Gov Midterm

Based on study guide

Trump Impeachments

Trump was impeached twice: 1st for abuse of power in 2019 and 2nd for incitement of insurrection in 2021.

Bicameralism

Congress is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives based on population, serving 2-year terms, and the Senate with 2 members per state serving 6-year terms.

Presentment Process

The process where a bill passes both the House and Senate and is then signed or vetoed by the President.

House vs Senate Powers

Key differences: House initiates revenue bills and impeaches officials; Senate tries impeachments and confirms appointments.

Legislative Process

To become law, a bill must be introduced, debated, voted on, and signed or vetoed by the President—Congress can override a veto with a 2/3 vote.

U.S. Term Limits v. Thornton

States cannot impose term limits on Congress members as it violates federal uniformity.

INS v. Chadha

Established that Congress cannot invalidate executive actions without following the proper legislative process.

Youngstown Sheet and Tube v. Sawyer

Limited Truman’s authority to seize private property without Congressional approval.

Clinton v. New York

The president cannot exercise a line-item veto; must accept or reject an entire bill.

Trump v. U.S.

The president is immune from criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits for official actions.

Texas v. U.S.

States cannot challenge executive decisions in court, reinforcing presidential control.

The Prize Cases

The president can take military action without Congress formally declaring war during insurrections.

Ex Parte Milligan

Civilian courts must remain open, prohibiting military tribunals during war.

Korematsu v. U.S.

Upheld the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII based on wartime necessity.

Zivotofsky v. Kerry

Only the president can recognize foreign governments and make foreign policy decisions.

Biden v. Texas

Courts cannot dictate how the president executes the law, including immigration enforcement.

Nixon v. Fitzgerald

The president is immune from prosecution for actions taken while in office.

Clinton v. Jones

The president is not immune from lawsuits for unofficial actions.

Current Events: George Santos

Expelled from the House for lying about his background; requires a 2/3 majority to expel.

TikTok Ban & Free Speech

Banning TikTok would infringe the First Amendment right to free speech.

Leadership in the 118th Congress

House: Mike Johnson (Speaker), Steve Scalise (Majority Leader), Hakeem Jeffries (Minority Leader). Senate: John Thune (Majority Leader), Chuck Schumer (Minority Leader).

Appropriations 101

Mandatory spending programs, such as Social Security, significantly contribute to national debt and inflation.

Budget Reconciliation

Allows Congress to pass certain bills with a simple majority, circumventing the Senate filibuster.

Congress & President Tension

Main tension areas include legislation, budgeting, executive oversight, and war & diplomacy.