Congress in the Separation of Powers (AP U.S. Government Unit 2 Notes)

Bicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body with two chambers; in the U.S., Congress consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Constitutional Convention agreement creating a bicameral Congress with population-based representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

House of Representatives

Lower chamber of Congress designed to be closer to public opinion; members serve two-year terms and represent smaller districts.

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress designed to be more stable and deliberative; members serve six-year staggered terms and represent entire states (two per state).

House Qualifications

Constitutional requirements to serve in the House: at least 25 years old, U.S. citizen for 7 years, and resident of the state represented.

Senate Qualifications

Constitutional requirements to serve in the Senate: at least 30 years old, U.S. citizen for 9 years, and resident of the state represented.

Apportionment

The allocation of House seats among states based on population, recalculated after each decennial census.

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer and most powerful House leader; influences what reaches the floor, shapes committee assignments, and negotiates with the Senate and president.

Majority Leader

Top day-to-day party leader (especially in the Senate) who helps set the agenda and coordinates strategy for the majority party.

Whip

Party leader responsible for vote counting and party discipline—persuading members to support the party’s position.

Standing Committee

A permanent congressional committee that specializes in a particular policy area (e.g., agriculture, judiciary).

Committee Jurisdiction

The policy area(s) a committee controls; important because it determines which committee handles a bill and who gains influence over an issue.

Enumerated Powers

Congress’s powers explicitly listed in the Constitution (e.g., taxing/spending, regulating commerce, declaring war, establishing lower courts).

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Constitutional clause allowing Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers, forming the basis of implied powers.

Congressional Oversight

Congress’s monitoring of executive agencies through hearings, investigations, information requests, and other tools to check implementation and administration.

Power of the Purse

Congress’s authority over taxing and spending; used to shape executive priorities through funding decisions and conditions on appropriations.

Advice and Consent

Senate power to confirm many presidential appointments and to ratify treaties (treaties require a two-thirds vote).

Impeachment

Constitutional process to remove federal officials: the House impeaches (formally accuses) and the Senate holds the trial and can convict/remove.

Casework (Constituent Service)

Assistance a member of Congress provides to individuals dealing with federal agencies (e.g., benefits or immigration paperwork).

Reelection Connection

The idea that members’ behavior is strongly shaped by the goal of winning reelection, influencing how they vote and allocate time and resources.

Mayhew’s Three Activities

Strategies members use to aid reelection: advertising (visibility), credit claiming (taking responsibility for benefits), and position taking (public stands/votes).

Rules Committee (House)

House committee that helps control floor debate by setting rules for debate time and amendments; a key reason the House is more majoritarian.

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay or block a vote by extending debate (or threatening to), often forcing the need for a supermajority to end debate.

Cloture

Senate procedure to end debate; on most matters requires three-fifths of the Senate (typically 60 votes).

Gerrymandering

Drawing congressional district boundaries to advantage a political party or group; often achieved through packing or cracking voters.