Civil Liberties and Rights, Congress, and the Presidency

This set of flashcards covers key concepts in civil liberties, civil rights, congressional structure and function, and the presidency, as detailed in the lecture notes.

What are civil liberties?

Protections FROM government interference in personal freedoms such as speech, religion, and privacy.

What are civil rights?

Protections BY government ensuring equality under the law and fair treatment for all citizens.

What did the 13th Amendment accomplish?

It abolished slavery in the United States.

What guarantees does the 14th Amendment provide?

It guarantees citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law.

What is the significance of the 15th Amendment?

It prohibited voting discrimination based on race or color.

What change did the 17th Amendment bring to U.S. elections?

It established direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.

What rights did the 19th Amendment grant?

It gave women the right to vote.

What did the 23rd Amendment do?

It granted Washington, D.C. Electoral College votes.

What is the purpose of the 24th Amendment?

It abolished poll taxes in federal elections.

What does the 26th Amendment state?

It lowered the voting age to 18.

What was the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

It outlawed segregation and discrimination in employment, education, and public places.

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 achieve?

It banned literacy tests and other barriers to minority voting and enforced fair elections.

What is the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?

It proposed to ban sex discrimination under the law but has not yet been fully ratified.

What was the ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?

It upheld the 'separate but equal' doctrine for segregation.

What was the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

It declared segregation unconstitutional and overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

What did Shelby County v. Holder (2013) do?

It weakened the Voting Rights Act by removing the federal oversight formula.

What did Allen v. Milligan (2023) reaffirm?

It stated that Alabama must create fair congressional maps for minority voters.

What is civil disobedience?

Peacefully breaking unjust laws to protest inequality.

What was the Seneca Falls Convention (1848)?

The first women’s rights convention that issued the Declaration of Sentiments.

What is the primary function of Congress?

To make laws.

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

435 members, with representation based on state population.

What is the Senate composed of?

100 members, with 2 from each state.

What are the qualifications for a member of the House of Representatives?

Must be 25 years old, a citizen for 7 years, and live in the state they represent.

What are the qualifications for a U.S. Senator?

Must be 30 years old, a citizen for 9 years, and live in the state they represent.

What does apportionment refer to?

The distribution of House seats among states after each census.

What is redistricting?

Redrawing congressional district lines within states after apportionment.

What is gerrymandering?

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party or group.

What does the phrase 'One person, one vote' mean?

All districts must have equal populations for equal representation.

What is Fenno’s Paradox?

Americans dislike Congress but like their own representatives.

What is the role of standing committees?

Permanent committees that handle bills in specific policy areas.

What is a select or special committee?

A temporary committee formed for investigations or limited tasks.

What is a joint committee?

A committee with members from both chambers for coordination or oversight.

What is a conference committee?

A temporary committee to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill.

What is a filibuster?

A Senate tactic allowing unlimited debate to delay or block a bill.

What is cloture?

A motion to end debate in the Senate; requires 60 votes.

What is the concept of a unified government?

When the same party controls the presidency and both chambers of Congress.

What is a divided government?

When the presidency and Congress are controlled by different parties.

Who is the Speaker of the House?

The presiding officer and leader of the majority party in the House.

What is the role of the majority leader in the House?

Second-in-command to the Speaker; helps set the legislative agenda.

What does the majority whip do?

Counts votes and ensures party unity in both chambers.

Who serves as the President of the Senate?

The Vice President, who votes only to break ties.

What is the majority leader's role in the Senate?

Sets the Senate agenda and leads the majority party.

Where does most congressional work take place?

In the committee process, which involves drafting, hearings, and amendments.

Describe the bill to law process.

Bill introduction → committee → floor debate → vote → conference → presidential action.

What are the presidential qualifications?

Must be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and have 14 years of U.S. residency.

What does the 22nd Amendment state?

It limits presidents to two elected four-year terms.

What is defined by the 25th Amendment?

Presidential succession and procedures for disability or vacancy.

What is the role of the Vice President?

Becomes president if a vacancy occurs, presides over the Senate, and breaks ties.

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

Created in 1939 to help manage the growing federal bureaucracy.

What is the Cabinet?

Heads of 15 executive departments; advise the president and require Senate confirmation.

What is an executive order?

A directive from the president that manages operations of the federal government.

What does the War Powers Resolution (1973) do?

Limits presidential military action to 60 days without congressional approval.

What is impeachment?

The process by which the House charges and the Senate tries a president for high crimes or misdemeanors.

What is the presidential succession order?

VP → Speaker of the House → President pro tempore → Cabinet heads by creation order.

What is a veto?

The president’s rejection of a bill; Congress can override with a two-thirds vote.

What is a pocket veto?

When the president takes no action and Congress adjourns before 10 days; the bill dies.

What is a pardon?

Presidential forgiveness of a federal crime.

What is the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement?

Treaties require 2/3 Senate approval, while executive agreements do not.

What is the administrative presidency?

The president using agencies, orders, and regulations to act without Congress.

What is the President's role as Commander-in-Chief?

The President is the leader of the armed forces.

What does the Chief of Staff do?

Manages the president’s daily schedule and the White House staff.

What are the key offices of the EOP?

White House Office, OMB, NSC, CEA.

What are regulatory agencies?

Independent bodies like FCC, SEC, and FTC with fixed-term commissioners.

What are government corporations?

Government-run businesses like USPS and Amtrak.

What typically happens during midterm elections?

The president’s party typically loses seats in Congress.

What is thermostatic voting?

Voters shift support to balance power against the president’s party.

What is meant by descriptive representation?

Congress members’ demographics reflect their constituents.

What is a majority-minority district?

A district where racial or ethnic minorities make up the majority of voters.

What is the current status of the ERA?

It is supported politically but still legally contested on ratification.

What groups were involved in the Civil Rights Movement?

SNCC and SCLC organized sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and marches.

What does Fenno’s Paradox mean?

People approve of their own Congress member but disapprove of Congress overall.

How does debate differ between the House and Senate?

House has limited debate; Senate allows unlimited debate unless cloture is invoked.