AP Gov Test

5 examples of enumerated powers

Raise federal budget, raise tax revenue, coin money, declare war, manage military

Example of implied power

Creating a national bank

Example of non-legislative power (non-lawmaking)

Impeachment

House qualification (age, term length)

25, 2 years

Senate qualification (age, term length)

30, 6 years

Powers of House

Initiates revenue bills, impeaches officials, breaks Electoral College tie

Powers of Senate

Confirms appointments, approves treaties, holds impeachment trials

Majority & Minority Leaders job

Guide party strategy and coordinate votes

Whips job

Count votes and enforce party discipline

Majority-Minority Districts

Districts to give racial/ethnic minorities a majority to increase representation

Descriptive Representation

Representative looks like constituents

Substantive Representation

Representative acts for constituents’ interests regardless of identity

Incumbency Advantages

Name recognition, fundraising dominance, constituent services, franking

Franking

Members of Congress send mail to constituents for free

Caucuses

Groups of members united by interest or demographic

What influences Congress?

Caucuses and congressional staff

Committees

Specialized groups that handle specific tasks in Congress

Bill → Law Process

Introduction in House or Senate, sent to Committee, sent to first chamber, sent to second chamber, Conference Committee if versions differ, final vote in House and Senate, President signs or vetoes

Appropriation Bills

Bills that authorize spending of federal money, must start in the House

Pigeonhole

Never bringing a bill up for debate

House Rules Committee

Decides time limits and whether amendments are allowed in debate

Ways and Means Committee

House committee that handles taxes, tariffs, Social Security, and revenue legislation

Quorum (House: ?, Senate: ?)

Minimum number needed to conduct business (House: 218, Senate: 51)

Double Tracking

Senate sets aside a filibustered bill so other work can continue

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Spending for local projects meant to politically help a district

Gerrymandering

Redrawing districts to give a party an advantage

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established “one person, one vote” by letting federal courts review redistricting

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Established that race can't be the dominant factor in drawing districts