defenders of the Constitution.
Who are the "Midnight Judges?"
The 58 judges confirmed on the day of Jefferson's inauguration as a result of the Judiciary Act of 1801.
What is a key monetary agency?
The Federal Reserve (est. 1913)
What becomes of statues and acts that violate the Constitution?
They are invalid, void, and of no force.
Do the members of Congress typically compare well to the general public?
They are usually more educated and wealthy, and more white and male than the overall population. However, they can represent the ethnicity, gender, or religion of their constituents, but the larger trends relate to the former information over the latter.
How does Congress control bureaucratic agencies?
They control them by handling purse strings, investigations, hearings, and reviews.
What was the ruling of the Court in the Marbury case regarding what Congress had done in the Judiciary Act of 1789?
They ruled they had violated the Constitution in expanding the original jurisdiction of the S.C.
Did the Supreme Court uphold the line-item veto?
They struck it down, saying that it was unconstitutional. They said it violated the Presentment Clause of the Constitution, which says that the president does not have the power to unilaterally amend or repeal legislation passed by Congress.
According to Stewart, what was the desire of the Founders regarding the activity level of the Supreme Court?
They wanted a largely inactive and inundated court.
What conditions increase a case's chance of being heard by the Supreme Court?
Two lower courts are in disagreement. When lower court's ruling conflicts with existing S.C. ruling. Case of broad significance. State court had decided a substantial federal question. Solicitor General is pressing court to hear case.
What are the three tiers of the American federal court system and how many courts are on each tier?
U.S. District Courts- 94 districts. U.S. Court of Appeals- 13 courts. 12 courts that cover twelve geographic circuits, one for other specific cases. The U.S. Supreme Court- single court.
How does the Supreme Court check themselves?
Will not hear hypothetical and political questions. Respect the decisions of lower courts. Stare decisis.
What groups still lag behind in Congressional representation?
Women, African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans.
What is senatorial courtesy?
a custom whereby presidential appointments are confirmed only if there is no objection to them by the senators from the appointee's state, especially from the senior senator of the president's party from that state.
What are regulatory agencies?
a department, bureau, or independent agency whose primary mission is to impose restrictions on conduct of other individuals or companies in private sector. EPA, FDA, DHHS, OSHA, etc. . .
What is the Freedom of Information Act?
a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government.
What is the cabinet?
a group of advisors to the president. Comprised of the heads of all major executive departments and agencies.
What is the Sunshine Law?
a law requiring certain proceedings of government agencies to be open or available to the public.
What is a signing statement?
a presidential announcement made at the time of signing legislation that notes how the new law will be interpreted and any objections the president might have towards it.
What is a justiciable question?
a question that may be raised and reviewed in court.
What are executive orders?
a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.
What do Article I, Section mince no words about?
affirming that new Congress would be given broad powers to unify nation and secure it.
When did race become a major factor in the re-drawing of Congressional maps?
after the passage of the 1982 amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
What are independent regulatory commissions?
agencies created by Congress to exist outside the major departments to regulate a specific economic activity or interest. First is Interstate Commerce Commission in 1887, the Federal Trade Commission in 1914, and the FCC in 1934.
The longest section of the Constitution's longest Article aimed to ___________ and thereby _____________.
aimed to enumerate the main powers of Congress and thereby resolve hard questions of federalism, separation of powers, and rights.
What is important about floor access? Who controls it?
all members desire floor time to pass and present legislation. floor access is granted by majority and minority leaders. Power of recognition to Speaker and Senate majority leader.
What is the necessary and proper clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18)?
allows Congress to make laws that are deemed to be necessary to carry out expressed powers.
What is congressional oversight?
an effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies. Purpose to locate inefficiencies, abuses of power, to explore agency intentions, and to reform agencies.
What is a pocket veto?
an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.
What is an executive agreement?
an international agreement, usually regarding routine administrative matters not warranting a formal treaty, made by the executive branch of the US government without ratification by the Senate.
What is pork barrel legislation?
appropriations made by legislative bodies for local projects that are often not needed but that are created so that local representatives can win re-election in their home districts.
What does the Senate's Advice and Consent powers allow them to do?
approve any Presidential treaties, executive and judicial appointments.
What is judicial review?
authority of the judiciary to make a judgement on issues of constitutionality.
What are government corporations?
business run by the government. AMTRAK, TVA
What is a private bill?
bill in Congress to provide specific person with some kind of relief.
Advise and consent provides approval but not _______.
breaking
What has increased powers of President?
broad Congressional statutes that leave specific implementation responsibility to executive agencies and departments through delegation.
How do legislators provide constituent service?
by talking to constituents, providing them with minor services, presenting special bills, attempting to influence decisions of regulatory committees, and helping them apply for Federal benefits.
How is the president elected?
by winning the majority of electoral college votes.
Why was the Constitution a superior law to an act of Congress?
came from superior lawmaker: the American people.
Where do most bills die?
committee
What is agency representation?
constituents have power to hire and fire.
What is habeus corpus?
court order that individual in custody must be brought to court and shown reason for detention.
In which type of law can you be punished by a fine or imprisonment?
criminal law
What are the two categories of law?
criminal law and civil law
What is an incumbent?
currently holds office and is up for re-election.
What are the four types of opinions made by the supreme court?
unanimous, majority, dissenting, and concurrent.
What are conference committees?
joint committees created to work out a compromise on varying House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation.
What did Article II oblige president to do?
defend constitution
What is stare decisis?
doctrine that means "let the decision stand." The doctrine that a previous decision by a court applies as a precedent in similar cases until that decision is overruled.
What interests are House members more considerate towards?
due to small size, homogeneous nature of constituents, along with short terms, they are more considerate of local interests. Also place more priority on current interests.
What is a bureaucracy?
large organization that is structured hierarchically to carry out specific functions.
When is the census taken to determine population used to redraw Congressional districts?
every 10 years. Population shifts are handled by reapportionment.
What is the Hatch Act of 1939?
federal law whose main provision is to prohibit federal employees (civil servants) from engaging in partisan campaigns/politics.
How many acts of Congress has the Supreme Court concluded directly violated the Constitution?
fewer than 160.
What is an amicus curiae brief?
filed by third party that as an interest in the outcome of a case and serves as a "friend of the court."
Core privilege in both England and America aimed to ensure that legislatures remained _________________.
forums for robust political discourse.
What provides incumbents advantages in elections?
gerrymandering name recognition casework campaign financing
What is fiscal policy?
government adjusts its spending levels and tax rates to monitor and influence a nation's economy.
What are independent agencies?
government agencies that operate separately from the executive departments, even though president appoints secretary. NASA, NSA, CIA.
Boudemine v. Bush
habeus corpus fundamental right.
In what form must bills pass?
identical form.
In Federalist 78, when can there be no liberty?
if power of judging be not separated from legislative and executive powers.
What is a plaintiff? A defendant?
initiates lawsuit. Carries out lawsuit.
What is one of the most important tasks of bureaucracy?
issue more detailed and specific indications of what Congressional policy will mean.
What do the words "I" and "Me" remind us about Presidency?
it is America's most personal office.
According to Hamilton in Federalist 78, what do force, will, and judgement have to do with the judiciary?
it may truly be said to have neither force nor will, but merely judgement; and must depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments.
Liberty has nothing to fear from judiciary alone, but everything to fear from __________.
its union with either of other departments.
What was the outcome of the United States v. Nixon (1974) decision?
limited executive privilege.
What is earmarking?
members of Congress insert into bills language that provides special benefits for constituents.
What is a filibuster?
members of Senate can prevent action on legislation through continuous speaking until majority backs down.
America's chief executive would be __________ and much more ____________.
much less than an English king and much more than a standard state Governor.
What are the key characteristics of successful challengers to incumbents?
name recognition independently wealthy incumbent gaffe
Where did Constitution give general authority to Congress to end slavery?
none
What did Section 8s final clause (Necessary and Proper) sweep over?
not downward over states but sideways against other federal branches.
What is a writ of certiorari?
order for lower courts to send upper courts case record for review. Grants petition for review.
What is a writ of mandamus?
order from court directing public official to perform specific act or certain thing.
What are leadership PACs?
organizations members of Congress use to raise money and distribute to party members facing re-election.
Freedom from fear of our own military ranks among _____________.
our greatest blessings of liberty.
What are Whips?
party leaders who work with the majority leader or minority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party.
What are constituents?
people that members of Congress represent within a district.
What are standing committees?
permanent committees that remain in each Congress. They have the power to propose and write legislation.
Only punishment that can result from American impeachment is _____________.
political punishment
What are the three powers the President uses to direct foreign policy?
power to make treaties for the United States, power of diplomatic recognition, and power to make executive agreements.
What are expressed powers? What are they for President?
powers directly stated in the constitution Make treaties, grant pardons, appoint executive officials and judges, command military, receive ambassadors, power to participate authoritatively in legislative process.
What are delegated powers?
powers given to president by Congress.
What does Article I, Section 6 provide?
privilege of Congressional members from certain kinds of arrest during attendance in Congress. Only pertains to civil cases.
What is apportionment?
process of allocating congressional seats among 50 states.
What is gerrymandering?
process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.
What is patronage?
providing a government job to someone in exchange for their political support.
What are sunset laws?
require periodic review of agencies, may not be extended Gives agencies a "death date"
How is President use of force domestically limited by the Constitution?
requires state legislators to request federal troops before they are deployed, unless it is necessary for national security, to enforce federal court order, or to protect federally guaranteed civil rights.
What is executive privilege?
right of president to withhold information from or refuse to appear before a legislative committee.
How many petitions for review are submitted to the Supreme Court each year?
roughly 7,000-9,000 each year.
What does bureaucracy literally mean?
rule by offices and desks.
What is the head of each executive department called?
secretary
Who usually serves as president pro-tempore of Senate?
senior most member from majority party.
What is main responsibility of First Spouse?
serve in a head of state aspect, receive dignitaries, and host dinners and other events.
What is significant about the Pendelton Civil Service Act of 1873?
sought to imitate the business model by eliminating "spoils" system and implementing the "merit" system. Required appointees to public office be qualified, as measured by competitive exams, for job they were appointed to.
What interests are Senators more considerate towards?
state-wide interests.
What is the significance of the War Powers Resolution?
states that president can send troops into action abroad only with authorization of Congress or if American troops are already under attack or serious threat. Required President to inform Congress of any planned military action, and stipulated that forces must be withdrawn within 60 days unless Congress acts to extend military action.
What are select committees?
temporary committees that do not have power to present legislation. Highlight or investigate particular issue. Senate Watergate Committee of 1973, House Select Committee on Benghazi.
Who are the masters of the President?
the American people.
What level of Federal Courts serve as the primary stepping-stones for Supreme Court Justices?
the federal appellate courts.
What is bicameralism?
the governmental structure, which includes two different houses in the legislature. In Congress it is the House of Representatives and the Senate.
What is the weakest and least dangerous branch of the government?
the judicial branch
What is the solicitor general?
the law officer directly below the attorney general in the US Department of Justice, responsible for arguing cases before the US Supreme Court.
Why does the task of re-drawing Congressional maps usually lead to conflict?
the party that controls the state legislature tries to gain an advantage.
What is the spoils system?
the practice of rewarding government jobs to loyal supporters of the party that wins an election.
What is legislative initiative?
the president's implied power to bring a legislative agenda before Congress.
What is cloture?
the process by which three-fifths of the Senate can end a filibuster.
What is log rolling?
the reciprocal process of trading votes.
What is the purpose of a congressional conference committee?
these committees are charged with working out a compromise on legislation that has been passed by House and Senate but in different versions.
What do advocates of judicial activism believe?
they believe that the Court should go beyond the words of the Constitution or a statute to consider the broader societal implications of its ruling. Courts should take an active role in checking the activities of the other branches.
What is the function of the Majority and Minority leader?
they control the Senate's calendar, or agenda for legislation.
What do advocates of the philosophy of judicial restraint believe?
they refuse to go beyond the clear words of the Constitution in their interpretations. They prefer a literal reading of the document. Courts should defer decisions to the executive and legislative branch, because they are elected by the people.
What is the purpose of the State of the Union?
to discuss legislative agenda, give Congress information on issues.
What are the basic goals of the Federal Bureaucracy?
to perform duties efficiently to save taxpayers money.
How long is money appropriated for the army?
two years
