AP Gov: Congress, Lawmaking, and Key Concepts

Congress

Legislative branch that makes laws; established in Article I of the U.S. Constitution

Bicameral legislature

A two-house legislature (House of Representatives and Senate)

Great Compromise

Agreement creating a bicameral Congress with representation by population (House) and equal representation (Senate)

House of Representatives

435 members, based on population, 2-year terms, more responsive to the public

Senate

100 members (2 per state), 6-year terms, more stable and deliberative

Enumerated powers

Powers of Congress explicitly listed in the Constitution

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers

Implied powers

Powers not directly stated but assumed through the Elastic Clause

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate interstate trade

Bill

A proposed law

Public bill

A bill that affects the general public

Private bill

A bill that affects a specific individual or group

Standing committee

Permanent committee that reviews bills

Select committee

Temporary committee created for a specific purpose

Joint committee

Committee with members from both House and Senate

Conference committee

Committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

Gatekeeping

Power of committees to block bills from reaching the floor

Rules Committee

House committee that determines rules for debate (time, amendments, etc.)

Filibuster

Senate tactic where debate is extended to delay or block a vote

Cloture

Procedure to end a filibuster with 60 votes

Trustee model

Representative uses their own judgment to make decisions

Delegate model

Representative votes based on constituents' wishes

Politico model

Combination of trustee and delegate roles

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to benefit a political party

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries after the census

Oversight

Congress monitoring the executive branch

Speaker of the House

Leader of the House; controls agenda and legislative process

Majority Leader (Senate)

Main leader in the Senate who controls legislative agenda

Vice President role in Senate

Presides over Senate and casts tie-breaking votes

Impeachment

Formal charge against a government official (House impeaches, Senate tries case)

Revenue bills

Bills related to taxes; must originate in the House

Advice and consent

Senate power to approve treaties and presidential appointments

Step 1 of lawmaking

Bill is introduced

Step 2 of lawmaking

Bill is sent to committee

Step 3 of lawmaking

Committee holds hearings and markup (most bills die here)

Step 4 of lawmaking

Rules Committee sets debate rules (House only)

Step 5 of lawmaking

Bill is debated on the floor

Step 6 of lawmaking

Bill is voted on

Step 7 of lawmaking

Bill goes to the other chamber

Step 8 of lawmaking

Conference committee resolves differences

Step 9 of lawmaking

Final vote in both chambers

Step 10 of lawmaking

President acts (sign, veto, or pocket veto)

Pocket veto

President ignores bill and it dies if Congress is not in session

Where do most bills die

In committee

Why is the House more responsive to the public

Short 2-year terms

Why is the Senate slower and more deliberative

Unlimited debate and filibuster

What increases congressional power the most

Elastic Clause

Why is lawmaking difficult

Checks and balances + bicameralism