PSCI 2306- Exam 3: Part 2 (Texas Legislative Branch and U.S Congress Flashcards)

How often does the Texas Legislature meet in regular session?

The Texas Legislature meets 140 days each year.

When does the Texas Legislature convene?

The legislature convenes on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years.

Who has the power to call special sessions of the Texas Legislature?

The governor may convene special sessions.

Who sets the agenda for special sessions of the Texas Legislature?

The governor sets the agenda for special sessions.

How have governors used the threat of a special session?

Governors use the threat to focus legislators on favored policy areas.

How many total members serve in the Texas Legislature?

There are 181 members in the Texas Legislature.

How many members are in the Texas House?

There are 150 members in the Texas House.

How many members are in the Texas Senate?

There are 31 members in the Texas Senate.

What type of districts are used to elect members of both chambers?

Members are elected from single-member districts.

How often are the district boundaries redrawn?

District boundaries are redrawn every decade after the U.S. Census.

How long are the terms of office for members of the Texas House?

Members of the Texas House serve two-year terms.

How long are the terms of office for members of the Texas Senate?

Members of the Texas Senate serve four-year terms.

How are Senate terms staggered?

Approximately one-half of the Senate is elected every two years.

How much do Texas legislators earn per year?

Texas legislators earn $7,200 per year.

What is the per diem allowance for Texas legislators?

$190 for every day the legislature is in session.

What is the total compensation for a Texas legislator in a session year?

$33,800, including salary and per diem.

What are the constitutional qualifications for serving in the Texas House?

At least 21 years old, registered voter, legal resident for two years.

What are the constitutional qualifications for serving in the Texas Senate?

At least 26 years old, registered voter for five years, resident for one year.

What are the informal characteristics of the Texas Legislature's membership?

Historically homogeneous, mostly white, conservative, and male.

Why is incumbency a major advantage in Texas legislative races?

Incumbents have name recognition and better fundraising opportunities.

What happens if the Texas Legislature fails to pass a redistricting plan after the Census?

The Legislative Redistricting Board is responsible for redistricting.

What is the difference between a general bill and a special bill?

General bills apply statewide; special bills provide exceptions for specific individuals.

What is the difference between a simple resolution and a joint resolution?

Simple resolutions are passed by one chamber; joint resolutions require both chambers.

Which resolution is used to propose amendments to the Texas Constitution?

Joint resolutions are used to propose amendments.

How does the Texas Senate confirm gubernatorial appointments?

Confirmation requires a majority vote.

What is senatorial courtesy?

A tradition where senators respect each other's appointments.

What is required for the Senate to approve gubernatorial appointments?

A minimum of two-thirds of the senators present must be in favor.

What administrative powers does the Legislature have over state agencies?

The Legislature can create, abolish, and redefine state agencies, require reporting, and approve budgets.

What was the approved biennial budget for 2025?

$338 billion, with 70% allocated for Education and Health and Human Services.

Which chamber of the Texas Legislature has the power to impeach?

The House of Representatives.

What happens after the House impeaches an official?

The Senate tries the case.

What immunities do Texas legislators have during session?

They cannot be sued for slander and are privileged from arrest, except for treason, felony, or breaking the peace.

What are the powers and duties of the Lieutenant Governor in Texas?

The Lieutenant Governor appoints Senate committees, assigns bills, and serves on several boards.

How is the Speaker of the House chosen?

The members of the House elect the Speaker at the start of each new session.

What are the responsibilities of the Speaker of the House?

Maintain order during debate, sign bills, appoint committee members, and refer legislation to committees.

What is the difference between permanent and temporary committees?

Permanent committees continue from one session to the next, while temporary committees, like conference committees, are formed for specific purposes.

Why do committees matter in the legislative process?

They influence which bills are considered and can shape legislation significantly.

What is the difference between an initiative and a referendum?

An initiative is proposed by citizens, while a referendum is proposed by the legislature or local governing bodies.

Where in the Constitution is Congress established?

Congress is established in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution.

What does Article I of the U.S. Constitution establish?

It establishes that all legislative powers are vested in a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

How long is a term of Congress?

A term of Congress lasts 2 years.

What is a session of Congress?

Each year of a term is called a session.

What number Congress are we currently in?

We are currently in the second session of the 119th Congress.

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

There are 435 members in the House of Representatives.

When was the number of House members frozen?

The number was frozen by a law enacted in 1910.

What are the qualifications to serve in the House of Representatives?

Must be 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and a resident of the state represented.

What are the qualifications to serve in the Senate?

Must be 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and a resident of the state represented.

How are House members elected?

They are elected through direct elections based on population.

What does Westberry v. Sanders (1964) require?

It requires that each congressional district within the states be apportioned on the basis of equal population.

How were senators originally chosen?

Senators were originally appointed by state legislatures.

What changed the way senators are chosen?

The 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, requires direct election of senators.

Who is the presiding officer of the Senate according to the Constitution?

The Vice President of the U.S. is the president of the Senate.

Who holds real power in the Senate?

The Senate Majority Leader holds real power in the Senate.

What is the difference between reapportionment and redistricting?

Reapportionment is reallocating seats after a Census; redistricting is redrawing district lines.

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is drawing district lines to protect or change political power.

What are the enumerated powers of Congress?

Powers include taxation, spending, regulating interstate commerce, declaring war, and confirming appointees.

What is the 'Necessary and Proper' Clause?

It allows Congress to make laws necessary for executing its powers.

What is a bill of attainder?

A legislative act declaring an individual guilty without a trial, which Congress is prohibited from passing.

What is an ex post facto law?

A law that makes an act a crime after it was committed, which Congress is prohibited from passing.

How do checks and balances work between Congress and the executive branch?

Congress passes bills, the president signs or vetoes them, and Congress exercises oversight.

What does the demographic profile of Congress look like?

Many members are white, upper middle class, and primarily lawyers, businesspeople, and doctors.

What is the typical reelection rate for incumbents?

Incumbents have a large advantage in elections, with high reelection rates, typically with a 90% or higher success rate.

What is the hard part of getting elected to Congress?

Getting elected the first time.

What advantages do incumbent members of Congress have?

They have recognizable names and can raise money more easily.

What is casework in the context of Congress?

Assistance solving constituent problems with government agencies.

What is policy representation?

Congressional work to advance the issues and ideological preferences of constituents.

What is allocative representation?

Congressional work to secure projects, services, and funds for the district.

What is symbolic representation?

Efforts of members of Congress to stand for American ideals or identify with common constituency values.

What is the difference between descriptive and substantive representation?

Descriptive representation involves shared traits, while substantive representation involves shared views.

What is the delegate model of representation?

Representing constituents' views.

What is the trustee model of representation?

Using one's own judgment to make decisions.

What factors influence how members of Congress vote?

Political parties, the president, constituents, interest groups, and personal values.

What is hyperpartisanship?

Choosing party over constituent or national interest, worsens polarization.

How is party leadership structured in the House?

It is hierarchical and centralized within chambers.

Who is the current Speaker of the House?

Mike Johnson, R-LA.

Who is the current Majority Leader in the Senate?

John Thune, R-SD.

Who is the current Minority Leader in the House?

Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY.

What is the role of the House Rules Committee?

Sets the rules for debate in the House.

Why is the House Rules Committee called 'the Speaker's Committee'?

Because the Speaker uses this committee to control legislation.

What happens to most bills in committee?

They are often put in a pile and never seen again.

What is a discharge petition?

A petition to bring a bill out of committee for consideration.

What are the steps in the legislative process?

Bill introduction, committee action, floor action, conference committee, presidential action.

What is a filibuster?

A tactic used to stall a bill and keep it from coming to a vote.

How can the Senate end a filibuster?

Through a process called cloture.

How many votes are required for cloture on legislation?

60 votes.

How many votes are required for cloture on presidential nominees?

51 votes.

What is a conference committee?

A committee formed to reconcile differences in House and Senate bills.

When is a conference committee formed?

When different versions of the same bill are passed by the House and Senate and differences could not be resolved.

What is the role of the Majority Leader in the House?

The Speaker's chief lieutenant and the second most powerful figure in the majority party.

What is the role of the Minority Leader in the House?

Leader of the loyal opposition.

What is the role of Senate whips?

Assist floor leaders as vote counters.

What is the significance of the House Rules Committee's majority?

It has an extraordinary majority from the party that controls the House.

What happens if the President does not sign a bill within ten days?

It becomes law if Congress is in session.

What is a pocket veto?

When the President does not sign a bill and Congress is not in session, causing the bill to die.

What is the purpose of a mark-up session in committee?

To make changes to a bill.

What is the purpose of a report bill in committee?

It serves as documentation that explains and justifies the proposed legislation before sending the bill to the full chamber for a vote.