Legislative Branch (Congress)

Bicameral Legislature

2 House Legislative Branch (House/Senate) -- Created by the Great Compromise

House of Representatives

Lower house of Congress where representation is based on a state's population

Reapportionment

Reallocation of number of seats of each state in the House of Representatives based on the state's population

Gerrymandering

Redrawing of congressional districts to benefit one party

Members of the House of Representatives

435 total members; represent a district of a state

Terms of House of Representatives

2 years; unlimited amount of terms

Incumbent

the representative who currently holds the seat (and is running for reelection)

Incumbency Effect

Incumbents have an advantage in each election -- constituents know the representative, $$, etc. *especially impacts the House -- shorter terms*

Senate

Upper house of Congress; Equal representation for all states

Members of the Senate

100 total members; 2 per state

Terms of the Senate

6 years; unlimited amount of terms served

Trustee Model of Representation

a model of representation in which representatives follow their own belief system system as they feel they have been "entrusted" by their constituents

Delegate Model of Representation

a model of representation in which representatives follow their constituents' beliefs about a certain topic/legislation.

Politico Model of Representation

a model of representation in which representatives act as a Delegate for important votes, and Trustee for lesser votes

Constituent

a person who a member of Congress represents

Partisan Model of Representation

representative votes along party lines and does not concern their own or their constituent's beliefs

Committee Power in Congress

Committees are were all legislative work is complete (draft, revising, marking up, expert review)

Majority Rule in Congress

Party who wins the majority of seats in the House/Senate has most power (assigns to committees, holds top positions, etc.)

Speaker of the House

leader of the majority party in the House who serves as the leader of the chamber -- assigns members to Committees, etc.

Majority Leader (House/Senate)

leader of the majority party who is elected by their own members.

Minority Leader (House/Senate)

Leader of the minority party who is elected by their own members

President Pro Tempore

Daily leader of the Senate in place of the VP

Vice President

Constitutionally head of the Senate; only votes in event of a tiebreaker

Congressional Whips

Make sure members of the party are voting in the "right" ways; knowing how each member will vote for the vote

Filibuster

tactic used in the SENATE to delay the vote on a piece of legislation

Logrolling

an agreement/arrangement between members of Congress to vote for one another's bills

Pork Barrel Legislation

legislation that gives benefits and focus to their constituent. EX: Rep Bowman (NY-16) proposes a bill for the reconstruction of the Bronx River Parkway

Committee of Ways and Means

Committee that is in the HOUSE only -- responsible for all revenue bills

Why does the House of Representatives control all revenue bills?

It is believed that the House of Representatives is closer to their constituents, so when changes in taxes occur, it should be proposed in the House

Rules Committee (House)

Known as the "Speaker's Committee" -- sets all rules for procedure & debates

TRUE/FALSE: The House of Representatives has strict rules for debates on legislation

TRUE -- due to the size of the chamber (435 members) -- there are strict rules set by the Rules Committee on debate times

TRUE/FALSE: The Senate has strict rules for debates on legislation

FALSE -- the Senate has less strict rules on debate that are typically agreed upon by all Senators (this is why filibusters can happen)

Simple Majority in the House

218

Simple Majority in the Senate

51

Super Majority in the House

~290

Super Majority in the Senate

60 or 67

Cloture

A vote of 60 to end the filibuster in the Senate

Congressional Oversight

Power used by Congress to gather information about a piece of legislation or government action

Presidential Veto

President's authority to reject a bill passed by Congress

Congressional Veto

2/3 of both houses of Congress can override a presidential veto

Pocket Veto

president's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days

Line-Item Veto

UNCONSTITUTIONAL -- President cannot veto one section of a bill -- vetos all/none

Impeachment Process in Congress

House of Representatives begins the process by issuing "impeachment papers"; Senate holds a trial and finds federal officer guilty/not guilty

Necessary & Proper Clause/Elastic Clause

Clause in Article 1, Section 8 that gives Congress the power to make any law they deem necessary and proper for the time frame

Standing Committee

Permanent committee

Select Committee

A temporary committee that is created for a particular issue or investigation

Joint Committee

Committee that includes members of the House & Senate

Conference Committee

Specific form of Joint Committee where members of the House & Senate meet to create 1 version of the bill to send to the President

Nuclear Option (Senate)

Procedure that allows the Majority Leader of Senate to change rules of amount of votes needed for a pass -- EX -- change the vote needed to pass to 51, rather than 67

Other powers of Congress

- Creates a national military

- Established federal courts (# of justices)

- Impeachment

- Taxes

- Coin money

- Establish post offices

- Declare War & Ratifies Treaties

- Governs Washington D.C.

Divided Government

One party controls the White House and one party controls Congress