Congress: Structure, Powers, and Legislative Processes in U.S. Government

What is the total number of representatives in the House of Representatives?

435 representatives

What is the minimum age requirement to be a member of the House of Representatives?

25 years old

What special duty does the House of Representatives have regarding money bills?

All money bills (taxes and/or spending) originate in the House.

Who is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives?

The Speaker of the House

What is the term length for a member of the House of Representatives?

Two years

What is the minimum age requirement to be a senator?

30 years old

How many senators does each state have?

Two senators

What is the term length for a senator?

Six years

What special duty does the Senate have regarding presidential appointments?

The Senate approves presidential appointments and nominations with a majority vote.

What is the role of the Vice President in the Senate?

The Vice President only votes in instances of a tie.

What is the purpose of the Necessary and Proper Clause?

It gives Congress the authority to pass laws deemed necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated functions.

What is a discharge petition in the House of Representatives?

A procedure that allows a bill to be brought to the House floor if a simple majority (218 members) signs it.

What is the Committee of the Whole?

A unique House procedure that allows for more relaxed rules and longer debate on a bill.

What is the role of the House Rules Committee?

It determines which bills reach the floor for a vote and schedules debates.

What is a filibuster?

A prolonged debate in the Senate aimed at delaying or preventing a vote on a bill.

What is required to end a filibuster?

A cloture vote, which requires a 3/5 majority.

What is the process for voting in the House of Representatives?

Methods include voice vote, division vote, and recorded vote.

What is logrolling in the context of voting?

The practice of trading votes to gain support for a bill.

What happens during the markup stage in committee?

Committee members amend the bill until they are satisfied.

What is the purpose of conference committees?

To reconcile differences between different versions of a bill from both houses.

What percentage of bills introduced in Congress typically become law?

About 9% (e.g., in the 115th Congress, only 115 out of over 13,000 bills became law).

What is the role of the Majority and Minority Leaders in Congress?

They guide their party's legislative agenda and strategy.

What is the significance of the President Pro Tempore in the Senate?

Typically the longest-serving senator in the majority party, elected via unanimous consent.

What is the function of a whip in Congress?

To enforce party discipline and ensure members vote according to party lines.

What is pork barrel legislation?

Legislation filled with extraneous spending provisions used to secure votes.

What is a rider in legislative terms?

A non-related bill added to another bill likely to pass the Senate.

What happens when a bill passes both the House and Senate?

It moves on to the President for approval.

What are the three choices a President has when a bill reaches them?

Sign the bill, veto the bill, or do nothing (pocket veto).

What is a pocket veto?

If Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law after 10 days if the President does nothing; if not in session, it does not become law.

What are the two types of government expenditures?

Mandatory spending (entitlement programs) and discretionary spending.

What is mandatory spending?

Government spending required by law, including programs like Social Security and Medicare.

What is discretionary spending?

Government spending that Congress debates and approves annually, including defense and education.

What is partisan voting?

When members of Congress vote based on their political party affiliation rather than personal opinion.

What is polarization in Congress?

When political attitudes move toward ideological extremes.

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing legislative districts to benefit the political party in power.

What are the requirements for legislative districts?

Districts must be contiguous, have an equal number of inhabitants, and be compact.

What was the issue in Baker v. Carr (1961)?

Whether the Supreme Court had jurisdiction over questions of legislative apportionment.

What was the holding in Baker v. Carr?

Yes, state reapportionment claims are justiciable in federal court.

What was the main issue in Shaw v. Reno?

Whether a racially gerrymandered district raised a valid constitutional issue under the 14th Amendment.

What was the outcome of Shaw v. Reno?

Yes, the bizarre shape of the district suggested an effort to separate voters based on race.

What is divided government?

When different parties control the Legislative and Executive branches.

What are the voting options for a Congressman?

Trustee (votes based on personal judgment), Delegate (votes based on constituents' interests), or Politico (a combination of both).

What is the role of the White House Office?

To equip the President to perform their duties.

What is the Cabinet?

A group of advisors nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to carry out laws.

What is the National Security Council?

An advisory body to the President on foreign policy and military matters.

What is the role of the President as Chief of State?

To act as the ceremonial head of the United States.

What does the President do as Chief Executive?

Acts as the head of government and oversees the execution of laws.

What is the President's power of veto?

The authority to stop a bill passed by Congress from becoming law.

What happens if a President does not sign a bill during a congressional session?

The bill automatically becomes law after 10 days, excluding Sundays.

What are the formal powers of the President in foreign policy?

The President serves as Commander in Chief and negotiates treaties, which must be ratified by the Senate.

What are executive agreements?

Informal agreements made by the President with foreign leaders that do not require Senate ratification.

What is the purpose of executive orders?

To direct executive officials to manage the federal bureaucracy and implement laws.

Give an example of a significant executive order.

The Emancipation Proclamation or the establishment of the Peace Corps.

What are signing statements?

Documents issued by the President to inform Congress and the public of their interpretation of laws.

What is the blue slip precedent?

A practice where home state senators must approve a nominee for certain judicial appointments.

What positions require Senate confirmation?

Cabinet members, US ambassadors, US attorneys, and federal judges.

Why are judicial appointments considered consequential?

Judges serve for life, influencing the judiciary's direction and legal interpretations.

What is the 22nd Amendment?

An amendment that limits the President to two terms in office.

What is the order of presidential succession?

Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, and then Cabinet members in order of their offices' establishment.

What role does the Vice President play?

Presides over the Senate and determines presidential disability.

What is the significance of Federalist #70?

It argues for a unitary executive as the most effective means of executing laws.

What has contributed to the expansion of presidential power?

Factors include Congress's inaction, the U.S.'s global role, technological changes, and the military-industrial complex.

What is the State of the Union address?

A constitutionally required speech where the President reports on the state of the nation.

How did Theodore Roosevelt influence presidential communication?

He used newspapers to shape public discourse and coined the term 'bully pulpit' to describe the presidency's influence.

What was Franklin D. Roosevelt's approach to communication?

He used radio to connect with Americans and build trust during the Great Depression and WWII.

What role did television play in John F. Kennedy's presidency?

Kennedy mastered television to gain public support and demonstrated the power of visuals in elections.

How did Barack Obama utilize social media during his presidency?

He extensively used social media to connect with younger voters and communicate directly.

What concerns arose from Donald Trump's use of social media?

His direct communication raised questions about the benefits and risks of instantaneous presidential messaging.