AP Government Congress and Presidency: Powers, Process & Cases

What article establishes the Legislative Branch?

Article I of the Constitution

What is the structure of the Legislative Branch?

A bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

How is representation determined in the House of Representatives?

Based on population, favoring larger states.

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

2 years

What is the term length for a senator?

6 years, with staggered classes (1/3 up for election every 2 years).

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

At least 25 years old.

What is the minimum age requirement to be a senator?

At least 30 years old.

What is the process of dividing House seats among states called?

Apportionment.

What is redistricting?

The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries after the census.

What is gerrymandering?

The intentional redrawing of district lines to benefit a specific political party or group.

What is the incumbency advantage?

Institutional perks that make it difficult for challengers to win, often higher in the House than in the Senate.

What is the franking privilege?

Free mail service for members of Congress to communicate with constituents.

What are the broad categories of congressional power?

Lawmaking, budgeting and revenue control, oversight.

What is the primary power of Congress?

Lawmaking: passing national policy legislation.

What does the Necessary and Proper Clause do?

Gives Congress implied powers to carry out its enumerated powers.

What are the six steps of a bill in Congress?

Introduction, Committee Assignment, Committee & Subcommittee Action, Floor Consideration, Resolving Differences, Presidential Action.

What is a filibuster?

Unlimited debate used in the Senate to stall a bill, requiring a 60-vote threshold to overcome.

What is the delegate model of representation?

Voting strictly according to the direct preferences of constituents.

What is the trustee model of representation?

Using personal knowledge and judgment to make decisions for the common good.

What is the politico model of representation?

A hybrid approach balancing constituent desires, party loyalty, and national interests.

What is partisanship?

Strong allegiance to one's political party.

What is bipartisanship?

Cross-party cooperation to pass legislation.

What is gridlock in lawmaking?

A slowdown or total halt in lawmaking caused by intense partisan division, especially during divided government.

What is descriptive representation?

When Congress demographically mirrors the nation.

What is substantive representation?

When members advocate for the policy interests of underrepresented groups regardless of demographics.

What is mandatory spending?

Spending locked in by existing laws, such as entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

What are entitlement programs?

Government programs guaranteeing benefits to those who qualify by law, regardless of income.

What is discretionary spending?

Spending that Congress and the president debate and adjust annually, such as defense and education.

What is the difference between deficit and debt?

Deficit is when government spending exceeds revenue in a single fiscal year; debt is the accumulation of all past annual deficits.

What does Article II of the Constitution establish?

It establishes the Executive Branch and outlines the powers of the president.

What are the qualifications to be president?

Natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and resident of the U.S. for 14 years.

What does the 22nd Amendment state?

It limits presidents to two terms.

What is one key role of the president as Chief Executive?

Head of the federal bureaucracy; enforces laws and issues executive orders.

What is the role of the Cabinet?

It consists of 15 major executive department heads appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

What is the president's role as Chief Diplomat?

Directs foreign policy and negotiates treaties, which require 2/3 Senate ratification.

What is the president's role as Chief Legislator?

Shapes the legislative agenda via the State of the Union Address, vetoes bills, and lobbies Congress.

What is the president's role as Commander in Chief?

Civilian head of the military; commands troops and can respond rapidly to foreign crises.

What is executive privilege?

The president's right to keep internal discussions and documents confidential from Congress and the courts.

What is the War Powers Resolution?

A law restricting the president's ability to commit troops abroad for more than 60 days without congressional authorization.

What is impeachment?

The House can charge a federal official by a majority vote; the Senate holds a trial and can remove them with a 2/3 conviction vote.

What is judicial review?

The power of the Supreme Court to declare executive orders or actions unconstitutional.

What is Federalist No. 70 about?

Argues for a single, energetic executive to ensure speed and decisiveness in protecting the nation.

What is the core purpose of the Gettysburg Address?

Reaffirms the democratic ideals of equality and popular sovereignty.

What was the issue in Baker v. Carr (1962)?

Whether Tennessee's failure to redraw legislative districts violated the Equal Protection Clause due to malapportionment.

What was the ruling in Shaw v. Reno (1993)?

Redistricting based predominantly on race violates the Equal Protection Clause; race can be a factor, but not the primary factor.