AP Gov 2.1 2.2

Advice and consent

The Senate’s constitutional power to approve or reject presidential appointments (e.g., judges, ambassadors, cabinet officials) and treaties.

Bicameral

A two-house legislature; in the U.S., Congress is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Caucuses

Groups of members of Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives (e.g., Congressional Black Caucus, Freedom Caucus).

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution (Article I, Section 8), such as taxing, declaring war, and regulating commerce.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated but reasonably inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) — e.g., creating a national bank.

Inherent powers

Powers Congress and the president need to get the job done but aren’t specified in the Constitution; often relate to foreign affairs and national sovereignty.

Power of the purse

Congress’s control over government spending and taxation; allows it to check the executive branch.

Members

435 (based on population, 2-year terms)

Constituency

Smaller, local districts

Leadership

Speaker of the House (most powerful), Majority and Minority Leaders

Powers

Initiates revenue bills, impeaches federal officials, chooses president if Electoral College is tied

Rules

More formal; limited debate; Rules Committee controls floor debate

Focus

More responsive to public opinion; short-term issues

Members

100 (2 per state, 6-year terms)

Constituency

Larger, statewide

Leadership

Vice President (President of Senate), President Pro Tempore, Majority and Minority Leaders

Powers

Confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, conducts impeachment trials

Rules

Less formal; unlimited debate (filibuster possible)

Focus

More deliberate; long-term national issues

Speaker of the House

Mike Johnson (R–LA) — Presides over the House, controls floor debate, assigns bills to committees, and is 2nd in line for the presidency.

Minority Leader of the House

Hakeem Jeffries (D–NY) — Leads the opposition party and coordinates Democratic legislative strategy.

President of the Senate

Vice President J.D. Vance — Presides over the Senate, casts tie-breaking votes.

Majority Leader of the Senate

John Thune (R–SD) — True leader of the Senate; sets agenda and guides party strategy.

Minority Leader of the Senate

Chuck Schumer (D–NY) — Leads minority party, negotiates with majority leadership.

Congressional committees

Smaller groups in Congress that handle specific policy areas and review bills. Most legislative work happens in committees.

Types of Committees (p.112)

Standing – permanent; handle broad areas (e.g., Armed Services).
Select – temporary; for specific purposes (e.g., investigations).
Joint – members of both houses; for coordination.
Conference – reconcile House and Senate bill versions.

House Rules Committee

Decides how and when bills will be debated and voted on; powerful in controlling the legislative process.

Filibuster

Tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote by extending debate.

Cloture rule

Procedure to end a filibuster; requires 60 votes in the Senate.

Riders

Unrelated amendments added to a bill, often to pass controversial measures.

Omnibus bill

A large bill that includes multiple issues or programs, often used to pass many provisions at once; Christmas Tree bill

Pork-barrel spending

Government spending for local projects designed to please voters or legislators and help win votes.

Logrolling

“You vote for my bill, I’ll vote for yours” — mutual support among legislators for each other’s bills.

Mandatory spending

Required by law; includes entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.

Entitlement

Government benefits that all qualified individuals are legally entitled to receive. These programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, guarantee payments or benefits to all who qualify, regardless of budget limitations for that specific program.

Discretionary spending

Government spending that Congress must approve each year, such as defense, education, and transportation.

Budget deficit

When government spending exceeds revenue in a single fiscal year.

Budget debt

The total amount the government owes from accumulated deficits over time.

Size

435 members

100 members

Term Length

2 years

6 years

Representation

By population

Equal (2 per state)

Debate Rules

Strict limits on debate; Rules Committee controls floor time

Unlimited debate; filibusters allowed

Leadership

Speaker of the House

Majority Leader (real power), VP presides

Special Powers

Initiates revenue bills, impeaches officials

Confirms appointments, ratifies treaties, tries impeachments

Constituents

Local districts

Entire states

Focus

Domestic/local concerns

National and foreign policy

House

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer; sets agenda; assigns bills to committees.

Majority Leader

Helps plan legislative agenda; supports Speaker.

Minority Leader

Heads opposition party in House.

Whips

Assist leaders, count votes, maintain party discipline.

Senate

Vice President (President of Senate)

Presides over Senate; votes in ties.

President Pro Tempore

Senior member of majority party; presides when VP absent.

Majority Leader

Sets legislative agenda; most powerful senator.

Minority Leader

Leads opposition in Senate.

Whips

Manage party voting strategy.