Unit 2: Interaction Among the Branches

Who sets the boundaries of U.S. Congressional districts?

State legislatures.

What is one proposed reform to stop gerrymandering?

Using independent commissions to draw district lines.

What is the difference between reapportionment and redistricting?

Reapportionment = Changing the number of House seats per state; Redistricting = Redrawing district lines within a state.

Why is the Interstate Commerce Clause important?

It allows Congress to regulate trade between states and has been used to justify civil rights and environmental laws.

Who can introduce bills in Congress?

House or Senate members (except tax bills, which must start in the House).

What are the two roles of Congress members when voting?

Delegate = Votes based on constituents’ opinions; Trustee = Votes based on personal judgment.

Who is the most powerful person in the House of Representatives?

The Speaker of the House.

What is the job of the Senate Majority Leader?

Controls the Senate agenda and votes.

What is the job of the Senate Minority Leader?

Leads the opposition party in the Senate.

What does a Whip do in Congress?

Ensures party members vote together.

What powers are unique to the House of Representatives?

Starts tax bills, can impeach the president, serves 2-year terms.

What powers are unique to the Senate?

Confirms presidential nominees, ratifies treaties, holds impeachment trials, serves 6-year terms.

What powers do the House and Senate share?

Passing laws, declaring war, regulating commerce.

What is a standing committee?

A permanent committee that handles specific policy areas like defense or budget.

What does the House Ways & Means Committee do?

Handles tax policy.

What does the Senate Judiciary Committee do?

Approves federal judges and Supreme Court nominees.

What does the House Rules Committee do?

Sets the rules for debating bills in the House.

What does the Conference Committee do?

Resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

How does Congress check the president?

Can override vetoes, control spending, and impeach the president.

How does the president check Congress?

Can veto bills and issue executive orders.

How does the Supreme Court check Congress and the president?

Can strike down unconstitutional laws and executive actions.

What are the roles of the president?

Commander-in-Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief Diplomat, Party Leader, Crisis Manager.

What is the difference between formal and informal presidential powers?

Formal = Powers listed in the Constitution; Informal = Powers not in the Constitution.

What is the bureaucracy?

Agencies that enforce laws and policies (FBI, EPA, NASA).

What are independent agencies?

Agencies that enforce federal laws but are not part of the Cabinet.

What is the Cabinet?

Advisors to the president, heads of executive departments.

What is the Executive Office of the President (EOP)?

Advisors and staff who assist the president.

What is the order of courts before a case reaches the Supreme Court?

District Courts → Appeals Courts → Supreme Court.

What is jurisdiction?

The authority of a court to hear a case.

What is judicial review?

The Supreme Court’s power to declare laws unconstitutional.

What Supreme Court case established judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison (1803).

What did Baker v. Carr (1961) decide?

Federal courts can review redistricting cases.

What did Shaw v. Reno (1993) decide?

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

What is an Amicus Curiae brief?

A ‘friend of the court’ brief submitted by outside groups to influence a case.

What is the Rule of 4?

At least 4 Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case.

What is administrative law?

Rules and regulations made by government agencies.

What is pork-barrel spending?

Adding extra spending to a bill to benefit a specific district.

What is congressional oversight?

Congress’s power to monitor executive agencies.

What is an executive agreement?

A treaty-like deal made by the president that does not need Senate approval.

What is stare decisis?

The principle that courts should follow past precedents.

What is a divided government?

When the presidency and Congress are controlled by different political parties.

What is cloture?

A Senate rule requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster.

What is a filibuster?

A tactic where a senator speaks for a long time to delay a vote.

What is a writ of certiorari?

An order from the Supreme Court agreeing to review a lower court case.