CCEA A2 Politics — Congress Revision Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards for key terms, institutional rules, constitutional powers, and pressure groups from the CCEA A2 Politics Congress revision notes.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress consisting of 435 voting members representing congressional districts allocated by population, serving 2-year terms with all seats contested every 2 years and a minimum age requirement of 25.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress consisting of 100 members (2 per state) representing entire states, serving 6-year terms with approximately one-third elected every 2 years and a minimum age requirement of 30.

Article I

The article of the US Constitution in which Congress's legislative powers are primarily found.

Delegate Model

A model of representation where a legislative member acts by following constituents' views.

Trustee Model

A model of representation where a legislative member uses their own judgement to make decisions rather than strictly following constituents' views.

House Rules Committee

A congressional committee that can determine how and for how long a bill is debated in the House of Representatives and what amendments may be offered.

Conference Committees

Committees that reconcile different House and Senate versions of legislation.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees in Congress that deal with particular policy areas, examine and amend bills, hold hearings, investigate government, and conduct oversight.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

A specific example of a permanent standing committee in the Senate dealing with international policy and executive oversight.

Filibuster

A procedure in the Senate where extended debate is used to delay or prevent a vote on legislation.

Cloture

A Senate procedure that normally requires 60 votes to end debate on legislation subject to the filibuster.

Presidential Veto

The rejection of legislation by the President, which requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress to override.

Subpoena Power

The legal power of congressional committees to compel witnesses or documents in relevant investigations, subject to legal limits.

Power of the Purse

Congress's control over federal taxation and spending, allowing it to restrict or condition executive programmes.

Senate Appointment Confirmation

The power of the Senate to confirm important executive and judicial appointments such as Supreme Court justices, Cabinet officials, ambassadors, and federal judges.

Senate Treaty Approval

The constitutional requirement that treaties negotiated by the President must be approved by a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

Impeachment Process

A constitutional check where the House brings and approves articles of impeachment, and the Senate conducts the trial, requiring a two-thirds vote of Senators present to convict.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by a President to direct executive agencies without passing a new Act of Congress, subject to constitutional and legal limits.

Executive Agreements

International agreements made by a President that do not use the Senate's treaty-ratification process.

Gridlock

A situation where political disagreement prevents government from taking effective legislative action.

PACs (Political Action Committees)

Political organisations used by pressure groups to provide campaign support to candidates.

NRA

A lobby group that advocates for gun rights in the United States.

AARP

A pressure group representing the interests of older Americans.

Sierra Club

A pressure group focused on environmental issues.

Separation of Powers vs Fusion of Powers

The structural distinction between the US system (where Congress and the President are separate branches) and the UK system (where the Prime Minister and ministers operate within a parliamentary system with fused powers).