2.1- Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives

advice and consent

power of the senate, allows senators to recommend or reject major presidential appointees such as Cabinet secretaries and federal judges

bicameral

2 branches or chambers

caucuses

groups of likeminded people in Congress, united by a particular belief/concern, each party has a group in each house, gather to elect representative leaders, set legislative agendas, and name committee members

coalitions

working relationships longer lasting senators can build

enumerated powers

limited number of specific powers given to Congress by the Constitution, Article 1 Section 8

implied powers

enumerated powers in Article 1 under necessary and proper clause

House of Representatives

makes and passes federal laws, one of Congress’s two chambers, legislative branch

necessary and proper clause

gives congress the power to make any law that is necessary and proper

power of the purse

ability of one group to control the actions of another group by withholding funding and putting stipulations on the use of funds

senate

upper house of Congress, two per state

17th Amendment

1913, changed elite democracy practice of states electing senators to the people electing them

War Powers Act

1973, reigns in exclusive power by requiring the President to inform Congress within 48 hours of committing US forces to combat, Congress must vote within 60 days (possible 30 day extension) to approve of any military forces and funding