lecture recording on 24 February 2025 at 12.08.44 PM

Legislative Branch

• Committees and Specialization

  • House members focus on specific areas (e.g., agriculture, foreign affairs).

  • This specialization enhances expertise within legislative committees.

• Term Length

  • House members serve a two-year term.

  • Senators serve a six-year term.

  • No term limits, allowing members to be reelected multiple times.

• Incumbent Advantage

  • Incumbents have over 90% likelihood of reelection.

    • High media recognition and franking privileges contribute to this.

  • Franking: Free mailing privileges for communication about activities done in office.

• Log Rolling

  • Members of Congress may agree to support each other's legislation in exchange for mutual support (termed log rolling).

• Pork Barrel Legislation

  • Involves adding appropriations (funds) to benefit the member's home district, enhancing the chance of securing votes from local constituents.

Executive Branch

• Article II Overview

  • The executive branch enforces laws and oversees government operations.

  • Responsibilities include initiating policy and law enforcement.

• Presidential Qualifications

  • Informal qualifications include age and financial backing, although formal qualifications require the president to be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old.

• Electoral College

  • The president is not elected directly; the Electoral College determines the elected candidate.

  • Every state equates electors to its number of Congressional representatives (House + Senate members).

  • Post-reapportionment, Texas has 40 electoral votes.

• Elector Selection

  • Electors are chosen by state legislatures primarily based on the chosen political party.

  • States typically use a winner-take-all system (except Maine and Nebraska).

• Presidential Succession

  • Line of succession: 1. Vice President, 2. Speaker of the House, 3. Senate Pro Tempore.

• Powers of the President

  • Expressed powers, like being the Commander in Chief; however, many roles are implied and have expanded over time.

• Chief Legislator Role

  • He initiates policy and can sign/veto legislation.

  • Can call special sessions of Congress.

• Chief Administrator Role

  • Implements laws through executive orders; can appoint and remove officials and prepare the executive budget.

• Diplomatic Powers

  • Can negotiate treaties (which must be ratified by Senate) and engage in executive agreements that do not require Senate approval.

Judicial Branch

• Judicial Review

  • Primary role is to review laws and executive actions, established by Marbury v. Madison.

• Dual Court System

  • Structured with federal and state courts; federal courts consist of district courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court.

• Federal Court Structure

  1. District Courts

     • Lowest tier with original jurisdiction over federal cases (e.g., federal crime, civil cases over $50,000).

  2. Courts of Appeal (Circuit Courts)

     • No original jurisdiction; only appellate jurisdiction, meaning they hear cases that come from district courts.

  3. Supreme Court

     • Highest court with both original and appellate jurisdiction.

• Supreme Court Decisions

  • Majority of cases appeal from lower courts; the Supreme Court operates on the Rule of Four, needing at least four justices to agree to hear a case.

• Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint

  • Judicial Restraint: Judges should interpret laws strictly and remain less involved in altering legislation.

  • Judicial Activism: Judges interpret the Constitution as a living document and may involve themselves actively in societal issues.