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What are the two houses of Congress?
House of Representatives and Senate (Bicameral Legislature)
How many members are in the House of Representatives? How are they determined?
435 members, based on state population
How long is a House member’s term? Why?
2 years, to be more responsive to public opinion
What special power does the House of Representatives have regarding money bills?
Revenue (tax) bills must originate in the House
What is the House’s roles in impeachment?
Bring charges (initiates impeachment)
How many members are in the Senate? How is representation determined?
100 member’s, equal representation (2 per state)
How long is a senator’s term? Why?
6 years, to be more insulated from public opinion
What role does the Senate play in impeachment?
Tries impeachment cases
What are the Senate’s unique powers?
Ratifies treaties
Confirms presidential appointments
What are Congress’s Enumerated power listed?
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution
Name three key Enumerated Powers of Congress
Taxation
Declaring war
Regulating commerce
What clause expands Congressional power?
The Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)
What type of power does the state governments have? And what are these power’s?
States governments have reserved powers which are:
Issuing licenses
Regulating intrastate business
Elections
Local governments
Education
What type of power do both the state and federal governments share? And what are these power’s?
State and Federal governments both have Concurrent powers which are:
Levying taxes
Operating courts
Building roads
Borrowing money
What are things that the federal government CANNOT do?
Suspend habeas corpus
Grant titles of nobility, pass ex post facto laws
What are things state governments CANNOT do?
Declare war
Print money
Enter treaties
What case upheld implied powers and allowed for a national bank
McCulloch v. Maryland
Who is the most powerful person in the House of Representatives
Speaker of the House
Who controls the Senate’s agenda?
Senate Majority Leader
What is a standing committee
A permanent committee
House Ways and Means
Senate Judiciary
What is a conference committee?
A committee that reconciles House and Senate versions of a Bill
What is a filibuster? Where does it occur?
A filibuster is a delay tactic in the Senate where a senator speaks indefinitely
How can the Senate end a filibuster?
With a Cloture (requires 60 votes)
Name three formal Powers of the president
Commander in Chief
Veto power
Negotiate treaties
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
With a 2/3 vote in both chambers
Name three informal powers of the president
Executive orders
Executive agreements
Bully pulpit —> position of being president, the terrific platform to advocate and speak out an agenda
What is the Wars Powers Act (1973)?
Limits the president’s ability to deploy troops without Congressional approval
What is a signing statement?
The president’s interpretation of a law upon signing it
What is the highest court in the U.S.
Supreme Court (9 Justices)
What is a Judicial Review? What case established it?
The power to declare laws unconstitutional; Marbury v. Madison (1803)
What is the difference between judicial activism and Judicial restraint?
Activism is more willing to overturn precedent; Restraint to elected branches
What does stare decisis mean?
“Let the decision stand” follows precedent
What is the main function of the bureaucracy?
Implements federal laws and regulations
Name three cabinet departments
State
Defense
Treasury
What is an independent Regulatory agency? Name them
An agency that enforces rule (Federal Reserve, SEC)
What are government corporations? Give an example
Businesses run by the government (USPS, Amtrak)
What is an iron triangle
A relationship between bureaucracy, interest groups, and Congress that influences policy
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Flashcard (127)