AP US Government Unit 2 Review

Overview of the United States Congress

  • Bicameral legislature: Senate (100 members) and House of Representatives (435 members).

House of Representatives

  • Represents the people.

  • Membership based on population; elections every 2 years.

  • Formal structure: strict rules of debate.

  • Term Length: 2 years.

  • Speaker of the House controls debate and committee assignments.

  • Characteristics: smaller constituencies, higher re-election rates in 'safe seats'.

Senate

  • Represents states; equal representation (2 per state).

  • Membership: 100 members; elections every 6 years (one-third every 2 years).

  • Looser debate rules, allowing for extended discussions.

  • Vice President is President of the Senate; daily operations managed by Senate Majority Leader.

Comparison of Chambers

  • Representation: House based on population; Senate equal.

  • Term Length: House (2 years); Senate (6 years).

  • Leadership: Speaker of the House vs. Senate Majority Leader.

  • Debate Rules: More formal in the House; less formal in the Senate.

  • Powers: House initiates revenue bills; Senate advises on treaties and nominations.

Congressional Powers

  • Enumerated Powers: Explicit powers granted by Article I; includes taxation, war powers, regulating commerce.

  • Implied Powers: Derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause; allows flexibility in governance.

  • Significant Case: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) affirmed Congress's implied powers.

Legislative Oversight

  • Congress conducts oversight via hearings, investigations, and budget control.

  • Example: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985.

Models of Representation

  • Delegate: Represents constituents' preferences.

  • Trustee: Acts on personal judgment.

  • Politico: Mixture of both approaches.

Polarization and Partisanship

  • Increased ideological division; leads to gridlock in divided government.

  • Effects of public opinion on legislators, especially in House elections.

The Executive Branch

  • Article II outlines presidential powers: military commander, treaty negotiator.

  • Informal Powers: Executive orders, veto power, signing statements.

  • Bully Pulpit: Presidents use media appearances to influence public and Congress.

The Judicial Branch

  • Article III establishes the judiciary; judicial review from Marbury v. Madison (1803).

  • Stare Decisis: Doctrine to follow precedents.

  • Important cases: Brown v. Board of Education; Roe v. Wade.

The Bureaucracy

  • Implements laws and regulations; operates through executive agencies.

  • Discretionary Authority: Agencies' power to enforce and interpret laws.

  • Rule-making Authority: Agencies create regulations with the force of law.

  • Challenges of accountability and influence from interest groups.

Checks and Balances

  • Each branch holds power to check the other: Congress controls funding, the President appoints officials, and the judiciary reviews laws.

Conclusion

  • The interaction between these branches shapes public policy through both cooperation and conflict. Key documents include the Constitution, Federalist Papers, and key Supreme Court cases. Understanding these interactions is crucial for grasping U.S. governance.