AP Gov - Congress

What are the four policy-making institutions in the U.S. government?

Congress, the President, the Bureaucracy, and the Courts.

How is Congress structured according to Article I of the Constitution?

Congress is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

What is the minimum age to serve in the House of Representatives?

25 years old.

What is the minimum age to serve in the Senate?

30 years old.

What is the key responsibility of Congress?

Voting on behalf of the people.

What model suggests that members of Congress vote to please their constituents?

Representational View (Delegate Model).

What model suggests members of Congress vote based on their personal beliefs?

Attitudinal View (Trustee Model).

What advantages do incumbents have in congressional elections?

Advertising, credit claiming, weak opponents, and campaign spending.

What is pork barrel spending?

Federal funding for localized projects to benefit constituents.

Who leads the House of Representatives?

The Speaker of the House.

Who presides over the Senate?

The Vice President.

What are the types of congressional committees?

Standing, Select, Joint, and Conference Committees.

What is the key purpose of a Conference Committee?

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

What is required for a bill to pass in both chambers of Congress?

A simple majority vote.

What does a pocket veto entail?

Letting a bill die by not signing it during a congressional recess.

What landmark case established the principle of 'one person, one vote'?

Baker v. Carr (1962).

What does gerrymandering refer to?

Drawing district boundaries to favor one party.

What is the definition of casework?

Assistance provided by members of Congress to help constituents resolve issues.

What is a cloture vote?

A vote to end a filibuster, requiring 3/5 of the Senate.

What are whips in Congress?

Members who manage party discipline and gather votes.