Ch 7 US Gov

  1. Types of Resolution:

    1. Simple Resolution: Passed by either the House or Senate, it does not have the force of law and is used for matters affecting only one chamber.

    2. Concurrent Resolution: Requires the approval of both the House and Senate but does not require the President’s signature and does not have the force of law. It’s used for matters affecting both chambers, like budget decisions.

    3. Joint Resolution: Similar to a bill and has the force of law if passed by both chambers and signed by the President. It’s often used for constitutional amendments or temporary measures.

  2. Which committee in the House deals with tax laws?

    1. The House Ways and Means Committee is responsible for tax legislation.

  3. What are uncontrollable expenditures, and why must the government pay them?

    1. Uncontrollable expenditures are government expenses that cannot be easily altered because they are mandated by existing law, such as Social Security payments, Medicare, and interest on the national debt. The government must pay them because they are obligations required by law.

  4. Which political party tends to vote in favor of business? Social welfare programs?

    1. Historically, the Republican Party tends to vote in favor of business interests, while the Democratic Party tends to support social welfare programs.

  5. What are PACs?

    1. Political Action Committees (PACs) are organizations that collect and distribute campaign funds to candidates and political parties in order to influence elections and policy decisions.

  6. What do federal grants and contracts provide?

    1. Federal grants and contracts provide funding for various public projects, research, and services, often awarded to state and local governments, universities, and organizations.

  7. Explain the difference between public and private bills.

    1. A public bill applies to the general public or a large segment of it, like national policies or budget allocations. A private bill affects only a specific individual, organization, or locality, often used for immigration issues or individual claims.

  8. The largest portion of the federal budget is spent on what?

    1. The largest portion of the federal budget is spent on mandatory spending, primarily Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

  9. What are entitlements?

    1. Entitlements are programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements, such as Social Security and Medicare.

  10. Which committee can cut budgets?

    1. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees are responsible for setting the spending limits and can cut budgets.

  11. What are lobbyists?

    1. Lobbyists are individuals or groups hired by organizations to influence lawmakers and government officials on specific legislation or policies.

  12. What is pork-barrel legislation?

    1. Pork-barrel legislation refers to the allocation of government spending for local projects, often to benefit a legislator’s constituency in exchange for political support.

  13. What is a rider?

    1. A rider is an additional provision added to a bill that may not be related to the bill’s main subject. It’s often used to pass controversial measures.

  14. What are the functions of the Appropriations Committee?

    1. The Appropriations Committee is responsible for passing bills that regulate expenditures of government money. It decides how much money will be allocated to different government agencies and programs.

  15. Why is casework important?

    1. Casework involves legislators helping constituents solve problems with government agencies. It’s important because it builds trust and support with voters and ensures constituents’ needs are addressed.

  16. What are hearings?

    1. Hearings are formal meetings or sessions where committees gather information and opinions on proposed legislation, conduct investigations, or oversee executive branch actions.

  17. What are the types of vetoes that the president can use? Which one was ruled unconstitutional?

    1. The President can use a regular veto (rejecting the bill outright) and a pocket veto (allowing a bill to die by taking no action if Congress adjourns). The line-item veto, allowing the President to reject specific parts of a bill, was ruled unconstitutional in 1998.

  18. What are the four different methods of voting done in the House?

    1. Voice vote: Members call out "yea" or "nay."

    2. Division vote: Members stand to be counted.

    3. Recorded vote: A roll call vote where each member’s vote is recorded.

    4. Electronic vote: Members use electronic devices to cast their votes.

  19. What is pigeonholing? Logrolling? Conferees?

    1. Pigeonholing: When a committee ignores a bill, effectively killing it.

    2. Logrolling: The practice of exchanging favors, such as trading votes to gain support for different legislature' bills.

    3. Conferees: Members of a conference committee appointed to resolve disagreements between the House and Senate on a particular bill.

  20. What are the differences between a tax bill, an appropriations bill, and an authorization bill?

    1. A tax bill deals with taxes and revenue collection.

    2. An appropriations bill provides the actual funding for government programs.

    3. An authorization bill establishes or continues a government program or agency and sets the terms under which it operates.

  21. Why do so few bills that get introduced in Congress become law?

    1. Bills must pass through multiple stages, including committee reviews, debates, votes in both the House and Senate, and potential vetoes by the President. Many bills are stalled or altered, and political disagreements, procedural rules, and time constraints limit the number of bills that become law.