AP Gov Unit 2A

Only the legislative branch

Bicameral Legislature

A 2 house legislature, created in the great compromise with a senate and a house of reps

17th amendment

broadened democracy by giving people of the state the right to elect their own senators

Reapportionment act of 1929

Mandates periodic reapportionment

Reapportionment

Reapportionment is the process of redistributing the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states based on their population changes, determining if a state gains, loses, or keeps the same number of congressional representatives for the next ten years.

Caucuses

groups of like-minded people. They gather to elect their respective leaders, to set legislative agendas, and to name their committee members

Enumerated powers of congress

A limited number of specific powers. They’re sometimes referred to as expressed powers. These powers allow for the creation of public policy

power of the purse

The power to raise revenue-to tax. Congress spends those tax revenues through the public lawmaking process

Commerce clause

Grants congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states

Examples of congress’ foreign and military powers

Raise armies and navies, legislate conscription procedures, and declare war

War Powers Act

This law reigns in executive powers by requiring the president to notify congress within 48 hours of committing U.S. forces to combat

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the forgoing powers

Speaker of the House

The only House leadership position, holds the most power

Examples of powers unique to the House

Priority on revenue bills, selects the president if no majority candidates, calls impeachment

3 powers unique to the senate

confirming presidential appointments (like judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members), ratifying treaties negotiated by the President, and conducting impeachment trials after the House impeaches an official

House Majority and minority leader

Direct debate from among their partys members and guide the discussion from their side of the aisle

House Majority and Minority Whip

In charge of party discipline. Keeps a rough tally of votes among his or her party members which helps decide the best time for a vote.

President of the senate

It’s the vice president, but he rarely appears

President Pro Tempore

The backup from the VP. Usually held by the oldest standing member. Presides over the senate, signing legislation issues and delivers the oath of office

Senate Majority Leader

The chief legislator, sets the legislative calendar and determines which bills reach the floor

Standing Committees

permanent committees focused on a particular policy

Committee Chairperson

Invariably senior members in the majority party experienced on that committee

Ranking Member

The senior committee member from the minority party

House Ways and Means Committee

A committee specific to the house that determines tax policy

House Appropriations Committee

Influence or control the “Purse Strings” and allocate federal funds

Joint Committees

Committees that unite members from the house and senate

Select Committees

Established for a limited time period to perform a particular study or investigation

Conference Committee

Temporary committee created to iron out the differences between 2 of the same bills that were both passed in the house and the senate

House Rules Committee

The deposit of a bill or define the guidelines for a debate

Committee of the Whole

A state of operation in which the house rules are relaxed

Discharge Petition

A modern device that acts as a step towards transparency. It can bring a bill out of a reluctant committee

Filibuster

The idea of trying to stall or even kill a bill by talking for an extremely long time

Unanimous Consent

The approval of all senators

Cloture rule

Enabled and required a 2/3 supermajority to stop debate on a bill

Sponsor

The member who introduces it and usually assumes authority over it

Omnibus Bill

includes multiple areas of law and/or addresses multiple programs

Earmarks (Pork Barrel Spending)

Pork barrel spending is the allocation of government funds for localized projects or programs that primarily benefit a specific district or interest group, rather than serving a broad national interest, often used by politicians to win votes, secure campaign donations, and gain support for other legislation.

Logrolling

The practice of trading works or favors

OMB

the office of management and budget that usually writes the budget for the year

Sources of Revenue

Individual Income taxes, social security taxes, corporate taxes, tarrifs, others

Mandatory Spending

Spending that is required by law.

Discretionary spending

Payment that is decided by the president

Partisanship

A wedge driven through the people because of their opinions

Gridlock

The “Congestion” of opposing forces that prevent ideas from moving forward

Delegate voting models

a theory where elected officials act as mere mouthpieces for their constituents, voting strictly according to the preferences and wishes of the people they represent, rather than using their own judgment or conscience

Trustee model

an elected official who uses their own judgment, expertise, and conscience to make decisions, believing they were elected to do what's best for the public good, even if it contradicts their constituents' immediate wishes

Politico Model

a representative who blends the Delegate and Trustee models: they act as a delegate (following constituents' wishes) on hot-button issues or when public opinion is clear, but act as a trustee (using their own judgment) on less visible matters, serving as a pragmatic mix of both approaches depending on the situation

Lame Duck President

An executive who hasn't won re-election or who is closing in on his second term