Unit 2 Gov Pol Test

Constitutional differences between the House and Senate

-The House has 2-year terms and is based on population
-Senate has 6-year terms with equal state representation

Differences in operation/culture between the House and Senate

-House is faster-paced with stricter rules
-Senate is more flexible and has more individual power.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging votes for mutual benefit between lawmakers

Delegate model

A lawmaker votes based on the views of their constituents.

Trustee model

A lawmaker votes based on their own judgment, considering the public good.

Politico model

A lawmaker combines the delegate and trustee models, depending on the issue.

Casework

Assistance provided by members of Congress to their constituents with government-related problems

Congressional oversight function - hearings, nominees

Congress checks the work of the executive branch through hearings and approving nominees

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The office that helps the president create the federal budget.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

The agency that provides budget and economic information to Congress.

Discretionary vs. Mandatory spending

Discretionary spending is optional; mandatory spending (like Social Security) is required by law.

Congressional demographics

The characteristics (age, gender, race, etc.) of members of Congress.

Incumbency advantages

The benefits that current officeholders have over challengers, like name recognition and funding.

17th amendment

The amendment that changed the way senators are elected, from state legislatures to popular vote.

Reapportionment/ "One person one vote"

The process of redistributing congressional seats based on population; each person's vote must have equal weight.

Redistricting

Drawing new district lines to ensure equal population, connected areas, and reasonable shapes.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor one party

"Cracking"

splits opposition voters

"Packing"

puts them into one district

Terms and sessions

A term is a 2-year period in Congress; a session is a meeting of Congress within a term.

Majority party

The political party with the most members in either the House or Senate.

Minority party

The political party with fewer members in either the House or Senate.

Congressional caucuses

Groups of lawmakers with common interests or goals within Congress.

House vs. Senate leadership

The House is led by the Speaker; the Senate is led by the Majority Leader.

Committee system

Groups that help Congress review bills

Standing committee

Permanent committees

Joint committee

have members from both chambers

Conference committee

resolve differences

Special committee

investigate specific issues

Filibuster

a tactic to delay voting

Clotures

ends a filibuster by a vote

Unanimous consent

allows quick decisions without a vote

Holds

prevent action on a bill by a senator's request.

Treaty ratification / confirmation role

The Senate approves treaties and confirms presidential appointments.

Rules Committee

sets debate rules

Committee of the Whole

speeds up decisions

Discharge petition

force a vote

Germane amendments

must relate to the bill

Vetoes

a president's refusal to sign a bill

Pocket vetoes

when the president doesn't act on a bill before Congress adjourns

Line item veto

lets the president reject parts of a bill

Clinton v. City of New York

Supreme Court ruled line item vetoes unconstitutional

Divided government

when one party controls Congress and another controls the presidency

Unified government

when one party controls both

Gridlock

when no progress is made due to party disagreement

Partisanship

loyalty to a party over others.

Earmarks/Pork Barrel

Government spending for local projects that benefit specific lawmakers' districts.

Baker v. Carr (1962

A Supreme Court case that ruled courts can intervene in redistricting to ensure fairness.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

A Supreme Court case that ruled racial gerrymandering could violate the Equal Protection Clause.

Article I of the Constitution

The part of the Constitution that defines the powers and structure of Congress.

Bicameral legislature

2 chamber system

Enumerated powers/implied powers

passing a federal budget
raising revenue
coining money
declaring war
maintaining armed forces
enacting legislation based on the necessary and proper clause