Topic 2.2 Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress AP Government

The video discusses the structure, power, and functions of Congress, divided into three main sections: the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the combined functions of both.

Confirmation Power: Senate confirms presidential nominations for federal judges, cabinet secretaries, and heads of executive agencies.
Ratification of Treaties: Senate can ratify or refuse treaties that the President negotiates.

President of the Senate: The Vice President acts as the President of the Senate, primarily holds a tie-breaking vote only in case of a 50-50 situation.
Senate Majority Leader: The most influential leader within the Senate from the majority party.

The Senate has fewer rules than the House, allowing more individual influence on legislation.
Filibusters: Extended speeches to delay or prevent a vote on a bill; only allowed in the Senate.
Holds: Requests to delay discussions on bills, effectively holding them back from voting.
Cloture Motion: Requires a three-fifths (60) vote to end filibusters or holds, empowering minority parties to influence legislation if they stick together.
Riders: Senators can attach non-germane (irrelevant) amendments to bills, enabling off-topic discussions as part of legislative tactics.
Unanimous Consent Agreements: Allow for expedited legislative processes by waiving normal Senate rules.

The House relies heavily on leadership roles due to the inability of individual members to perform actions like filibusters.
Speaker of the House: The most powerful individual in Congress, managing debates, scheduling votes, and advancing party legislation.

All bills must pass through the House Rules Committee, which sets the rules and time limits for debate, also enforcing a germane requirement.
Strict Time Limits: Limit speeches to ensure efficient debate without the possibility of a filibuster.
Discharge Petition: A mechanism for bringing a bill stuck in committee to the House floor if a majority agrees.

Standing Committees: Permanent committees that evaluate, amend, and revise bills; most bills do not make it out of these committees.
Conference Committees: Formed from both chambers to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate.

Congress controls federal funding through the federal budget, with two spending types:
- Discretionary Spending: Annual spending decided by Congress; includes defense and education.
- Mandatory Spending: Obligations of Congress defined by law, covering entitlement programs and national debt interest, accounting for about 70% of the total federal budget.

As mandatory spending grows, discretionary spending decreases, limiting Congress's fiscal power and options for funding.

Pork Barrel Spending: Legislation that provides direct benefits to a specific congressional district, aiding representatives' reelection prospects.
Log Rolling: Vote trading among representatives; one representative agrees to support another's district projects in exchange for support on their own.

These elements highlight the varying structures and powers within Congress, as well as their effects on the legislative process and federal budgeting.