Fall 2 Exam AMGV

Filibuster

Delaying the vote on a bill in the Senate

Quorum

The minimum required amount of people in congress to vote
51 in Senate
218 in House

administrative discretion

The authority granted to administrators to execute the law and regulations

Pork Barrel

A representative allocating government funds in a way that benefits their constituents

Progressive Taxes

A tax rate that increases as the person’s wealth/income goes up

Regressive Taxes

A tax that will take more money from lower income earners than higher income ones

Mandatory Spending

Projects/Stuff that is required by LAW to be funded/allocated for in the budget

Discretionary Spending

Things that are non-essential/usual stuff approved through congressional appropriation

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Federal bodies created by congress to preform a certain task

Cabinet Positions

Members of the Presidential Cabinet IE the heads of the 15 Executive Department & Cabinet level positions

Spoils System / Patronage

Winning party awards it’s members/loyalists with positions within the government. Often valuing loyalty over experience

Punctuated Equilibrium

The idea that certain things in the government/policy will remain in a state of unchanged stasis until being radically uplifted by sudden change

Political Socialization

The lifelong process in which people develop their politics/worldview/values

SLOP Poll

Unscientific opt in polls usually conducted by the media or over the internet. Lacks a random sample size, and is often biased

Margin of Error

A statistical measure that expresses the amount of random sampling error. If it’s greater than 5% then IDK

Redistributive Taxes

Tax system designed to take wealth from one group and give it to another usually poorer group

What is the role of congress?

To make and pass laws, serve as the legislative branch

What powers does congress have?

Declare War, Levy Taxes, Annex new States, Create laws, create independent agencies, impeach the president, approve supreme court justices/cabinet members

What are the official requirements to be in congress?

Atleast 25 years old, 7 years a citizen, live in the state you want to be elected from.
For the Senate be atleast 30 years old, 9 years a citizen, and be from your state

How many members are in the House?

441 members. 435 voting members, and 6 non-voting members

Who leads the House and what are his powers?

The Speaker of the House, has control over committee appointments, particularly the standing & rules one which controls debate.

What are congressional committees?

Special organizations that are suppose to oversee certain topics. Where most policy making happens.

Where do bills originate?

All bills come from either the House or Senate with the exception of Revenue Bills (Tax stuff) which come from the house. However, exceptions in certain cases can allow the senate to make laws.