AP Gov Congress Review Sheet

How many senators are elected from each state?

2

The fact that incumbents usually win reelection...

1. makes it more difficult for citizens to "send a message to Washington" with their votes

2. creates stability in the membership of Congress

3. insulates members of Congress from political change

4. allows representatives and senators to gain some expertise in dealing with public policy

The notion that presidential leadership of Congress is "at the margins" suggests that presidential leadership consists of ...

members of congress staff more local offices, members of congress spend more time raising campaign funds, members of congress spend more time at home in their states and districts, members of congress send more to their constituents (all)

When are the parties in Congress most cohesive?

when electing their official leaders

In contrasts to the trustee model of representation, the ________ model of representation is based on legislators mirroring the preferences of their constituents.

delegate

Which demographic group is the most underrepresented in Congress?

women

A legislature divided into two houses is called a ________ legislature.

bicameral

How often are house seats up for election?

2 years

How often are Senate seats up for election?

6 years

How is the Senate different from the House?

Senate is more influential on foreign affairs, Senate gives advice to President, and House helps local districts

Where do revenue bills originate?

House of Representatives

Who confirms Supreme Court nominees?

Senate

What is the job of the House Rules Committee?

reviews most bills coming from committee before they go to the full House

One of the key differences between the House and Senate is that the House

has more policy specialization

Analyze the filibuster process.

talk a bill to death, can stop with cloture, tie up legislative agenda

The procedure used to cut off debate and end a filibuster is known as what?

cloture

Who is the most powerful person in the Senate?

majority leader

A ____________committee is one appointed for a limited, specific purpose, such as that set up to investigate the Watergate scandal.

select

Appropriations, Judiciary, and Armed Services are all examples of

__________committees.

standing

__________Committees draw their membership from both the Senate and the House.

joint

What are the jobs of the committee chairs?

appoint subcommittees, hire staff, schedule hearings

When members of Congress hold a hearing to question a cabinet member on how a law is being carried out, they are engaging in what?

legislative oversight IDK IF RIGHT

Within the last few years, power in Congress has become more ..

decentralized with the proliferation of subcommittees and caucuses

Which office is responsible for making economic projections about the performance of the economy, the costs of proposed policies, and the economic effects of taxing and spending alternatives?

Congressional Budget Office

What are the minimum age requirements in the House and the Senate?

House: 25 and Senate: 30

Are members of Congress a good cross-section of the American people?

No, the members of Congress do not reflect a cross section of the American because many members are wealthy, white, middle-aged, and male.

In terms of religion, most members of Congress are .

Protestant

What are substantive and descriptive representation, and how does Congress relate?

possibly claim substantive representation, but not descriptive representation

Individuals already holding office are called ...

incumbents

Compared to members of the House, senators are...

more likely to face difficult reelection opponents

A member of Congress from Georgia would probably be attracted to which committees?

Agriculture

Presidential leadership of Congress "at the margins" refers to a notion of presidential leadership in which presidents

attempt to build coalitions and create a political climate favorable to the president's policy agenda.

Which of the following is TRUE of the Senate as compared to the House?

The Senate is more influential in foreign affairs