Gov Quiz - The Senate, Bicameralism, Powers of Congress, and Lawmaking

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress with equal state representation; designed to be more deliberative and stable.

Equal Representation

Each state gets 2 Senators, protecting small states’ interests.

Term Length (Senate)

6 years staggered so only 1/3 are up for election every 2 years.

President of the Senate

Vice President; rarely votes, except to break ties.

President Pro Tempore

Senior member of the majority party; largely ceremonial but in line of presidential succession.

Filibuster

Senate tactic using unlimited debate to delay or block legislation; NOT in the Constitution.

Cloture

Vote to end debate and stop a filibuster; requires 60 votes

Unanimous Consent

Informal Senate agreement to speed up business; one Senator can block it.

Holds

Informal practice allowing a Senator to delay a bill or nomination; not a law or rule.

Advice and Consent

Senate power to approve treaties and presidential appointments.

Treaty Ratification

Requires 2/3 vote of the Senate.

Confirmation

Senate approval of judges, ambassadors, and Cabinet members.

Powers of Congress - Raising Revenue

Power to tax; revenue bills must start in the House.

Powers of Congress - Coining Money

Congress controls currency value and production.

Powers of Congress - Maintaining the Armed Forces

Congress funds the military; President commands it.

Powers of Congress - Declaring War

Only Congress can declare war, though presidents often engage forces without formal declarations.

Powers of Congress - Passing the Federal Budget

Congress controls spending priorities, a major source of power.

Powers of Congress - Necessary & Proper Clause

Allows implied powers beyond those explicitly listed (Elastic Clause).

Committees - Def

Small groups where most real lawmaking and oversight occurs.

Committees - Standing Committee

Permanent; handles specific policy areas (judiciary, armed services, etc.).

Committees - Conference Committee

Temporary; resolves differences between House and Senate bills; disbands after use.

Committees - Committee Membership

Reflects party balance in each chamber; majority party dominates.

Committees - Committee Chair

Majority party leader who controls agenda, hearings, and votes.

Committees - Ranking Member

Highest-ranking minority party member on the committee.

Committees - Seniority

Long service increases influence; traditionally used to choose chairs.

Committees - Changes to Committee Chairs (1995)

Newt Gingrich limited chair terms, weakening committees and strengthening party leadership.

Lawmaking Process - How a Bill Is Introduced

Introduced by a member of Congress; leadership assigns it to committee.

Lawmaking Process - Markup

Committee stage where amendments are added, often through logrolling (I cosponsor you; you cosponsor me) or pork (allocating government funds for specific projects that primarily benefit a legislator’s district, often to enhance their electoral prospects).

Lawmaking Process - Germane Amendments (House)

Amendments must be directly related to the bill’s topic.

Lawmaking Process - Unlimited Debate (Senate)

No limit on debate or amendments; enables filibusters.

Lawmaking Process - Conference Committee Step

Required when House and Senate versions differ.

Lawmaking Process - Presidential Action

President signs into law or vetoes.

Lawmaking Process - Veto Override

Requires 2/3 vote in both chambers; rare.

Legislative Oversight - Def

Congress monitors executive agencies to ensure laws are followed.

Legislative Oversight - Oversight Hearings

Committees investigate spending, misconduct, or executive actions; often political.

Politics and Strategy - Coalitions & Caucuses

Informal groups formed around ideology, region, or interests.

Politics and Strategy - Pork Barrel Legislation (Earmarks)

Federal spending added to benefit specific districts.

Politics and Strategy - Logrolling

Vote trading: “I’ll vote for yours if you vote for mine.”

Politics and Strategy - Divided Government

Different parties control Congress and the presidency; often leads to gridlock.

Politics and Strategy - Gridlock

Inability to pass legislation due to polarization or rules like the filibuster.

Politics and Strategy - Ideological Divisions

Deep differences in political beliefs between members or parties.

Politics and Strategy - Partisan Votes

Voting strictly along party lines.

Representation Models - Delegate

A representative who votes the way their constituents want, even if they personally disagree.

Representation Models - Politico

Balances delegate and trustee roles depending on issue.

Laws vs. Rules - Laws

Constitutional requirements that cannot be changed easily.

Laws vs. Rules - Rules

Procedures each chamber sets for itself; can be changed by majority vote.

Lame Duck

An elected official whose term is ending and whose political influence has declined because they will soon leave office.

Constituent

A person who lives in a representative’s district or state and is represented by that elected official.

Representation Models - Trustee

A representative who uses their own judgment to vote in what they believe is the public’s best interest.