u9 legislative branch

Trustee model

Model of representation where a member of the house or senate makes decisions based on their own opinion.

Instructed delegate model

Legislators represent constituents based on their views and not legislators own views

Politico

Hybrid model where legislators vote based on constituents for high profile things but follow their own opinions for less important manners

Pork Barrel

Legislators appropriations for special projects within congressional districts.

Earmark

Designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific cost

Casework

Work by a member of congress on behalf of a constituent to get something done

Ombudsperson

Role in which an elected or appointed leader acts as an advocate for citizens by listening to and investigating complaints against government agencies.

Delegate

Elected officials that act has a mirror of their constituents and will vote for what the constituents want, regardless of their own views.

How many representatives are in the house of reps?

435 members

Power of the purse

Power that house of reps has to tax and spend

How many are in the senate?

100 members

Congressional oversight

Process where congress checks the executive branch to make laws congress passes be effective.

Agenda setting

Process of congress determining public policy, whats important and needs to be addressed?

Bill

Proposed piece of legislation

Committee review

Group of experts on topics related to the bill review said bill

House and senate approval

Majority of house and senate must approve 2/3rds

Conference committee reconciliation

If approved, a committee will combine the versions of a bill passed in each house

Presidential approval

If the president signs a bill its a law, if he vetos it it goes back to congress but an be overridden by a 2/3 vote

Difference between Senate and House when introducing a bill

House: legislation is placed into a hopper infront of the house, legislation about money goes thru house of reps

Senate: senators may introduce new legislation on the floor.

Standing committees

Permanent with a specific and defined jurisdiction, 20 different standing comms

Select committees

Created to consider a specific policy issue or address a concern

Create public policy/ address controversial topics

Joint committees

Bicameral, administrative or managerial guidance

Subcommitee

Focus on a specific area within a committees jurisdiction, helps narrow the scope of the work

Committee within a committee

Agency Review

Consult the executive agencies that would carry out the new law on the process of doing so.

Hearings

Sessions held by committees where they can gather info and perspectives from experts

Reports

Once the bill has been clarified, a report is issued to the full chamber and explains its intent, then pass a discharge petition to send it to the house,

Rules Committee

If a house bill is discharged from committee it goes to these people where they decide the length and scope of debate

Filibuster

When senate tries to halt the passage of a bill, during that time a senator may speak on the floor for an unlimited amount of time.

Cloture

Procedural move which can end a filibuster if 60 senators agree to end debate

Nuclear Option

Maneuver excersised by the officer of the senate to override a standard rule within the senate

What are the presidents 4 choices regarding a bill

Sign it and pass, do nothing(it becomes a law in 10 days), veto and end it, or pocket veto (wait 10 days while congress is adjourned)

Hard Money V Soft Money

Direct contributions to a candidate

Contributions to parties or interest groups that support a candidate

Solidarity Incentives

Joining a cause for the sake of social companionship

Purpose incentives

Joining a cause because they support the causes ideals

Economic incentive

Joining a cause because the cause supports policies that materially benefit them

Direct method

actual contact between policymakers and representatives of an interest group

-Lobbying: process of hiring professionals to directly communicate with policymakers on an interest groups behalf, consists of meetings, buttonholing, telephone calls, and special events/receptions hosted by interest groups

Indirect method

intermediaries advocate for a cause or generally try to persuade the public

-Educating the public and government officials on issues of concern and how to address them

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Issue network

“fluid web” of connections created among those in a policy and those who can create and administer a policy.

Knowing people within the legislature

Iron Triangle

when making a policy there are three key groups that interact in order to create the policy congress, interest groups and bureaucracy

-These groups are inseparable since all three share the an interest and have expertise in the subject

Litigation

interest groups can ensure laws passed by executives align with the constitution

Climate Control

using public outreach to build good public opinion for an organization

Electioneering

working to influence the election of candidates that will support their issues

-Campaign contributions, endorsements, holding voter registration drives, all to rally support for a candidate

Lobbying

process of hiring professionals to directly communicate with policymakers on an interest groups behalf, consists of meetings, buttonholing, telephone calls, and special events/receptions hosted by interest groups