The Legislature Flashcards
(27 cards)
Congress
Consists of The House of Representatives and the Senate to form the Legislative Branch
House of Representatives
Lower house consisting of 435 members, directly elected to represent districts within states, serving 2 year terms
Oversight of Executive
‘Elastic Clause’ grants this power
- Confirming appointments
- override presidential veto
- ratifying treaties
Standing Committees
exist in both houses & as sub-committees with around 18 members in the senate ad 30 in the House
Senate
Upper house consisting of 100 members directly elected to represent an entire state, serving a 6 year term
Role of Congress
Through legislative debate and compromise, the U.S. Congress makes laws, oversee the executive branch, and serves as the voice of the people and the states in the federal government.
Powers of Congress
- Law Making
- initiating constitutional amendments
- Impeachment & removal of public officials
- confirm appointed vice president
- declare war
- overseeing executive
- overseeing judiciary
African Americans in Congress
52 in house
3 in the senate
How do congress members fulfil representative role
Joining standing committees (of relevance)
Lobby executive departments (on relevant issues to state/district)
Fundraise (for state/district)
Constitutional Requirements for the House of Representatives
25 years minimum, US resident for 7 years and live in state they represent
Constitutional Requirements for the Senate
30 years minimum, US resident for 9 years and live in state they represent
3 Function of Standing Committees
Scrutiny of the executive branch
Committee stage of Legislative process
Conduct Investigations
House Rules Committees
Standing Committee in the House of Representatives responsible for organising the order bills enter the debate stage of the legislative process
Conference Committees
Draws up a bill reconciling the differences between the different versions made in the two houses who can refuse to sign the compromised version.
Select Committees
Set up to investigate a particular issue that is likely to be time consuming, with members from both houses.
Who are Committee Chairs
majority party in the house e.g. standing committee chairs in 115th congress all republican
Example of a select committee?
2014 John Boehner - House Select Committee following Terrorist Attack in Benghazi
Whats the role of committee chairs
decide when to meet
controls committees budget
spokesperson for the committee
Legislative Process
First Reading/Introduction Committee Stage Time Tabling (house rules committee) Second Reading/Floor Debate Conference Committee Presidential Action
Negatives of the Legislative Process
- Crowded process
- Complicated process
- Need for Super-Majority
- Power lies with Standing committees
Positives of the Legislative Process
- Houses have equal power
- Past significant legislation that has shaped America
Women in Congress
102 in house
25 in senate
Types of Presidential Action
Signing the bill
leaving the bill on desk
regular veto
pocket veto
Representation; Trustee Model?
Make own judgement/decision for the benefit of others
