Character and Functions of the Senate

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the character, structure, and functions of the U.S. Senate and the legislative process.

Gravitas

Respect, seriousness, and moral weight expected from Senators.

Exemplary Citizens

Senators are expected to embody virtues like honesty, dignity, and propriety.

Aristocratic Club

The perception of the Senate as an exclusive group akin to political elite.

Incubators of Ideas

Senators help develop and refine policies creating the intellectual foundation for laws.

Indirect Election

Method by which Senators were originally elected by state legislatures before the 17th Amendment.

Direct Election

Process initiated in 1913 allowing the public to elect their Senators.

Longer Terms

Senators serve six-year terms, allowing for deeper deliberation than House Representatives.

Eligibility for Senate

Senators must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and a state resident.

Trustee Approach

Senators vote based on their own judgment rather than strictly reflecting constituents' views.

Broader Constituency

Senators represent a state-level constituency rather than localized interests.

Filibuster

A tactic where a senator speaks indefinitely to delay legislation.

Cloture Vote

A procedure to end a filibuster requiring 60 votes, limiting debate time afterward.

Unanimous Consent

A procedure that helps speed up Senate processes but can be blocked by one senator.

Promotion of State Culture

Senators advocate for their state's interests on a national stage.

Common Welfare

Senators aim to ensure the national well-being and broader good of the country.

Deliberation

Thoughtful debate and wise decision-making expected in the Senate.

Noble Endeavors

The high ideals that the Senate aims to uphold in its functions.

Legislative Process

The series of steps bills go through from introduction to becoming law.

Committee Action

The assignment of bills to committees for detailed work and public hearings.

Public Debates

Discussions among members of Congress about bills, often influenced by prepared positions.

Conference Committee

A group that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Presidential Action

The decision by the president to sign, veto, or take no action on a bill.

Pocket Veto

A bill not becoming law if Congress is adjourned and the president takes no action.

Legislative Oversight

Congress's role in ensuring proper implementation of laws and aligning executive actions.

Police Patrol,

Active oversight by Congress through hearings.

Fire Alarm

Reactive oversight addressing specific constituent concerns as they arise.

Bias Toward Status Quo

Tendency of the legislative process to maintain existing systems rather than make major changes.

Decentralized Decision-Making

Power distributed across committees, which can slow decision-making processes.

Criticisms of Congress

Including inefficiency, unrepresentative nature, ethical concerns, and lack of individual responsibility.

Inefficiency

A criticism indicating Congress's slow system burdened by bureaucracy and gridlock.

Unrepresentative

Congress's failure to accurately represent the diversity of American society.

Ethical Concerns

Issues related to corruption, special interest influence, and lack of transparency in Congress.

Lack of Individual Responsibility

The challenge of establishing accountability due to the collective nature of Congress.