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AP Gov Unit 2: Branches of Government

==Legislative Branch: Makes Laws, Article I==

  • Congress (Senate & House)
    • House: 435 members, apportioned by population - 1 per district
    • represents the population of each individual state
    • 2-year terms, CLOSER to people + more members = more FORMAL debate
  • Senate: 6 year terms, 2 per state = 100 total
    • based on equal representation
  • Structures, Powers, Functions
    • House: led by Speaker + other members
    • Senate: VP = Senate President by default; ceremonial role: only breaks ties, Major leader “actually” leads, Minor leader, Whips (collect votes)
    • Committee Types: Standing, select, conference
    • House Rules: all bills in House must pass for debate rules to be considered, closed rule: more strict, open: less strict
    • delegate model - when representative acts on the wills and wishes of their constituency
    • trustee model - when representatives listen to constituents but use their best judgement when deciding to vote
    • politico model - involves both the trustee and delegate model; legislators follow their own judgement until the public becomes vocal about a particular matter, then they follow the will of their constituents
  • Bill → Law: any legislator introduces → sent to committee & subcommittee (may be pigeonholed AKA die in committee) → versions passed → ^^conference committee^^
    • 10 days for President to sign/veto until it becomes law (unless Congress leaves in 10 days) → ^^pocket veto^^
  • Federal Spending
    • the president is the commander in chief of the military but Congress has the power to declare war
    • War Powers Act - aims to give more power to the legislative branch by stating that there must be notification by the President to the legislative branch within 48 hours of deploying troops
    • money for war comes from Congress
    • treaties are formal and only the President is allowed to negotiate a treaty, it must be confirmed by the Senate with a 2/3 majority
  • Judicial Branch
    • judicial review - the power by which the Supreme Court can review action of the other branches of government and declare them unconstitutional
    • the Judiciary Act of 1789 established the 3-level federal court system which remains today
    • district courts are the first level of the system (94 district courts)
    • circuit court of appeals is the second level (13 court court of appeals)
    • Supreme court is the highest court in the United States (review cases from state supreme courts and federal courts of appeal)