US Congress and Presidency

House of Representatives Requirements

435 members, minimum 25 years old, U.S. citizen for 7 years, serves 2-year terms.

Senate Requirements

100 members (2 per state), minimum 30 years old, U.S. citizen for 9 years, serves 6-year terms.

Revenue Bills

Tax laws that must constitutionally originate in the House of Representatives (Article I, Section 7).

Impeachment Process

The House votes to impeach (charge) by a majority; the Senate conducts the trial and requires a 2/3 vote to convict/remove.

Filibuster

Continuous floor debate in the Senate used by a minority to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

Cloture Motion

A procedural vote in the Senate requiring 60 votes (supermajority) to end a filibuster and limit debate.

Conference Committee

A temporary joint committee created to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Pocket Veto

An indirect presidential veto occurring when the President takes no action on a bill within 10 days while Congress is adjourned.

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Government funding allocated to localized projects primarily benefiting a specific lawmaker's district.

Logrolling

An agreement between lawmakers to trade votes in support of each other's proposed legislation.

Delegate Model

Representation style where a lawmaker votes strictly according to the expressed desires of their constituents.

Trustee Model

Representation style where a lawmaker uses their independent judgment and expertise to make legislative decisions.

Politico Model

Representation style where a lawmaker switches between delegate and trustee roles depending on political conditions.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Supreme Court case establishing "One Person, One Vote" and ruling that federal courts have jurisdiction over state redistricting.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Supreme Court case ruling that redistricting based predominantly on race violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

22nd Amendment

Constitutional amendment capping presidential tenure to two terms or a maximum of 10 years.

25th Amendment

Constitutional amendment establishing presidential succession and procedures for presidential disability.

Formal Powers

Explicit constitutional powers granted to the President (e.g., Commander in Chief, veto, negotiating treaties, issuing pardons).

Informal Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution derived from the office (e.g., executive orders, executive agreements, bully pulpit).

Executive Order

Direct rule or regulation issued by the President that carries the full force of federal law without requiring congressional approval.

Executive Agreement

An international agreement between the President and a foreign head of state that does not require Senate treaty ratification.

Executive Privilege

The President's right to withhold confidential executive communications from legislative or judicial oversight.

War Powers Resolution (1973)

Federal law requiring the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of military deployment and limits unauthorized troop commitments to 60 days.

The Cabinet

Advisory body composed of the Vice President and heads of the 15 executive departments appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.