Gov Pol Study guide unit 2

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

435 members

How are the members of the House of Representatives appointed?

Based on state population

What is the term length for members of the House of Representatives?

2-year terms

Which type of bills does the House of Representatives initiate?

Revenue bills

What committee is responsible for the rules and structure in the House of Representatives?

Rules committee

What is the nature of debate in the House of Representatives?

Limited debate

How many members are in the Senate?

100 members

How many Senators does each state have?

2 per state

What is the length of a Senate term?

6 years

What type of elections does the Senate have?

Staggered elections

What is one of the main responsibilities of the Senate?

Ratifies treaties

What is another key responsibility of the Senate?

Confirms appointments

What allows for unlimited debate in the Senate?

Filibuster

What is the procedure to end a filibuster in the Senate?

Cloture

What is a characteristic of individual influence in the Senate?

More individual influence

What is the Rules Committee?

A powerful House committee that sets the terms for debate and amendment of bills.

What can the Rules Committee do to bills before they reach the floor?

It can speed up, slow down, or block bills from consideration.

Who is the presiding officer of the House?

Speaker of the House

Who elects the Speaker of the House?

The majority party

What is one of the responsibilities of the Speaker of the House?

Sets the legislative agenda

What role does the Speaker of the House have regarding committee appointments?

Appoints members to committees

How does the Speaker of the House influence party strategy?

By influencing party strategy

What is the Speaker of the House's position in presidential succession?

Second in line for presidential succession

What is the role of the majority leader?

Leader of the party with more seats in either chamber.

What is the role of the minority leader?

Leader of the party with fewer seats in either chamber.

What does the minority leader do?

Develops strategies to oppose the majority and protect minority interests.

What is the role of the minority leader?

Leader of the party with fewer seats in either chamber.

What does the minority leader develop?

Strategies to oppose the majority.

What interests does the minority leader aim to protect?

Minority interests.

What is the role of the President Pro Tem in the Senate?

Presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent.

Who is the President Pro Tem of the Senate?

The senior most member of the majority party.

Is the President Pro Tem's role primarily ceremonial?

Yes, it is mostly a ceremonial role.

What is the presidential succession rank of the President Pro Tem?

Third in line for presidential succession.

What is the Committee of the Whole?

A procedural device in the House that allows for faster debate and amendment of bills.

What does the Committee of the Whole reduce?

Quorum requirements.

What types of matters is the Committee of the Whole mainly used for?

Appropriations and budget matters.

What is partisanship?

Increased ideological polarization between Republicans and Democrats.

What effect does gerrymandering have on political districts?

It leads to safe districts, reducing the incentive for moderation.

How do media and interest groups influence partisanship?

They reinforce partisan positions.

What do electoral pressures make seem like a political weakness?

Compromise.

What is a continuous body in the context of the U.S. Senate?

The Senate is considered a continuous body.

Why is the Senate considered a continuous body?

Because 1/2 of its seats is up for election every two years.

What does the continuous body structure of the Senate ensure?

It ensures stability and continuity in the government.

What is a pocket veto?

A pocket veto occurs when the president does not sign a bill within 10 days while Congress is adjourned.

What happens to a bill if the president uses a pocket veto?

The bill does not become law.

Can Congress override a pocket veto?

No, a pocket veto cannot be overridden by Congress.

What principle was established by Baker v. Carr?

One person, one vote

What did Baker v. Carr rule regarding legislative redistricting?

It is justiciable by federal courts

What issue did Baker v. Carr address in state legislatures?

Melapportionment

What does Baker v. Carr ensure in terms of representation?

Equal representation

What was the ruling of Shaw v. Reno?

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment.

What does Shaw v. Reno state about race in drawing district lines?

Race cannot be the sole factor in drawing district lines.

Legislative Branch (Congress)

makes laws, controls funding, declares war, checks executive power

Executive Branch (President)

enforces laws, commands the military, conducts foreign policy, appoints officials

State of the Union Address

lays out agenda before Congress and the nation

Press Conferences and Social Media

direct engagement with the public

Executive Orders and Public Addresses

immediate policy action and crisis management

Judicial appointments

supreme court justices and federal judges serve for life

Executive Orders

policy directives that can shape government action

Legislative Agenda

working with congress to pass laws

signing statements

when signing a bill into law, the president may issue a statement indicating how they interpret the law or plan to enforce it

What is 'Advice and Consent'?

The Senate's power to confirm presidential appointments.

What does 'Advice and Consent' allow the Senate to do regarding treaties?

Ratify treaties.

What is the significance of 'Advice and Consent'?

It provides a key check on executive power.

Congress's checks on the President and vice versa

override vetoes, impeachment and removal, power of the purse (budget control), oversight hearing

Presidential checks

veto power, executive orders, control over military and foreign policy

formal powers

veto, commander in chief, treaty negotiation, appointment power

informal powers

executive orders, setting policy agenda, public persuasion

What is one responsibility of the president regarding federal judges?

Appoints federal judges who shape judicial interpretation for decades.

What does the president do to advance legislative priorities?

Pushes legislative priorities through Congress.

How can the president bypass Congress when necessary?

Uses executive orders.

Politico

balances acting as a delegate and trustee depending on the issue

Trustee

votes based on personal judgment rather than constituents opinions

delegate

votes strictly according to constituents' preferences

veto power

can block legislation

bully pulpit

uses media to pressure congress

executive orders

can bypass congress on some issues

enumerated powers

taxation, regulation of commerce, declaration of war, impeachment oversight

Necessary and Proper Clause

expands congressional authority