Gov - Legislative Branch

House requirements for office

7 year citizen

live in the state

25 years old

House number of members

435

House constituency

Voters in their districts

House term length

2 years

Senate requirements for office

30 years old

9 year citizen

live in their state

Senate number of members

100

Senate constituency

voters in their state

Senate term length

6 years

Enumerated powers

levy taxes

borrow money

regulate commerce

establish a uniform rule of naturalization

coin money

provide for the punishment of counterfeiting

establish post offices

promote science and art (patents)

constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court

define and punish piracies and felonies

declare war

raise and support armies

provide and maintain a navy

make rules for the gov

provide for calling forth the militia

provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia

exercise exclusive legislation over DC

necessary and proper clause

Suspending the Writ of Habeas Corpus

The ability of congress to suspend the writ, meaning that they are not required by law to bring a prisoner before a judge prior to their detention (denied)

Ex post facto laws

Laws that punish someone for something that wasn’t illegal at the time they did it (denied)

Bills of attainder

A law that punishes a specific person or group of people without a judicial trial (denied)

Powers held solely by the House of Reps

if electoral college votes a tie, they choose the next president

proposes bills for raising revenue

initiates impeachment

Powers held solely by Senate

Approves or denies president’s appointments

ratifies treaties

tries impeached officials

presides over the counting of the electoral college votes to choose the next president

Checks that can be made in congress

both houses must pass a law, therefore being an intracheck

President can call special sessions of Congress

supreme court can rule federal laws unconstitutional

president can veto legislation

congress can propose a constitutional amendment to override US supreme court decision (states must ratify)

Speaker of the House

elected by entire house, presides over sessions, sets the legislative agenda, appoints committee members, second in line to the presidency

House minority leader

Acts as spokesperson for minority party, develops opposition strategy, works to unite minority party

House majority leader

Represents majority party on the floor, schedules legislation, coordinates committee activities

majority/minority whip

Assists leadership by counting votes, ensuring member attendance, and enforcing party discipline on key votes

President of the senate

vice president, presides over senate, only votes to break ties

President pro tempore of the senate

presides in the VP’s absence, usually the longest serving member of the majority party

Senate majority leader

manages legislative agenda, schedules business, and negotiates with the minority leader to set debate rules

Senate minority leader

leads the opposition, develops party strategy, and protects minority rights in the senate

Standing committees

Permanent bodies with jurisdiction in a certain area such as foreign affairs, agriculture, commerce, small business.

16 in senate, 20 in house

Select committees

Are temporary and set up to investigate or research issues

can be disbanded when the issue or conflict is resolved

Joint committees

Members of House and senate join together to examine a certain subject

4 total

Conference committees

set up to iron out differences that appear when the House and Senate come up with different versions of a bill during debate

How many members are in most committees (house)

9-75

How many committees is each member on (house)

usually one major committee - policy specialists

Describe the most notable house committees and explain why they are important

Appropriations - committee’s power is its ability to disburse funds

Budget - oversight of government spending is watched and controlled

Rules - gatekeepers of the terms and on which legislation will reach the floor; sets time limit on debate and determines whether and how a bill may be amended

Ways and means - taxation rules, tariff issues, benefits and social security

Judiciary - handles impeachment charges of federal officials including judges, ambassadors and cabinet members

Foreign affairs - one of the most powerful House committees on capitol hill which handles matters relating to foreign countries

How many members are in most committees (senate)

15-29

How many committees is each member on? (senate)

usually at least 2 major committee assignments - policy generalists

Describe the most notable Senate committees and explain why they’re so important

Appropriations - federal discretionary spending programs are set

Budget - oversight of government agencies and spending are done

Foreign relations - policy debates and treaty votes

Judiciary - judges and justices are debated

List and explain unique aspects of floor debate in the House

Debate is limited

no filibusters

amendments must be germane

uses a discharge petition - can pry a bill from committee so it can be sent to the floor of the ouse for consideration

List and explain unique aspects of floor debate in the senate

Extended debate

allows for filibusters

non-germane amendments can be offered

does not use discharge position

What is the process of a bill turning into a law?

1. an idea for a bill

2. Writing and introduction of a bill

3. committee action

4. floor action (in one branch)

5. approved bill crosses over to other house

6. conference committee

7. both chambers vote on final version of bill

8. president considers bill

Flanking privelage

free postage for politicians spreading their message

Party polarization

vote when majority of democrats oppose majority of republicans

Incumbent

those already holding a seat in office

Casework

specifically helping constituents get what they think they have a right to

Pork barrel

federal projects, grants, etc, made available in a congressional district or state (ex money for roads)

Bill

A proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not yet been passed, enacted, or adopted

Law

A bill or act passed by a legislative body

Delegate

duty to represent the folks back home

politico

a balance between delegate and trustee

Trustee

duty to vote according to their own conscience…whats best for district, nation as a whole

Public bill

proposed legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern and application

Private bill

a proposed legislative bill that deals with specific private, personal, or local matters rather than general affairs

Appropriation bill

legislative motion authorizing the government to spend money

simple resolution

measure dealing with housekeeping or procedural matters that only affect one house

joint resolution

measure when approved by both houses and the president carries the force of law

concurrent resolution

legislative motion that must be approved by both houses, but does not have the force of law

resolution

a measure expressing opinions on policies or issues

filibuster

members keep talking to block debate on a bill

senate

cloture

vote by 3/5 of senators can end a filibuster

signing statement

a written comment issued by a president at the time of signing legislation to help the public and congress understand their interpretation