AP Gov Review Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Govn't

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the HOR every 10 yrs based on the census

Redistricting

Each state determines how to divide electoral district seats by setting new boundaries for congressional seats; happens every 10 years

Gerrymandering

Manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor 1 party, class, or race

What are the Chamber Size for HOR and Senate?

HOR = 435

Senate = 100

How do the differences in chamber sizes and constituencies influence the formality of debate in the HOR and Senate?

• House size makes the debate formal because theres a lot more people to hear from

• Senate size is smaller and long terms make debate less formal than HOR

What are the term yrs for members of the HOR and the Senate?

HOR: 2yrs

Senate: 6yrs

Regarding powers/areas of specialization, what is the HOR known for?

• Revenue bills must originate here

• Ability to impeach

• Elect POTUS if there’s a tie in the electoral college

Regarding powers/areas of specialization, what is the Senate known for?

• Advice + consent

• Impeachment trial

• Approves treaties and foreign policy

• Confirming presidential appointments

• Ratifying treaties

What are enumerated powers of Congress that significantly increase their power?

• Taxation

• Regulating commerce

• Military powers (declaring war)

• Establishing post offices

• Coining money

• Creating lower federal courts

• Immigration and naturalization

• Establishing rules of naturalization

How does the Necessary and Proper Clause impact the amount of power Congress has?

It stretches the power of Congress to do anything they think is necessary to carry out their job

What does the policymaking process look like?

1. Legislation is brought up

2. It is then sent to a committee where they can ask for reports/testimony

3. The bill is amended and sent back for a full vote

What role do committees serve in Congess?

they review and amend bills before everyone can vote on it

Standing Committee

• Reviews and amends legislation

• HOR: Rules Committee Ways

• Senate: Fiance Committee

Select Committee

Temporary committee set up for a certain topic

Ex: Watergate Select Committee

Conference Committee

Temporary committee b/w HOR and Senate to resolve difference when there are 2 different versions of the same bill

Speaker of the House

• In the HOR

• Office mandated by the constitution

• Chosen by the majority party

• Has formal and informal powers

• 2nd in line for POTUS

President of the Senate

• In the Senate

• VPOTUS

• Cast's tie-breaking vote

• Maintains order

Committee Leadership

• In both the HOR and the Senate

• Leaders of committees in both houses who are the most influential positions

Filibuster

• Happens in the Senate

• Strategy unique to the Senate where they can use their unlimited debate time to kill a bill

• New record has recently been set for the longest filibuster in history.

Cloture

• In the Senate

• Procedure used to limit debate and to force a vote

Hold

• In the Senate

• A tactic used by a Senator to temporarily block a bill/nomination

Unanimous Consent

• In the HOR and the Senate

• All members of a group agree to a proposal without a formal debate/vote

Rules Committee

• In the HOR

• Committee that reviews most bills coming from a House Committee before they go to the full house

Committee of the Whole

• In the HOR

• Procedure used to expedite the consideration of a piece of legislation

Discharge Petition

• In the HOR

• Bringing a bill out of committee and to the floor for consideration without a report from the committee

Congress’s role in the creation of the federal budget

• Power to proportion the to different agencies

• Power to tax, therefore = revenue = funding

• Checks POTUS budget

• Sets spending targets and revenue estimates

Discretionary Spending

Govn’t spending not mandated by law and can be adjusted annually

Ex: military funds

Mandatory Spending

• Required bylaw and cannot be easily changed

• Funded through programs and interest payments on the national debt

• Ex: Social security

What is the biggest part of America’s discretionary spending?

Defnse spendind

Budget Deficit

Occurs when a govn’t’s spending is higher than it’s revenue

What impact does cutting taxes have on a budget deficit?

Negative impact because of decrease in revenue and an increase in spending

Ideological Divisions within Congress

• Differences in political beliefs and priorities in congress

• Makes it difficult to pass legislation/reach a compromise

Divided Government

A political situation in which different parties control different branches of government, often leading to gridlock and challenges in passing legislation.

Lame Duck Sessions

• POTUS who has not won re-election or is at the end of the 2nd term

• When the least amount of legislation is being done

Trustee

A member of Congress who makes decisions based on their personal judgment and the common good, rather than strictly adhering to the wishes of their constituents.

Delegate

A member of Congress who acts according to the preferences of their constituents, prioritizing their wishes over personal judgment.

Politico

They take into account their own opinions and what their consitutants want

Precendent Set in Baker v. Carr 1961

• One person, one vote

• Set that SCOTUS can rule on state redistricting class

Significant Facts of Shaw v. Reno 1993

• District in NC was drawn in include a large black population so a black representative would be elected

• Voters sued under 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause

• SCOTUS ruled the district must be redrawn

Precedent Set in Shaw v. Reno 1993

• Districts must be compact and contiguous

• State legistators cannot draw a district based on race

Veto

• Constitutional power of POTUS to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it

• 2/3 vote in each house can overturn a POTUS veto

Pocket Veto

• A type of veto occurring when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to POTUS

• POTUS lets the bill die by vetoing or not taking any action towards the bill

Treaty Negotiation

• Agreement b/w 2 or more sovereign states

• Senate has to ratify treaties with a 2/3 vote

Executive Agreements

• Agreement b/w POTUS and the head of another country

• Congress can limit their impact by cutting of funds

Commander in Chief

• POTUS’s role as the leader of the US military

• Congress declares war, controls fund for the military, and oversees military operations

Executive Orders

• Regulations originating with the executive branch

• One methods POTUS can use to control the bureaucracy

• Congress can write a law to override it, but POTUS can veto that too

Signing Statement

• These statements explain a POTUS’s interpretation of a bill, their understanding of what is expected, and commentary on the law

• Limited if SCOTUS rules them unconstitutional

Pardon

• Allows POTUS to forgive criminal sentences

• Congress can impeach POTUS for this

• Judicial review is required

Appointment

• POTUS appoints and removes staff from White House

• Senate must confirm all appointments

What kind of executive was set forth in Federalist 70?

1, powerful, strong, energetic POTUS

Why did Hamilton argue 1 POTUS is the best type of executive?

• Forces accountability for blame

• No hiding if a mistake was made

How did the 22nd Amendment restrict the power of POTUS?

Sets a term limit POTUS can serve; 2 terms = 4 years

What POTUS greatly expanded the power of the executive?

FDR and the New Deal

Bully Pulpit

A platform that POTUS can advocate for their agenda and influence public opinion

How can POTUS use the power of the bully pulpit to advance policy wishes?

• They speak out on issues they want

• If someone doesn’t vote the POTUS’s way, POTUS will ruin their political image

State of the Union

• Speech explaining what is happening in the country that POTUS needs to give

• It helps POTUS by making them look strong on political issues, problems, and solutions

What is the power of the Judicial Branch?

To determine if actions/bills are legal and constitutional

What was the holding in Marbury v. Madison

SCOTUS has the power of judicial review

Judicial Review

SCOTUS has the power to determine the constitutionality of a legislative act

According to Federalist 78, why was judicial review necessary?

The constitution is the “supreme law of the land” and bad laws have to be struck down. SCOTUS has the power to strike it down

How do judges get on SCOTUS?

• Appointed by POTUS

• Approved by the Senate

Stare Decisis

“Let the decision stand”; Goes to precedent already set

How can ideology of the Court change decisions/precedent over time?

• Liberal court will act to the left, conservative court will act to the right

• Liberal = bold decisions

• Conservative = state decisis

How is the Court insulated from public opinion?

• They are not elected by the people

• Life term

How can controversial/unpopular decisions challenge the Court’s legitimacy?

These decisions challenge the Court’s legitimacy by ending public trust

Judicial Activism

Bold decisions in the Court

Judicial Restraint

Leave legislation to other branches and focuses on constitutionality

What can Congress do if they disagree with a judicial ruling?

Attempt to pass a constitutional amendment

Bureaucracy

• Govn’t administrative system that manages government policies and regulations.

• Not elected

Cabinet

Board that advises POTUS

What do bureaucratic agencies do?

• Implementation, regulation, and administration

• Once a law is passed, they iron out the details of how it will work/implemt

Regulatory Commissions

Responsible for regulating activity in a certain area

Government Corporation

Govn’t corporation that charges for commercial activites/service

Ex: Post Office

Iron Triangle

Relationship between bureaucratic agencies, Congress, and interest groups that facilitates policy making and implementation.

Patronage

Giving favors/jobs in return for political support

Merit System

Appoints people based on merit/work

Bureaucratic Discretion

Ability of the bureacracy to make and enforce rules with their authority

Legislative Oversight

Oversee/review bureacracy in terms of constitutionality and $$

How can Congress control the bureaucracy?

Impeach, implement laws, cut off $$