Unit 2 gov

House of Representatives

One of the two parts of Congress.

Senate

One of the two parts of Congress.

Bicameral Congress

A structure to balance the interests of small and large states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation for each state in Congress; influenced the structure of the Senate.

Virginia Plan

Proposed representation based on population; influenced the structure of the House of Representatives.

Qualifications for the House of Representatives

Must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and live in the state they represent.

Terms for the House of Representatives

Two-year terms; short terms keep representatives accountable to the voters.

Specific powers of the House

Initiating revenue bills, impeaching federal officials, and electing the President in case of an electoral college tie.

Qualifications for the Senate

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and live in the state they represent.

Terms for the Senate

Six-year terms; staggered elections ensure stability and experience.

Voting for Senators

Originally, state legislatures voted for senators; now, the public votes for them.

Specific powers of the Senate

Confirming presidential appointments, ratifying treaties, and conducting impeachment trials.

Determining House members and Senators

House members are based on state population; each state has 2 Senators regardless of population.

Purpose of a Census

To count the population every 10 years; important for apportioning House seats and allocating federal funds.

Head positions of the Senate

Vice President (presides over sessions) and President Pro Tempore (presides in VP's absence).

Speaker of the House

Oversees House proceedings, sets the legislative agenda, and represents the House in official capacities.

President of the Senate

Presides over Senate sessions and casts tie-breaking votes.

Majority Leader

Sets the legislative agenda, strategizes for the majority party, and manages Senate floor proceedings.

Minority Leader

Represents the minority party, strategizes for the minority party, and acts as the spokesperson for the minority party.

House Majority Leader

Assists the Speaker in managing the legislative process and sets the legislative agenda for the majority party.

House Minority Leader

Represents the minority party, strategizes for the minority party, and acts as the spokesperson for the minority party.

House districts determination

State legislatures determine House districts in most states.

California House districts process

California uses an independent redistricting commission.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage; undermines fair representation.

Special interest group

An organization that advocates for specific issues or policies.

Influence of special interest groups

By lobbying, funding campaigns, and mobilizing voters.

Special interest groups

An organization that advocates for specific issues or policies.

Lobbying

The act of influencing legislators through various means such as funding campaigns and mobilizing voters.

Lobbyist

A person who represents special interest groups and tries to influence legislators.

Role of lobbyists

They provide information, draft bills, and advocate for their group's interests.

Good for democracy

Special interest groups and lobbyists represent diverse interests and provide expertise to legislators.

Bad for democracy

They can lead to undue influence and prioritize narrow interests over the public good.

Discretionary spending

Spending that is decided annually by Congress.

Mandatory spending

Spending that is required by law.

Examples of discretionary budget items

Defense, education, and infrastructure.

Examples of mandatory spending items

Social Security, Medicare, and interest on the national debt.

Impact of larger debts on a budget

Larger debts increase interest payments, reducing funds for other priorities.

Primary sources of revenue for the federal budget

Income taxes, payroll taxes, and corporate taxes.

Ways a bill can be introduced into Congress

By a member of Congress, through committees, or by request from the President.

Private bill

A bill that affects specific individuals or organizations.

Public bill

A bill that applies to the general public.

Standing committee

Permanent committees that handle specific areas of legislation.

Examples of standing committees

House Ways and Means Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee.

Purpose of a joint committee

Committees that include members from both the House and Senate to address specific issues.

Examples of joint committees

Joint Committee on Taxation, Joint Economic Committee.

Purpose of subcommittees

Subdivisions of standing committees that focus on specific aspects of legislation.

Examples of subcommittees

House Subcommittee on Health, Senate Subcommittee on Energy.

Purpose of a conference committee

To reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Examples of conference committees

Conference Committee on the Budget, Conference Committee on the Farm Bill.

Filibuster

A prolonged speech to delay legislative action in the Senate.

Stopping a filibuster

It is stopped by a cloture vote requiring a supermajority (60 votes).

Bill approval process

Approval by both the House and Senate, then it is sent to the President for signature.

President veto

The bill is rejected; Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

Signing a bill

It becomes law.

Pocket veto

Occurs when the President does not sign a bill within 10 days and Congress is adjourned.

Outcome if President doesn't sign or veto a bill

If Congress is in session, the bill becomes law without the President's signature after 10 days.

Qualifications to run for president

Must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen of the U.S., and a resident for at least 14 years.

Presidential term length

Four-year term; can serve a maximum of two terms.

Purpose of a primary election

To select a party's nominee for the general election.

Votes during a general election

The popular vote and the electoral vote.

Determination of electoral college votes

Based on the number of representatives and senators from each state.

Electoral votes

Each state gets a number of electoral votes equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress.

Winner of a presidential election

The candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes (270 or more) wins the election.

Arguments for the electoral college system

Protects minority interests, promotes a two-party system, and prevents disputed outcomes.

Arguments against the electoral college system

Can result in a president who did not win the popular vote, creates unequal representation, and can discourage voter turnout.

Executive order

An executive order is a directive from the President that has the force of law. It differs from a congressional law as it does not require approval from Congress.

President as Head of State

Represents the nation, performs ceremonial duties, and symbolizes national unity.

President as Chief Executive

Enforces laws, directs executive agencies, and oversees the federal bureaucracy.

President as Commander in Chief

Leads the armed forces, makes military decisions, and ensures national security.

President as Chief Diplomat

Manages foreign relations, negotiates treaties, and represents the U.S. internationally.

President as Legislative Leader

Proposes legislation, vetoes bills, and influences lawmaking.

President as Economic Planner

Manages the economy, prepares the federal budget, and addresses economic issues.

President as Party Leader

Leads their political party, supports party candidates, and promotes party policies.

Change of presidential power over time

Presidential power has expanded, with presidents taking on more roles and responsibilities, especially in areas like foreign policy and national security.

Events leading to expansions of presidential power

Crises such as wars, economic downturns, and national emergencies often lead to expansions of presidential power.

Historical event changing presidential power

The Great Depression led to increased presidential power under Franklin D. Roosevelt, who implemented the New Deal programs to address the economic crisis.

Role of the Executive Cabinet

The Executive Cabinet advises the President on various matters and helps implement policies and programs.

Purpose of the Department of State

Manages foreign affairs, represents the U.S. abroad, and negotiates treaties.

Purpose of the Department of Defense

Oversees the armed forces, ensures national security, and manages military operations.

Purpose of the Department of Treasury

Manages federal finances, collects taxes, and produces currency.

Levels of the federal court system

The federal court system has three levels: District Courts (trial courts), Courts of Appeals (appellate courts), and the Supreme Court (highest court).

Terms of the Supreme Court justices

Supreme Court justices serve lifetime terms; they are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Supreme Court confirmation process

The President nominates a candidate, who is then reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Committee holds hearings, votes on the nomination, and sends it to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote.

Court packing

Court packing refers to the idea of increasing the number of justices on the Supreme Court to shift its ideological balance.

Judicial Review

Judicial Review is the power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of the government unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of Judicial Review, significantly increasing the power of the Supreme Court.

Judicial Activism

When judges make rulings based on personal or political considerations rather than existing law.

Judicial Restraint

When judges limit their own power by avoiding making decisions that create new policy and instead adhering closely to the letter of the law.

Original Jurisdiction

Refers to a court's power to hear a case first.

Precedent

Previous court decisions that guide future cases.

Bicameral

A legislative system with two chambers or houses.

Qualifications of House

Must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and live in the state they represent.

Qualifications of Senate

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and live in the state they represent.

Powers of House

Initiates revenue bills, impeaches federal officials, and elects the President in case of an electoral college tie.

Powers of Senate

Confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, and conducts impeachment trials.

Filibuster

A tactic in the Senate to delay or block legislative action by extending debate.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor a particular political party, often resulting in unfair representation.

Census

A population count conducted every 10 years to apportion House seats and allocate federal funds.

Special Interest Groups

Organizations that advocate for specific issues or policies and attempt to influence lawmakers.