Congress flash cards

What are the Enumerated Powers of Congress?

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution, such as the power to declare war, coin money, regulate commerce, and raise and support armies.

What are the Implied Powers of Congress?

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the "necessary and proper" clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) to carry out enumerated powers. Example: creating the IRS to collect taxes.

What are the Non-Legislative Powers of Congress?

Powers that do not involve making laws, such as the power to propose amendments, conduct investigations, impeach officials, approve treaties (Senate), and confirm appointments (Senate).

What are the qualifications to be a member of the House of Representatives?

Must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state they represent.

What are the qualifications to be a member of the Senate?

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and a resident of the state they represent.

What are the powers of the House of Representatives?

Initiates all revenue bills, impeaches federal officials, and elects the President in case of an electoral college tie.

What are the powers of the Senate?

Confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, tries impeached officials, and elects the Vice President in case of an electoral college tie.

Who is the Speaker of the House?

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party. Second in line of succession to the presidency.

What are the roles of Minority and Majority Leaders?

Elected by their respective parties to lead party discussions, strategy, and to act as party spokespersons in Congress.

Who is the President Pro Tempore?

A high-ranking senator of the majority party who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. Third in line of succession to the presidency.

What are Whips in Congress?

Assist floor leaders in managing their party's legislative program, counting votes, and ensuring party discipline.

What is a Filibuster?

A tactic used in the Senate whereby a minority of senators attempts to delay or block a vote on a bill by speaking for an extended period.

What is a Cloture Motion?

A procedure used in the Senate to end debate on a bill and overcome a filibuster, requiring a vote of 60 senators (three-fifths majority).

What are Majority-Minority Districts?

Congressional districts drawn to ensure that a racial or ethnic minority group constitutes a majority of the voters, often to increase minority representation.

What is a Safe District?

A congressional district where the incumbent party consistently wins by a large margin (typically 55% or more of the vote), making the outcome highly predictable.

What is a Marginal District?

A congressional district where the winning candidate receives less than 55% of the vote, indicating a highly competitive election.

What is Descriptive Representation?

The idea that elected officials should mirror the demographic characteristics (e.g., race, gender, ethnicity) of their constituents.

What is Substantive Representation?

The idea that elected officials should represent the interests of their constituents, regardless of whether they share the same demographic characteristics.

What is the Incumbency Advantage?

The tendency for members of Congress to win re-election at a much higher rate than challengers, due to factors like name recognition, fundraising, and franking privileges.

What is Franking Privilege?

The right of members of Congress to send mail to their constituents at the government's expense, enhancing their ability to communicate and campaign.

What is the Representational (Delegate) Model of Congressional Behavior?

The theory that members of Congress primarily vote to please their constituents, acting as delegates of their district's wishes.

What is the Organizational Model of Congressional Behavior?

The theory that members of Congress primarily vote to please fellow members of Congress, especially those in their own party, to gain standing and influence within the institution.

What is the Attitudinal (Trustee) Model of Congressional Behavior?

The theory that members of Congress decide votes based on their own personal convictions and judgment, acting as trustees for the common good.

How do Caucuses influence Congress?

Groups of members of Congress who share common interests or demographic characteristics, working together to promote specific causes or legislation.

How does Congressional Staff influence Congress?

Staff members perform a variety of tasks for M.C.s, including legislative research, speechwriting, constituent services, and policy negotiation, greatly impacting legislative output.

What is a Standing Committee?

Permanent committees that handle specific policy areas (e.g., Agriculture, Finance) and are responsible for drafting, reviewing, and reporting legislation.

What is a Select Committee?

Temporary committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as conducting an investigation or addressing a particular issue, and usually disband after completing their task.

What is a Joint Committee?

Committees composed of members from both the House and Senate, focused on common concerns but typically lacking legislative authority (e.g., Joint Committee on the Library).

What is a Conference Committee?

Temporary joint committees formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill, producing a compromise version for both chambers to vote on.

What are Committee Chairmanships?

Powerful positions typically held by a senior member of the majority party on a committee, controlling the committee's agenda, hearings, and staff.

What is a Simple Resolution?

A legislative measure passed by only one chamber of Congress to express its opinion or set its rules, not requiring presidential approval and not having the force of law.

What is a Concurrent Resolution?

A legislative measure passed by both chambers of Congress to express an opinion or address a matter affecting both bodies, not requiring presidential approval and not having the force of law.

What is a Joint Resolution?

A legislative measure passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President (or passed over a veto), having the force of law. Often used for constitutional amendments (though these do not require presidential signature).

Summarize the Bill Becoming Law Process.

1. Introduction: Bill introduced by a member.
2. Committee Action: Referred to committee for review, hearings, and mark-up.
3. Floor Debate/Vote: If approved by committee, debated and voted on by full chamber.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, sent to the other chamber for similar process.
5. Conference Committee: If versions differ, a conference committee reconciles.
6. Presidential Action: Sent to President for signature, veto, or allowing it to become law without signature.

What are Appropriation Bills?

Legislation that authorizes government spending for specific programs and agencies, originating in the House of Representatives.

What does it mean to "Pigeonhole" a Bill?

A power of committee chairs to kill a bill by simply not acting on it, letting it die in committee without a vote or discussion.

What is the House Rules Committee?

A powerful committee in the House of Representatives that sets the terms for debate, amendments, and voting on most bills that come to the floor.

What is the Ways and Means Committee?

A powerful committee in the House of Representatives that has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs, and revenue-generating measures.

What is a Quorum?

The minimum number of members (usually a majority) who must be present to officially conduct business in a legislative body.

What is Double Tracking?

A Senate procedure to deal with a filibuster where the disputed bill is temporarily shelved, allowing the Senate to move on to other business without formally ending the filibuster. This makes filibustering less costly for the minority.

What is Pork Barrel Legislation?

Legislation that provides tangible benefits, such as jobs or public works projects, to a particular district or state in exchange for political support.

What is Gerrymandering?

The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage over another or to dilute the voting power of a particular group.

What was the significance of Baker v. Carr (1962)?

The Supreme Court ruled that federal courts have jurisdiction to hear cases challenging legislative apportionment, establishing the "one person, one vote" principle for state legislative districts, based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

What was the significance of Shaw v. Reno (1993)?

The Supreme Court ruled that redistricting based on race, solely to create majority-minority districts, is subject to strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause and may be unconstitutional if it results in oddly shaped districts that cannot be justified by compelling state interest.