Congress Lecture Notes Review

A set of flashcards covering key concepts and details from the lecture on Congress, useful for exam preparation.

What is the term length for House members?

House members serve 2-year terms.

How many representatives does each state have in the Senate?

Each state has two representatives in the Senate.

What is Fenno's Paradox?

The phenomenon where constituents have a favorable view of their own representative but generally disapprove of Congress as a whole.

What power is primarily given to Congress according to Article 1, Section 8?

The power to make laws.

What clause allows Congress to create implied powers?

The Necessary and Proper clause.

What is required for a bill to become law?

A bill must be passed by both the House and the Senate.

What committee system is used in the United States Congress?

A system that includes standing, select, and joint committees.

What is gerrymandering?

The manipulation of congressional district boundaries for political advantage.

What is the role of the Speaker of the House?

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, usually the leader of the majority party.

How does Congress conduct oversight of the executive branch?

Through the power to review executive actions to ensure laws are enforced as intended.

What is a filibuster?

A delaying tactic in the Senate to prevent a bill from being voted on.

What are the two chambers of Congress?

The Senate and the House of Representatives.

What are the three roles of a member of Congress regarding representation?

Trustee, Delegate, and Politico.

What does the Congressional Budget Office do?

It provides budgetary and economic information to Congress.

What was the influence of the Articles of Confederation on the U.S. Congress?

The weaknesses of the Articles led to the creation of a more powerful Congress.

What happens if a bill passes in one chamber of Congress?

It must also pass in the other chamber in identical form.

When does redistricting occur?

After the census every ten years.

What are the major committees in the House?

Top committees include Rules, Appropriations, and Ways and Means.

What is the role of party leadership in Congress?

To organize both houses based on party affiliation and manage legislative priorities.

What is the significance of the Vice President in the Senate?

The Vice President presides over the Senate and casts tie-breaking votes.

What was the result of U.S. v. Thornton (1995)?

It ruled that states could not impose term limits on members of Congress.

What is the approval rating trend for Congress from the provided data?

Congress tends to have low approval ratings, often below 40%.

What is implied by the Supremacy Clause?

Federal laws take precedence over state laws.

What are the responsibilities of the Senate Majority Leader?

To manage the Senate floor and support the agenda of the majority party.

What is logrolling in Congress?

The practice of trading favors or votes among legislators.

What is the specific phrase from the constitution that describes the Senates role in the presidential appointment of judges?

The Senate has the authority to "advise and consent" on presidential appointments.

Which specific committee within the senate is responsible for the initial submission and hearings of a judicial appointee?

The senate judiciary committee.

How many votes are required in the senate to successfully end a filibuster against a court nominee?

A total of 60 votes are required to invoke cloture and end a filibuster.

What are two ways that the judicial selection process could be reformed?

Changing the numbers or changing the jurisdiction.

What does the term Judicial longevity refer to in the context of presidential appointments?

Length of time a judge serves on the bench

What type of vote is required for final confirmation by the full senate if there is no filibuster?

A simple majority vote.

Define the rule of precedent known as stare decisis.

A rule where the law contained in a judicial decision is viewed as binding on judges.

What is considered the primary function of the supreme court?

Interpreting the law

In the selection process, what happens immediately after the senate judiciary committee holds hearings?

The nomination goes to the full senate for debate and a vote.

Why are laws often difficult for judges to interpret?

Laws are often ambiguous

Does the supreme court conduct it’s own independent research or data collection when choosing cases?

No it relies on briefs.