Unit 2: Chapters 4.5 and 4.6 - AP U.S Government

Steps of Budget Process

1. Involves both the President and Congress in initiating and guiding the budget timeline.

2. President submits his formal budget proposal for Congressional authorization.

3. Congress produces a budget resolution establishing broad spending targets. (Blueprint)

4. Appropriations committees allocate funding for specific government programs. (Kill, mark-up, pass)

5. Congress passes the final legislation, which the President signs into law.

Pork Barrel Spending

Members of the house and senate often add millions of dollars of spending for programs for their own districts or states. Also known as omnibus spending

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by existing laws that is "locked in" the federal budget.

Discretionary Spending

Spending determined at discretion of Congress & President.

Deficit

Occurs when government spending is greater than government revenue.

National Debt

The total accumulation of multiple deficits over time.

Delegate Model

Main duty of a member of Congress is to vote the way their constituents wish.

Trustee Model

Member of Congress makes decisions using their own knowledge, judgment, and conscience.

Politico Role

Emphasizes that Congress is a highly politicized body. Members balance their choices dynamically between constituent interests and political party pressures.

Descriptive Representation

Congress members mirror the makeup of the country.

Substantive Representation

Members of Congress represent the interests and policy preferences of their constituents regardless of reflecting them demographically

Divided Government

No 1 party controls all 3 bodies (when power is separated between branches), leads to gridlock

Gridlock

A slowdown or halt in Congress’s ability to legislate and overcome divisions because of party polarization. Absence of agreement between opposing parties to work together to pass key legislation.