Studied by 22 people
Federalism
a way of organizing a nation so that 2 or more levels of gov share formal authority over the same area and people
Intergovernmental Relations
the entire set of interactions among national, state and local gov - that constitute the working federal system
Unitary Government
central government holds supreme power over a nation
State power
public services that are not really defined by the government
What powers are denied to states?
economic, individual rights, and foreign affairs
States and Economics
can't regulate international trades and tax imports or exports
States and individual rights
no slavery, bills of attainder, expost facto
States and foregin affairs
can't enter into treaties, declare war, or raise military
Supremacy Clause
establishes that the federal constitution, and federal law generally, take precedence over state laws, and even state constitutions.
Eleventh Amendment
soverign immunity, can't sue the government without its permission, can sue the state you live in but not other states (unless you have permission)
McCulloch v. Maryland
supremacy of national government over state government, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress had implied powers
Enumerated Powers
powers of the federal government that are listed in Constitution
Implied Powers
powers of the federal government that go beyond enumerated powers
Elastic Clause
congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" for carrying into execution
Commerce Power
Consitution gives Congress power to regulate interstate and international commerce
Gibbons v. Ogden
Supreme court interpreted Constitution and defined the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce
Full, faith and credit
requiring each state to recognize the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of all other states
Example of full, faith and credit
if you're married in Ohio, you are still married in Idaho
Extradition
a state surrenders a person charged with a crime to which the crime was allegedly committed
Privileges and Immunities
provision in constitution according citizens of each stae the privelages of citizens of any state they happen to be
Privileges and Immunities example
you're treated the smae way in any other state
Dual Federalism
system of gov in which states and national government each remain supreme within their own spheres, each w/ different powers and responsibilities
Cooperative Federalism
national government and the states share powers and policy assignments
Shared Costs
cities and states can recieve federal money if they pay part of the bill
Federal Guidelines
most federal grants to states and cities come with strings attached
Shared Administration
state and local officals implement federal policies
Devolution
transferring responsibility for policies from federal gov to state and local gov
Fiscal Federalism
pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the fed system; cornerstone of the national gov relations with state and local gov
Categorical Grants
federal grants given to state and local governments to encourage their cooperation in implementing specific purposes and programs.
Block Grants
awarded by the Federal government to state and local governments for broadly defined purposes — for example, social services or community development.
Mandates
Rules telling states what they must do to comply with federal guidelines. If unfunded they put a financial burden on state and local governments.
State(s) policy innovation
laborotory to test and develop natural public policy
Federalism Contribution to Democracy
opportunities to participate, access to government, local interests to thwart national majorities, too many offices to vote for, low voter turnout in local elections
National government involved in economic marketplace
quotes (to help american business), subsidies, regulations, national banking system, breaking up monopolies, rural electrification, price supports, unions right to organize
Why not state governments to solve the national government involved in economic marketplace probles?
The vote of the national governemnt has expanded and supplied states with more responsibilities. This means more power and more expectations
The United States v Lopez
it marked the first time in half a century that the Court held Congress had overstepped its power under the Commerce Clause.
The framers of the constitution conceived the legislature as ...
... the center of policymaking in America
Descriptive Representation
representing constituents by mirroring their personal and political relevant characteristics
Substantive Representation
speak for the interests of groups of whihc themselves aren't members
What are the advantages incumbents have in elections?
They have more money for advertising, credit claiming, weak opponents, campaign spending, name recognition and franking privelages
Why do members of the House have a higher rate of reelection than the Senate?
They know the people more, senate = more diverse populations and its hard to represent them all
Baker v Carr
ruling that allowed federal courts to renew boundaries of legislative districts
Wesberry v Sanders
congressional districts have to be drawn with equal populations
What are the Pros of having a term limit on members of Congress?
If they are doing bad its easier to vote them out, it limits majority control in the Congress
What are the Cons of having a term limit on members of Congress?
Less time to institute a policy you want, and if you want the same person you have to reelct them
Differences between the House and the Senate
House: initiates all revenue bills, 435 members, 2 year term limit, limited debate, more important in determining power
Senate: confirms many presidential nominations, 100 members, 6 year terms, unlimited debate
Speaker of the House
an office mandated by the Constitution, speaker is chosen in practice by majority party
Majority Leader
responsible for scheduling bills
Whips
count votes and lean on wavers who votes (senate); their job is to get leaders to vote for bills; whip you into shape
Minority Leaders
principal leader of minority pary in HOR or in Senate
Standing Committee
committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas, all work gets done; PERMENANT
Joint Committee
draw their membership from both the senate and the house
Conference Committee
congressional committees formed when the senate or house pass a particular bill in different forms; appoints members from each house, COMPROMISE OVER A BILL
Select Committee
temporary or permanant and usually have a specific focus
3 standing committees in the House
foreign affairs, armed services, budget
3 standing committees in the senate
budget, finance, vetern's affairs
Importance of Committee Chairs
most important influencers of their committees agendas
The role of Caucuses
congress members that share the same interest groups
Name 2 Caucuses
Hispanic Caucus, Sun Belt Caucus, Caucus of Women's issue
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
composed of researchers, provides members with nonpartisan studies
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
helps congress preform its oversight functions by reviewing the activities of executive branch and if its following the rules
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
focuses on analyzing the presidents budget and making economic projections about performance of the economy
House Rules Committee
it reviews bills from committees before it can go to the main
Legislation
Congress monitoring of the executive branch
Private Bills
grant citizenship or pay a settlement
"Marked up"
committee rewrites a proposed bill
"floor managers"
help party leaders hustle votes for things
Filibuster
a strategy unique to the senate where they use their right to unlimited debtate to prevent Senate from voting on a bill
Double Tracking
a procedure to keep the Senate going during a filibuster, whereby disputed bill is temprairly shelved so that the Senate can go on with other business.
Trustees
representatives using their best judgement to make policy in the interest of the people, usually economically
Lobbying
Seeking to influence a public official on an issue; an interest group with a particular agenda
Grassroots
localized movements, influencing policy via letters, emails, calls
1995 Law
tightened restrictions and disclosure requirements
Do Americans get the Congress they deserve?
true, the people elect their representatives directly so they have control over how good the congress is
Note
Flashcard