Texas HS Exam 2

What role does the White House Staff play in our goverment?

Executive Branch, they help the pres manage the adminstration’s legislative agenda, coord the overall message strategy. Includes Chief of Staff, National Security Advisor, Press Secretary

what are some of the organizations that make up the Executive Office of the President?

Office of Management & Budget, National Security

What role does the Vice President Play?

Vote in Senate if a tie, Head of NASA, maybe tasked foreign affairs, along with other random things.

What formal powers does the President have?

Lead armed forces, grant reprieves and pardons, make treaties w/ senate approval, appoints judges and justices, appoint executive officers, Call emergency session of congress, veto

what is the power to persuade?

Presidents have to be able to persuade people in order to get things done

what is the paradox of presidential power?

They are either strong in foreign or domestic settings

what is the difference between a cabinet system and a plural executive system?

Cabinet:1 on top, that one on top picks the people on the cabinet. Plural: we the people vote for the governor and for the other people (judges)

what are the constitutional qualifications for the Texas governor?

At least 30, Citizenship, Residency.

what are the powers and responsibilities of the Texas governor?

Legis. Power: they can call for special sessions and set the topic. They can veto current parts of the bill,

How powerful is the Texas governor?

Not that powerful unless things are in its favor.

Are there different conceptions of equality and the role the government plays in ensuring equality in the American political system? 

Equal opportunity (everyone gets the same chance) vs. equal results (government should help people more so everyone ends up equal), government is the one passing laws and protecting rights.

Which amendments grant certain protections for civil rights and what are these protections?

13th-Ended Slavery, 14th-Equal protection under the law, 15th-Black men allowed to vote, 19-women allowed to vote, 24th-ended poll taxes, 26th-lowered voting age to 18.

How has litigation been used to secure civil rights protections?

People take cases to court, the Supreme Court can rule laws unfair and protect rights. (Challenge discriminatory practices and policies)

How has legislation been used to secure civil rights protections?

Congress passes laws that protect people (laws against discrimination)

What role have social movements played in gaining government protection for civil rights?

Protests and movements help pressure the government to change laws and protect rights.

Have all groups received the same opportunities in the American political system?

No, minorities and women fought longer and continue to fight for rights.

How do we select a President?

Primaries, Caucuses, National conventions, general elections, Electoral College

In the U.S. government which branch is constitutionally dominant and why?

Congress (Legislative branch), it makes the laws and controls the money

What constitutional constraints are there on the Congress?

What is a committee and why does the legislature need them?

Small group of lawmakers, they study bills to make it faster

What are the different types of committees and what are the functions and characteristics of each type?

Standing- permanent, Select - temporary, Joint- House + Senate, Conference -fix differences in bills

How is Congress organized?

House of Representatives and Senate

What are some of the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate?

House:

• 435 members

• 2-year terms

• Based on population

Senate:

• 100 members

• 6-year terms

• 2 per state

Who are the duties and powers of the presiding officers in each chamber?

• House: Speaker of the House runs the chamber

• Senate: Vice President is the official leader, but the Senate also has other leaders

What are the organizations that assist congress in law making?

• Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

• Government Accountability Office (GAO)

• Library of Congress

How does a bill become a law?  Make sure you can describe each step of the process and identify the difference between the House and Senate process.

1. A bill is introduced

2. It goes to a committee

3. House and Senate vote on it

4. Both chambers must agree

5. The President signs it

Difference: The House is more strict with rules, the Senate allows more debate.