AP Gov Unit 2 Part 1

What is the house of representative’s role in the bicameral legislature?

Creates and passes federal laws, introduces and votes on bills, drafts budget and appropriations legislation, conducts investigations, and initiates impeachment proceedings against federal officials.

What is the senate’s role in the bicameral legislature?

Creates and passes federal laws,enacts federal laws, sets federal budgets, declares wars and approves treaties, confirms presidential appointments like judges and cabinet members, and conducts impeachment trials for federal officials.

How many representatives in the House of Representatives?

435 (represents a district)

How many members are in the Senate?

100 (2 from each state)

Term limit of HOR

2 year term limits with unlimited chances to run

Term limit for the Senate

6 year terms with no limit

Functions of HOR

Originates all revenue bills (taxation), Can resolve contested presidential elections in the Electoral College

Functions of Senate 

can remove officials with a two-thirds majority vote, Ratifies treaties with a two-thirds supermajority, Provides advice and consent on presidential appointments, such as judges, cabinet members, and ambassadors 

Examples of enumerated powers

Coining money and regulating its value, Taxation and spending for the general welfare, Declaring war and raising armies and navies, Regulating commerce with foreign nations and among the states, Establishing post offices and roads

Example of implied power

Creating the First Bank of the United States to manage federal finances (McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819)

Power of purse HOR purpose

Advocates a single reconciliation bill strategy integrating all major tax cuts, spending reductions, and policy priorities

Power of the purse Senate purpose

Prefers a multi-bill path with smaller, targeted reductions distributed across two reconciliation bill

What does the delegate model of representation ensure?

direct democratic control and aligns oversight with public sentiment; heightens accountability of the executive to the electorate.

What does the trustee model of representation ensure?

Fosters well-informed, judicious oversight; can anticipate future risks or policy consequences; serves the national interest over transient popular pressures.

What does the politico model of representation ensure?

Balances expertise with responsiveness; allows flexible oversight sensitive to both national priorities and political realities.

Example of a constituency 

member of parliament, congress, or a local council member, and residents or registered voters within a specific geographic area or electoral district. 

Examples of incumbency

Name Recognition, Established Networks, Media Coverage, Constituent Services, Gerrymandering

What can be the result of pork barrel legislation

trading favors or logrolling

what is partisanship

This term refers to the strong allegiance to a particular political party, often leading individuals to adopt the party's positions and policies without critical evaluation.

What is polarization

 ideological distance between political parties or groups, resulting in a more divided political landscape (us vs them)

Causes of gridlock

Partisan Disagreements, Filibuster and Legislative Procedures, Lack of Compromise

Step 1 of the bill making process

A bill can be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate by a member of that chamber.

Step 2 of bill making process

the bill is referred to relevant committees that specialize in the bill’s subject matter

Step 3 of bill making process

Once reported by the committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for Debate, Voting, and Passage

Step 4 of bill making process

If the second chamber passes a bill identical to the first chamber's version, it proceeds to the President.

What is Step 5 to bill making process (if needed)

If the House and Senate pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee is formed

Step 6 of bill making process

Once both chambers agree, the bill is sent to the President

The president than can pass the bill or veto it.

If a bill is veto, what happens?

Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.

If nothing happens for more than 10 days bill can become law

If congress adjourns during the 10-day period and the President takes no action, the bill does not become law

Where do most bills go when introduced to congress?

go through a standing committee

Example of a joint committee (committee through both senate and house)

Taxation and the Economic Committee

What does rules committee do?

controls the procedures for debating and amending bills

-Issuing special rules for bills, which determine debate time, amendment allowances, and priority on the House calendar 

-self-execute amendments

What is a rider?

provision added to a bill that is not necessarily related to the bill’s main purpose

-pass a measure that might not succeed on its own 

How many votes can override a veto in HOR

Two-thirds majority

How many votes can override a veto in Senate

Two-thirds

Details regarding appointments

 process of distributing the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states based on population counts from the decennial census

Who controls redistricting

State legislatures or individual/bipartisanship commissions

Differences in appointments/redistricting

apportionment assigns congressional seats based on population, while redistricting redraws district boundaries within states to ensure equal representatio

How many years does it take for redistricting/appointments to take place

10

What is packing?

 involves concentrating as many voters of the opposing party or group into as few districts as possible.

-they win those districts with overwhelming majorities, but their overall influence across other districts is minimized.

Cracking

dispersing a group of voters who share a political preference or identity across many districts. By splitting them into multiple districts where they form only a small minority, their voting power is diluted. 

What is the goal of independent redistricting commissions?

aim to reduce gerrymandering by ensuring that politicians do not manipulate district boundaries for partisan advantage

What is Baker v. Carr (1962)

landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of equitable representation in state legislative districts, allowing federal courts to adjudicate redistricting cases under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

What is Shaw v. Reno (1993)

landmark Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that electoral districts drawn predominantly based on race can be challenged under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

How does Congress reflect separation of powers and checks and balances?

Internal division of HOR and Senate serves as an additional layer ensuring that no single body wields excessive power while maintaining the legislative responsibilities of making and amending laws.

Example of Pork Barreling

A massive highway relocation project in Boston, initially budgeted at $2.5 billion but ending up costing nearly $15 billion. This project, funded significantly through congressional earmarks, was plagued by delays, cost overruns, and safety issues, drawing criticism.