Congress - Gov Unit 2

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress with 435 members, characterized by 2-year terms, formal debate, and representation of specific districts.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress with 100 members, characterized by 6-year terms, less formal debate, and representation of entire states.

Enumerated Powers

Explicitly stated powers directly granted to Congress, listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed but deemed necessary to execute enumerated powers, derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Economic Powers

Powers allowing Congress to tax, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, and set bankruptcy standards.

Military Powers

Powers allowing Congress to declare war, raise and support armies, and maintain a navy.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws deemed necessary for executing its enumerated powers.

House Exclusive Powers

Powers that include initiating revenue bills, impeaching officials, and electing the President if the Electoral College ties.

Senate Exclusive Powers

Powers that include ratifying treaties, confirming appointments, and conducting impeachment trials.

Speaker of the House

Constitutionally required leader of the House who presides over sessions and controls the legislative agenda.

President of the Senate

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

Filibuster

A prolonged debate in the Senate used to delay or block a vote on a bill.

Cloture

A procedure in the Senate to end a filibuster requiring a 60-vote supermajority.

Discharge Petition

A motion in the House to force a bill out of committee for a vote requiring 218 signatures.

Discretionary Spending

Spending subject to annual budget negotiations and appropriations bills.

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by law for entitlement programs, consuming over 60% of the federal budget.

Divided Government

A situation where one party controls the executive branch and another party controls the legislative branch.

Trustee Model

A representation model where representatives use their own judgment to make decisions.

Delegate Model

A representation model where representatives vote according to constituents' explicit desires.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or demographic.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

A Supreme Court case ruling that redistricting challenges are justiciable under the Equal Protection Clause.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

A Supreme Court case ruling that race cannot be the predominant factor in drawing district lines.

partisanship

strong asherence to party loyalty over compromise, causing strict party-line voting and ideological polarization

bipartisanship

agreement or copperation between both political parties , necessary for passing majo non-controversial legislation

logrolling

agreement by law makers to support each other’s bills, facilitating bill passage and budget compromise

lame duck president

outgoing pres serving out their term after an election or term limit, faces reduced political leverage and increased congresional resitance

trustee model

representatives use their own independent judgement and conscience to make decisions

delegate model

representatives vote strictly according to the explicit desires of their constituents

politico model

representatives act as a delegate on high profile constituent issues and a trustee on complex or minor issues re

redistricting

redrawing distict boundraries ever 10 years following the census to reflect pop shifts

gerrymandering

redrawing electoral distict boundaries to favor one political party or demographic group