CONGRESS QUIZ

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established that redistricting cases are justiciable under the Equal Protection Clause and led to the principle of one person, one vote.

Wesberry v. Sanders (1963)

Ruled that congressional districts within a state must have roughly equal populations to ensure equal representation.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Held that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional if race is the predominant factor without sufficient justification.

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Seventeenth Amendment

Established the direct election of U.S. Senators by voters instead of state legislatures.

Presentment Clause

Requires that all bills passed by Congress be presented to the president for approval or veto.

Advice and Consent

The Senate's power to approve presidential appointments and ratify treaties.

Appropriation

A law passed by Congress that authorizes spending money for a specific purpose.

Casework

Assistance provided by members of Congress to help constituents solve problems with federal agencies.

Closed rule

A House rule that limits or prohibits amendments to a bill during debate.

Cloture

A Senate procedure that limits debate on a bill, requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster.

Committee of the Whole

A House procedure that speeds up debate by lowering quorum requirements.

Conference committee

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

Congressional caucus

A group of members of Congress who share common interests or policy goals.

Constituents

The residents of a congressional district or state whom an elected official represents.

Delegate representation

A model of representation in which legislators vote based on the preferences of their constituents.

Discharge petition

A petition signed by House members to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor.

Divided government

When one political party controls the presidency and another controls Congress.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic in which senators delay or block legislation by extending debate.

Franking privilege

Allows members of Congress to send mail to constituents without paying postage.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of district boundaries to favor one political party or group.

Hold

An informal Senate practice where a senator delays a bill or nomination.

Incumbency advantage

The benefits current officeholders have that increase their chances of reelection.

Legislative oversight

Congress's power to review and monitor the executive branch.

Logrolling

An agreement among lawmakers to trade votes to pass legislation.

Mark up

The process by which congressional committees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation.

Open rule

A House rule that allows any member to offer amendments to a bill.

Politico representation

A model where legislators balance their own judgment with constituents' preferences.

Pork barrel

Government spending on local projects intended to benefit a legislator's district.

Quorum

The minimum number of members required to be present for Congress to conduct official business.

Reapportionment

The redistribution of House seats among states after the census.

Redistricting

The redrawing of electoral district boundaries, typically done by state legislatures.

Rider (nongermane amendment)

An unrelated amendment added to a bill to help it pass.

Rules Committee

A powerful House committee that determines the rules for debate on legislation.

Safe seat

An electoral district that is strongly dominated by one political party.

Single member district system

An electoral system where voters elect one representative per district.

Standing committee

A permanent congressional committee that specializes in specific policy areas.

Trustee representation

A model where legislators use their own judgment to make decisions.

Unanimous consent

A Senate procedure allowing business to proceed if no senator objects.

Congress

The central policymaking and principal representative branch of the federal government.

Intentions of the Founders

To create a powerful but limited legislature that represents the people while preventing tyranny.

James Madison

Primary architect of the Constitution who supported a strong Congress to control factions and prevent tyranny.

George Washington

Warned against political parties but supported a strong national legislature.

Thomas Jefferson

Favored limited national power and strong state governments.

John Adams

Supported rule of law and a balanced government.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature divided into two chambers.

American Bicameralism

The system of two legislative chambers (House and Senate) designed to slow lawmaking and force compromise.

Connecticut Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress with population-based representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

House of Representatives

Lower chamber of Congress with 435 members serving 2-year terms based on population.

House Characteristics

More centralized, hierarchical, party-disciplined, and has limited debate.

House Powers

Initiates revenue and appropriation bills and has sole power of impeachment.

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress with 100 members serving 6-year staggered terms.

Senate Characteristics

Smaller, less centralized, more individual power, unlimited debate.

Senate Powers

Confirms nominations, ratifies treaties, and tries impeached officials.

Speaker of the House

Most powerful House member who controls agenda, committee assignments, and bill referrals.

Majority Leader

Schedules legislation and manages floor debate for the majority party.

Minority Leader

Leads the opposition party and organizes party strategy.

Whips

Party leaders who count votes and enforce party discipline.

President Pro Tempore

Senior member of the Senate majority party with mostly ceremonial duties.

Vice President

Presides over the Senate and breaks tie votes.

Select Committee

A committee created for a specific purpose, often temporary.

Joint Committee

A committee composed of members from both chambers.

Descriptive Representation

Representation in which lawmakers share characteristics with their constituents.

Substantive Representation

Representation in which lawmakers act in the interests of constituents.

Incumbent

The current officeholder seeking reelection.

Credit Claiming

Taking public credit for bringing benefits to a district.

Open Seat

A congressional seat without an incumbent running.

Census

A population count conducted every 10 years.

Packing

Concentrating opposing voters into a few districts.

Cracking

Spreading opposing voters across many districts.

Racial Gerrymandering

Drawing districts primarily based on race; unconstitutional.

Closed Rule

Restricts or prohibits amendments in the House.

Rider

An unrelated amendment added to a bill to help it pass.

Divided Government

When different political parties control Congress and the presidency.

Veto Override

A congressional action requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to override a presidential veto.

Pocket Veto

Occurs when the president takes no action and Congress adjourns.

Iron Triangle

A relationship among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Budget Reconciliation

A process that allows budget-related bills to bypass the filibuster.

Unorthodox Lawmaking

Leadership-driven lawmaking that bypasses traditional committee processes.