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AP Gov Unit 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the composition of the Senate?

A

The Senate has 100 members, with 2 per state, serving 6-year terms and representing larger constituencies (whole state).

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2
Q

What is the composition of the House of Representatives?

A

The House of Representatives has 435 members, serving 2-year terms and representing smaller constituencies (districts).

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3
Q

How do the sizes of the House and Senate affect their rules and procedures?

A

The House is large (435 members) while the Senate is small (100 members), which affects their rules and procedures.

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4
Q

What are enumerated powers?

A

Enumerated powers are explicit powers listed in the Constitution, such as passing budgets, raising revenue, coining money, declaring war, and maintaining armed forces.

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5
Q

What are implied powers?

A

Implied powers are not explicitly stated but are necessary for carrying out enumerated powers, as established by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

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6
Q

What is the policy-making process in Congress?

A

The policy-making process involves bills being introduced, going through committees, debated, voted on, and then sent to the president.

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7
Q

What are Congressional Standing Committees?

A

Standing Committees are permanent committees in Congress, such as the Judiciary and Armed Services Committees.

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8
Q

Who is the Speaker of the House?

A

The Speaker of the House is the most powerful person in the House, controlling the agenda.

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9
Q

What is the role of the President of the Senate?

A

The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate and breaks tie votes.

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10
Q

What is the role of party leadership in Congress?

A

Party leadership includes majority and minority leaders and whips who organize party votes.

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11
Q

What is the function of committee chairs?

A

Committee chairs, usually from the majority party, control the committee agendas.

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12
Q

What is a filibuster?

A

A filibuster is an endless debate used to block a vote in the Senate.

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13
Q

What is cloture?

A

Cloture is a procedure to end a filibuster, requiring 60 votes.

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14
Q

What is a hold in the Senate?

A

A hold is when a senator temporarily blocks a bill or nomination.

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15
Q

What is unanimous consent in the Senate?

A

Unanimous consent is a procedure that speeds up debate when there are no objections.

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16
Q

What does the Rules Committee do in the House?

A

The Rules Committee sets the debate rules for bills in the House.

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17
Q

What is the Committee of the Whole in the House?

A

The Committee of the Whole allows for a faster debate with a quorum of 100 members.

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18
Q

What are discharge petitions in the House?

A

Discharge petitions force a bill out of committee with a majority vote.

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19
Q

What is the Senate’s role in treaty ratification?

A

The Senate approves treaties with a two-thirds vote.

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20
Q

What is the Senate’s role in confirmation?

A

The Senate confirms presidential nominees, including judges and cabinet members.

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21
Q

What is the federal budget?

A

Congress controls the federal budget, exercising the power of the purse.

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22
Q

What is discretionary spending?

A

Discretionary spending is optional spending, such as on defense and education.

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23
Q

What is mandatory spending?

A

Mandatory spending is required spending, such as on Social Security.

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24
Q

What is entitlement spending?

A

Entitlement spending refers to benefits provided to eligible individuals, like Medicare.

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25
What is a budget deficit?
A budget deficit occurs when spending exceeds revenue.
26
What is pork barrel spending?
Pork barrel spending refers to funds allocated for local projects to win votes, often criticized.
27
What is party polarization?
Party polarization refers to the increased ideological division between parties.
28
What is gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is the practice of redrawing district lines to favor a particular party.
29
What is redistricting?
Redistricting is the process of redrawing district lines every 10 years after the census.
30
What does 'One Person, One Vote' mean?
'One Person, One Vote' means districts must have roughly equal populations, as established in Baker v. Carr.
31
What is a divided government?
A divided government occurs when the presidency and Congress are controlled by different parties.
32
What is a lame-duck official?
A lame-duck official is an outgoing official with little power after a successor has been elected.
33
What is a trustee in Congress?
A trustee is a legislator who votes based on their own judgment.
34
What is a delegate in Congress?
A delegate is a legislator who votes to reflect the wishes of their constituents.
35
What is a politico in Congress?
A politico is a legislator who combines the roles of trustee and delegate.
36
What are the formal powers of the President?
Formal powers include vetoing bills, appointing officials, negotiating treaties, and serving as commander-in-chief.
37
What are informal powers of the President?
Informal powers include executive orders, bargaining, and using the bully pulpit.
38
What is a veto?
A veto is the rejection of a bill by the President.
39
What is a pocket veto?
A pocket veto occurs when the President takes no action on a bill and Congress adjourns, causing the bill to die.
40
What is the role of the President as commander-in-chief?
The President serves as the military leader.
41
What is required for treaty ratification?
Treaties require Senate ratification.
42
What are executive agreements?
Executive agreements are similar to treaties but do not require Senate approval.
43
What are executive orders?
Executive orders are directives issued by the President to federal agencies, enforceable like law.
44
What are signing statements?
Signing statements are comments made by the President on a law, indicating how it will be enforced or interpreted.
45
What is the Senate's role in appointments?
The Senate confirms judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members.
46
How can executive orders be challenged?
Executive orders can be challenged by courts or undone by future presidents.
47
What is the Twenty-Second Amendment?
The Twenty-Second Amendment establishes a 2-term limit for the President.
48
How have formal and informal powers expanded presidential influence?
Both formal and informal powers, especially informal ones like executive orders and agreements, have been used to expand presidential influence.
49
What is the State of the Union address?
The State of the Union is an annual address by the President to Congress and the public to propose an agenda.
50
What is the bully pulpit?
The bully pulpit refers to the President's use of media to shape public opinion and pressure Congress.
51
What is judicial review?
Judicial review is the power of courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison.
52
What is life tenure for federal judges?
Federal judges serve for life, ensuring their independence.
53
What is precedent in the judicial system?
Precedent refers to past court decisions that guide future rulings.
54
What does stare decisis mean?
Stare decisis means 'let the decision stand,' indicating that courts should follow precedent.
55
How are federal judges appointed?
The President nominates federal judges, and the Senate confirms them.
56
What is judicial activism?
Judicial activism refers to courts taking an active role in policy-making.
57
What is judicial restraint?
Judicial restraint is when courts defer to the elected branches of government.
58
How can constitutional amendments check the judicial branch?
Constitutional amendments can overturn court rulings, such as the 14th Amendment nullifying Dred Scott.
59
What is the role of Congress in court jurisdiction?
Congress controls the types of cases that courts can hear.
60
Who enforces court rulings?
Other branches of government are responsible for enforcing court decisions.
61
What are regulations in the bureaucracy?
Regulations are rules created by agencies that carry the force of law.
62
What are fines in relation to regulations?
Fines are penalties imposed for violating regulations.
63
What is congressional testimony?
Congressional testimony involves bureaucrats testifying before Congress.
64
What is an issue network?
An issue network is an alliance of interest groups, agencies, and academics focused on policy.
65
What are iron triangles?
Iron triangles are the relationships between bureaucracy, interest groups, and Congress that work together.
66
What is political patronage?
Political patronage refers to providing jobs for political supporters, though it is less common now.
67
What is the civil service?
The civil service consists of bureaucrats hired based on merit.
68
What is the merit system?
The merit system involves hiring based on qualifications and tests.
69
What is bureaucratic discretion?
Bureaucratic discretion allows agencies to decide how to enforce laws.
70
What is rule-making in the bureaucracy?
Rule-making is the process by which agencies write detailed rules.
71
What is policy implementation in the bureaucracy?
Policy implementation refers to how agencies enforce policies.
72
What is oversight in relation to the bureaucracy?
Oversight is Congress's ability to check the bureaucracy through various means.
73
What are committee hearings?
Committee hearings are sessions where Congress questions bureaucrats.
74
What is the power of the purse?
The power of the purse refers to Congress's control over funding.

AP Government (3 decks)

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