gopo unit 5 and 2

What are the two chambers of Congress?

House of Representatives and Senate.

How many members in the House?

435 members.

House term length?

2 years.

House minimum age?

25.

House special powers?

Introduce tax/revenue bills.

House special powers (2)?

Impeach federal officials.

House special powers (3)?

Choose president if Electoral College tie.

How many senators?

100 (2 per state).

Senate term length?

6 years.

Senate minimum age?

30.

Senate special powers?

Confirm presidential appointments.

Senate special powers (2)?

Ratify treaties (2/3 vote).

Senate special powers (3)?

Hold impeachment trials.

Shared powers of Congress?

Make laws, declare war, raise armies, borrow money, regulate commerce, collect taxes, create federal courts.

Role of Speaker of the House?

Leads House, controls agenda, assigns bills to committees, 2nd in line for president.

Role of President Pro Tempore?

Presides over Senate when VP absent, usually longest-serving majority senator, 3rd in line.

Role of Majority Leader?

Schedules legislation, guides bills, manages party strategy.

Role of Minority Leader?

Leads opposition, debates, represents minority party interests.

Role of Party Whips?

Count votes and ensure party members vote with party.

Standing Committee?

Permanent committee that drafts/reviews laws.

Example of Standing Committees?

Judiciary, Armed Services, Ways & Means.

Select Committee?

Temporary committee created for investigations.

Conference Committee?

Members from House + Senate fix differences between bill versions.

What happens to most bills in committees?

They die in committee.

Majority Floor Leader?

Promotes party bills and manages debates.

Minority Floor Leader?

Challenges majority party during debates.

Filibuster?

Long Senate speech to delay/block a vote.

Cloture?

60 senators vote to stop a filibuster.

Discharge Petition?

218 House members force a bill out of committee.

Gridlock?

Government cannot pass laws due to disagreement.

Gerrymandering?

Drawing districts to favor a political party.

Packing?

Concentrate opposition voters in one district.

Cracking?

Spread opposition voters across districts.

Iron Triangle?

Relationship of Congress committees + bureaucracy + interest groups to influence policy.

President’s main job?

Enforce laws passed by Congress.

Chief Executive role?

Enforce laws and manage executive branch.

Commander in Chief role?

Controls the military.

Chief Diplomat role?

Conduct foreign policy.

Chief Legislator role?

Influences lawmaking.

Head of State role?

Symbolic leader of the nation.

Presidential powers?

Veto, pocket veto, executive orders, executive agreements, appointments, pardons, signing statements.

Total electors?

538.

Votes needed to win presidency?

270.

How are electors determined?

House + Senate + 3 from DC.

Winner-take-all system?

Most states give all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the state popular vote.

Arguments FOR Electoral College?

Protects small states, supports federalism, encourages national campaigns.

Arguments AGAINST Electoral College?

Candidate can win w/o popular vote, focuses on swing states, unequal vote influence.

Baker v. Carr (1962)?

Courts can hear redistricting cases; established 'one person, one vote.'

Shaw v. Reno (1993)?

Racial gerrymandering violates Equal Protection Clause.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)?

Corporations/unions can spend unlimited $ on political ads (free speech).

NY Times v. US (1971)?

Government cannot block publication (Pentagon Papers); protects freedom of the press.

Brutus 1 main points?

National gov’t too powerful, states lose power, large republic = bad representation.

Federalist 51 (Madison) main point?

Separation of powers & checks/balances prevent tyranny; 'ambition must counteract ambition.'

Federalist 70 (Hamilton) main point?

Single energetic president = fast decisions, accountability, strong leadership; plural executive = conflict & weak leadership.