ap gov unit 4

  • House of rep structures powers and functions: 435 members by population serving two terms led by speaker of the house, initiates revenue bills, impeches, elected the president in electoral college deadlocks, representation of districts, legislative, oversight 

  • Senate structure powers and functions : 100 members 2 from each state six year terms, vp is president of senate, confirms treaties and presidential appointment, conducts impeachment trials, and approved legislation, representation of states, oversight 

  • Coalitions in congress: groups of legislators formed based on shared policy goals, party affiliation, or regional interests, can influence policy making 

  • Congress has exclusive power over budget, raising revenue, money, declaring war and managing armed forces 

  • Necessary and proper clause: used to address evolving challenges such as climate change, healthcare, and economic regulation 

  • Committee system: organized int standing, select, joint and conference committees 

  • House has rules on debate and amendments dominated by the Rules COmmittee

  • Senate is more flexible and emphasizes extended debate and minority rights 

  • HR: speaker, majority/minority leaders, whips 

  • S: vp, majority/minority leaders, president pro tempore 

  • Filibuster: prolonged debate to delay a vote in senate 

  • Cloture: motion requiring 60 votes to end debate and proceed 

  • Holds: informal objection to delay legislation 

  • Unanimous consent: agreement to expedite proceedings without formal votes 

  • Rules Committee: Sets debate rules.

  • Committee of the Whole: Simplifies debate on bills.

  • Discharge Petition: Forces a bill out of committee for floor consideration.

  • Senate ratifies treaties with ⅔ vote and confirmed federal apts 

  • Discretionary Spending: Annual budget allocations (e.g., defense, education).

  • Mandatory Spending: Required by law (e.g., Social Security, Medicare).

  • Pork Barrel: Localized projects to benefit constituents.

  • Logrolling: Reciprocal vote-trading among legislators.

  • Gerrymandering: Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage.

  • Redistricting: Redrawing districts post-census.

  • Unequal Representation: Population discrepancies across districts.

  • Shaw v reno: rules racial gerrymandering unconstitutional under equal protection clause 

  • Lame duck: outgoing politician is an elected official whose successor has already been elected or will be soon

  • Trustee: Uses personal judgment.

  • Delegate: Acts based on constituents’ wishes.

  • Politico: Balances both approaches.

  • Constitutional Powers: Vetoes, appointments, treaties.

  • Informal Powers: Agenda-setting, public persuasion.

  • Veto: Formal rejection of legislation.

  • Pocket Veto: Inaction on a bill within 10 days during a congressional adjournment.

  • Cabinet members: advisors leading executive departments 

  • Ambassadors: appointed reps of u.s. Interests abroad

  • White house staff: includes key advisors and aides who support the president's agenda

  • Single executive fed No 70: hamilton argued for a unitary executive for efficiency and accountability 

  • 22nd amendment: 2 term limit ( 8 years in total) 

  • Committee Hearings: Questioning agency officials or experts about compliance with laws.

  • Investigations: Conducting inquiries into suspected issues or misuse of power.

  • Reports and Audits: Reviewing government agency reports or commissioning audits through bodies like the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

  • Committee hearing: Formal sessions where committees gather information, question witnesses, and assess government agency actions.

  • Power of the purse: Refers to Congress's authority to control government spending and funding.

  • Presidential Power: Congress can limit executive overreach by investigating actions, withholding funds, or passing restrictive legislation.

  • Executive Authorization: Ensures presidential actions comply with legal authorizations (e.g., war powers or emergency declarations).

  • Appropriation: Congress can deny or redirect funding to curb presidential initiatives or agency actions it opposes.