GOVT 2305 Final Exam: Public Policy, Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy & Courts

Public Policy

Steps of the Policy Process

Triggering Event

Something happens that draws attention to a problem (crisis, report, protest, etc.)

Define the Problem

How the issue is framed shapes what solutions are seen as possible.

Agenda Setting

Politicians decide whether the issue is important enough to address.

Policy Formulation

Congress, experts, and bureaucracies propose solutions.

Budgeting

Congress funds (or refuses to fund) the policy.

Policy Adoption

Congress passes a law OR an agency issues a regulation.

Implementation

Bureaucracy carries it out.

Evaluation

Government reviews whether the policy worked.

Keynesian Economics

Government should spend more during downturns and tax less to stimulate economy.

Supply-Side Economics

Lower taxes & regulation to encourage investment.

NCLB (No Child Left Behind)

Standardized testing, accountability for schools, federal oversight.

ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act)

Replaced NCLB, more flexibility for states, still requires testing but less federal control.

Incumbent Advantages

Name recognition, fundraising networks, casework for constituents, franking privilege, media exposure, gerrymandering.

Congressional Leadership

House: Speaker of the House, Majority/Minority Leaders, Whips; Senate: Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Whips, VP.

David Mayhew - 'Congress: The Electoral Connection'

Members of Congress are 'single-minded seekers of reelection.'

Committee System & Lawmaking

Most bills die in committee. Committees specialize and review legislation.

Pigeonholing

Committee kills a bill by ignoring it.

House Rules Committee

Sets debate rules (time limits, amendments).

Germane Amendments

Relevant to the bill (required in the House).

Non-Germane Amendments

Allowed in Senate (riders).

Logrolling

'You vote for mine; I vote for yours.'

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay a vote; ended with cloture (60 votes).

Sign

becomes law

Veto

Congress can override with 2/3

Do nothing

after 10 days: If Congress is in session → law; If Congress adjourns → pocket veto

Declare war

Approve treaties

(Senate)

Approve funding for foreign programs

Confirm ambassadors

Oversight hearings on foreign policy actions

Invisible Primary

Fundraising & exposure

Open primary

anyone can vote

Closed primary

only party members

Caucus

meeting + discussion voting

Frontloading

states try to vote earlier for more influence

National Conventions

Nomination formalized

General Election

Nationwide popular vote

Electoral College

270 to win

Chief Legislator

Signs/vetoes bills, pressures Congress

Chief Diplomat

Treaties, foreign relations

Chief Executive

Head of bureaucracy

Executive Orders

Directives with force of law

Executive Privilege

Keep communications secret (U.S. v. Nixon limits)

Presidential power

is the power to persuade.

Iron Triangle

Congressional committees, Interest groups, Bureaucratic agencies work together to shape policy and protect each other.

Bureaucratic Discretion

Agencies decide how to implement laws.

Legislative Veto

unconstitutional now - Congress used to overturn agency rules quickly.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established Judicial Review — power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Dual Court System

State courts, Federal courts each has its own jurisdiction and trial/appellate system.

5 Factors in Judicial Decision-Making

Constitution & Law (text/original intent), Precedent (Stare Decisis), Judicial Philosophy, Activism vs. Restraint, Political attitudes/ideology, Public opinion & societal context.

Current Supreme Court Ideological Makeup

Conservative majority: 6 (Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett); Liberal minority: 3 (Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson)