AP government Unit 2.1 Notes

1. The Structure of Congress

• Bicameralism: Derived from the Great Compromise, creating a two-house legislature to balance interests between large and small states.

• The House of Representatives:

  • Membership: $435$ members, apportioned by state population.

  • Terms: $2$-year terms; all seats are up for election every even-numbered year.

  • Constituencies: Represents specific congressional districts.

  • Operation: Highly centralized and formal. The House Rules Committee acts as a "traffic cop" for legislation.

• The Senate:

  • Membership: $100$ members ($2$ per state).

  • Terms: $6$-year terms; staggered so that $\frac{1}{3}$ of the Senate is up for election every $2$ years.

  • Constituencies: Represents the entire state.

  • Operation: Less formal and more deliberative. Individual senators have significant power (e.g., the filibuster).

2. Constitutional Powers of Congress

• Enumerated Powers (Article I, Section 8):

  • Power of the Purse: The authority to tax, spend, and borrow money.

  • Commerce Clause: Power to regulate interstate and international trade.

  • Foreign Policy: Power to declare war and maintain an army and navy.

  • Coining Money: Establishing a national currency and punishing counterfeiting.

• Implied Powers:

  • Based on the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause).

  • Allows Congress to pass laws necessary to carry out its expressed duties (e.g., creating the IRS to collect taxes).

3. Chamber-Specific Responsibilities

• The House of Representatives:

  • Originates all revenue (tax) bills.

  • Power of impeachment (bringing formal charges against an official).

  • Selects the President if the Electoral College fails to reach a majority.

• The Senate:

  • Advice and Consent: Confirms presidential appointments (Cabinet members, federal judges, ambassadors).

  • Ratification of treaties ($\frac{2}{3}$ vote required).

  • Conducts impeachment trials (serves as the jury; conviction requires a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote).

4. Congressional Leadership and Committees

• Leadership Roles:

  • Speaker of the House: The highest officer in the House; directs legislative agenda.

  • President of the Senate: The Vice President of the U.S.; only votes to break a tie.

  • President Pro Tempore: Presides in the VP's absence; usually the most senior member of the majority party.

  • Floor Leaders and Whips: Manage party strategy and ensure party members vote together.

• The Committee System:

  • Standing Committees: Permanent bodies that evaluate bills and provide oversight.

  • Select/Special Committees: Temporary bodies created for specific investigations.

  • Conference Committees: Ad hoc committees created to reconcile different versions of the same bill passed by the House and Senate.