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What enumerated power does Congress use to stimulate the economy by hiring unemployed people?
Tax and spend
What is perhaps the most important power that Congress has?
Commerce
Which branch of our government declares war?
Legislative
What does the War Powers Act do?
Limit the presidential war powers.
What are enumerated powers?
Explicitly stated powers.
What are implied powers?
Suggested but not stated explicitly powers, tied to the necessary and proper clause.
Give two examples of implied powers.
War Powers Act 2. Air Force
What are inherent powers?
Powers that nations have by virtue of being a nation.
What can Congress do with the courts?
Create lower courts, change the number of judges.
What is a bill of attainder?
Law that targets a specific group of people.
What is an ex post facto law?
Law that punishes people for actions taken before the law was created.
Why is the House of Representatives most responsive to the will of the people?
Elections every two years.
What is legislative oversight?
When members of Congress hold hearings to question a cabinet member on how a law is being carried out.
What happens once a President has been impeached?
The trial goes to the Senate.
How are congressional committee chairpersons typically chosen?
Through the seniority system.
What power does the Rules Committee have?
Place rules on bills in the House.
Which part of Congress is a more 'continuous body'?
The Senate, due to staggered elections.
What is cloture?
A procedure to kill a filibuster.
What is a House responsibility not shared with the Senate?
Impeachment.
What is a Senate responsibility not shared with the House?
Confirm presidential appointments.
Who has a largely ceremonial position in the Senate?
President pro tempore.
How is the Speaker of the House selected?
By the majority party.
Every ten years, the United States conducts a __________.
Census.
Who draws Congressional districts?
State legislatures.
What has happened to party polarization over time?
More polarized.
How can Congress address a Supreme Court action they disagree with?
Make a new law.
What is a temporary committee to investigate a specific issue?
Select committee.
What amendment democratized the Senate?
17th amendment.
How often are Senators elected?
Every 6 years.
What does impeachment mean?
Charge of wrongdoing, but does not mean removal.
What percentage of the Senate is up for election every 2 years?
1/3.
What happens when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill?
It goes to a conference committee.
Where does most important work of Congress take place?
In committees.
What is the main cause of Congress's inability to pass legislation?
Gridlock/hyper-partisanship.
Where must all revenue bills originate?
In the House.
What does it mean when a bill is pigeonholed?
It is dead in committee.
How do you override a presidential veto?
With a 2/3 vote in both houses.
What is pork barreling?
Earmarking funds for specific projects in a congressperson's district.
What are some differences in House and Senate procedures?
House has strict rules, Senate has more informal procedures.
What is a filibuster?
A tactic to stall debate.
How do you end a filibuster?
With cloture.
What does discretionary spending mean?
Expenditures where the government can choose how to spend.
What does mandatory spending involve?
Entitlements that must be funded.
Who does Congress work with to create the budget?
The President.
What is a surplus?
Money that is not spent in the budget year.
What does divided government mean?
The President and one of the houses have different political parties.
What is the most important factor in who will win a congressional election?
Incumbency.
What was the holding of Baker v. Carr?
Political cases are justiciable; one person, one vote.
What was the ruling of Shaw v. Reno?
No racial gerrymandering.
What is casework?
Work done for constituents by Congress members.
What are some advantages that assist an incumbent in winning?
Franking, name recognition, gerrymandering, money.
What is the 'revolving door'?
The movement between public sector jobs (such as Congress) and private sector (like lobbying).
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Flashcard (27)