Congress and The President Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering key terms, qualifications, committee structures, legislative processes, and executive branch powers.

Bicameral

A legislative structure consisting of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives Qualifications

Constitutional qualifications requiring a representative to be at least $25$\,years old, a U.S. citizen for at least $7$\,years, and a resident of the state being represented.

Senate Qualifications

Constitutional qualifications requiring a senator to be at least $30$\,years old, a U.S. citizen for at least $9$\,years, and a resident of the state being represented.

Reapportionment

The redistribution of the $435$ seats in the House of Representatives every $10$\,years based on the U.S. Census, capped by the Act of 1910 and Reapportionment Act of 1929.

Constituent

The people being represented by an elected official.

Trustee Model

A representation model where an elected official does what he or she thinks is the very best.

Delegate Model

A representation model where an elected official does what the voters back home want.

Filibuster

A speech used in the Senate to delay legislative consideration.

Legislative Hold

An action where a senator halts a bill from consideration.

Impeachment

The constitutional process where the House of Representatives has the power to charge or accuse an official, and the Senate tries the charges requiring a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote to convict.

Speaker of the House

A legislative office created by the Constitution whose primary duties are to preside over the House, keep order, assign bills to committees, and sign all bills.

President Pro Tempore

An official elected by the Senate who is the longest-serving member of the majority party.

Standing Committee

A permanent legislative committee ($20$ in the House, $16$ in the Senate).

Select Committee

A temporary congressional committee formed for a specific special purpose, such as conducting an investigation.

Joint Committee

A permanent committee composed of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Conference Committee

A temporary joint committee created to iron out differences in a bill passed by both legislative chambers.

Pigeonhole

The most common committee action in which a bill is ignored, causing it to die.

Unitary Executive Theory

The principle that the Constitution puts the President in charge of executing laws, meaning nobody may limit presidential authority regarding executive matters.

Imperial Presidency

A concept where powerful presidents become like emperors through secretive actions, expanding military deployments, and overcoming checks and balances.

Presidential Qualifications

Constitutional requirements stating that the President must be at least $35$\,years old, a natural born citizen, and a resident within the U.S. for $14$\,years.

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the President in the Constitution, including serving as Commander in Chief, granting pardons and reprieves, making treaties, and appointing ambassadors and Supreme Court justices.

Delegated Powers

Powers granted to the President by Congress derived from the take care clause to execute laws.

Inherent Powers

Powers implied in the vesting clause that are not specified in the Constitution or delegated by Congress, which typically increase during crises.

Bully Pulpit

A term originated by Teddy Roosevelt referring to the President's power to persuade.

Pocket Veto

A veto occurring when Congress adjourns its session within $10$\,days of submitting a bill to the President and the President does not sign it.

22nd Amendment

Constitutional amendment passed in 1951 that established limits on the number of presidential terms.

25th Amendment

Constitutional amendment passed in 1967 addressing presidential succession and allowing the President to appoint a new Vice President if the position becomes vacant.

12th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that separated the Electoral College votes for President and Vice President into two distinct ballots.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

An agency within the Executive Office of the President responsible for managing the budget of the executive branch.

National Security Council (NSC)

An agency within the Executive Office of the President composed of the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.