Unit 2 Flashcards
1
Q
Is it constitutional for racial gerrymandering to occur
A
yes it just cant be the only reason
2
Q
How many members of the senate represent Connecticut? How many senate members in total are there?
A
2,100
3
Q
How many house member represent each state? How many house members in total are there?
A
depends its based on population, 435
4
Q
What leadership role of the house keeps the members in order and maintains regulations?
A
whip
5
Q
The durability of the working relationships are affected by term length differences.
A
coalitions
6
Q
what do standing committees, joint committees, select committees, and conference committees all have in common?
A
they are found in both the house and the senate
7
Q
when the vice president is unable to take charge of the senate who obtains the superior role?
A
president pro tempre
8
Q
What is the proper term for when a member of the senate objects to a bill?
A
hold
9
Q
Which article does the judicial branch get their power from?
A
3
10
Q
Which article does the legislative branch get their power from?
A
1
11
Q
Which article does the executive branch get their power from?
A
2
12
Q
Article ii gives the president powers, what are some examples of formal powers?
A
veto/sign, appoints ambassadors and judges, covene or adjourn congress
13
Q
What is the specific term for when a president waits until a bill expires so they don’t have to sign it?
A
pocket veto
14
Q
what did the 22nd amendment establish?
A
term limit 2 terms
15
Q
what is the specific term for a president addressing the nation via social media?
A
bully pulipit
16
Q
what group appointed by the president is the head of all the executive agencies?
A
cabinet
17
Q
Hamilton argues that the executive should consist of this quality to ensure the branch runs smoothly?
A
speed/energy
18
Q
What type of court has original jurisdiction and has the right to hear cases for the first time?
A
u.s. district courts
19
Q
What court has both original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?
A
supreme court
20
Q
Who are the leaders of the 15 executive departments?
A
cabinet secretaries
21
Q
What are regulatory groups who operate somewhat independently of the authority of the president, but still fall under executive authority?
A
commisions
22
Q
Bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups who work together form what is called the?
A
iron triangle
23
Q
What bureaucratic department makes sure schools meet federal educational standards?
A
department of education
24
Q
What is created when the federal budget has been exceeded and a gap between the projected budget and actual funds increases?
A
deficit
25
what is the name for people who have been entrusted with the people's faith to vote according to the representatives best judgement?
trustee
26
what is the name of the person who must vote with the will of the people even if it goes against their personal beliefs?
delegate
27
What bureaucratic department administers and enforces campaigns?
federal election commision
28
how long do supreme judges work for?
life
29
What is the period of time when a new president has been elected but hasn't entered office yet so the president in office currently is in their last period of office?
lame duck
30
this act was passed due to the presidents refusal to spend appropriate funds.
budget and impoundment control act
31
If no candidate receives 270 electrolal votes then who decides who's president?
the house of reps
32
ineffectiveness in the government caused by stroking partisanship?
grid lock
33
how can the president check regulatory commissions?
appointing commission heads
34
you vote for mine I vote for yours; trading
votes to gain support on a bill
logrolling
35
What is a last minute rider added on that only benefits that legislators district?
pork barrel spending
36
examples of mandatory spending
payments required by law, medicare, medicaid, entitlement spending and interest on debt
37
examples of discreditory spending
defense, paying federal employee
38
they vote with the will of the people even if it goes against their better judgement
delegate
39
they vote based on the situation
politico
40
stuff the president wants to get done while in office
policy agenda
41
persuasion and bargaining are
informal powers
42
presidents can use these to temporarily take action in the U.S.
executive orders
43
informs the nation how the executive branch interoperates a law
signing statement
44
gas pedal of congress (more representative)
house representatives
45
brake of congress (more experienced)
senate
46
congress has the power to control federal spending
power of the purse
47
congress power to control anything to do with domestic or foreign trade known as?
regulating commerce
48
congress can approve treaties like the Paris treaty.
foreign and military affairs
49
allows congress to pass law that weren't specifically stated in the constitution and is an example of an IMPLIED power
elastic clause aka necessary and proper
50
what is the commander in chiefs role?
command all branches of the military+orders military actions including war related stuff
51
what is chief legislatures role
last say in the legislative process
52
17th Amendment
1913 direct election of senators
53
Caucuses
factions with the parties and demographics of congress
54
Things the House does
proposes revenue bills, starts an impeachment trial on a president, chooses a pres. when there is a tie
55
Things the Senate does(3)
"Advice and Consent" presidential appointments (suggesting or rejecting), approve foreign treaties, convict presidents (impeach)
56
Rules of House
follows "Roberts Rules of Order", members can only speak for an hour, can only offer germane amendments, only the presiding officer can be address and formal language is used
57
Germane amendments
amendments directly related to the bill
58
non germane amendments
amendments placed on a bill that have no relation to the bill itself but benefit their agendas
59
Rules of the Senate
Anyone who stands to speak must be recognized, speech must be directed at the presiding officer with no time limit, can propose non-germane amendments, have more tools to stall or speed up a bill
60
Filibuster
speak on a bill until the deadline (talk a bill to death)
61
Cloture Rule (Rule 22)
A 3/5 super majority can stop debate on a bill (end a filibuster)
62
Speaker of the house
leader of the majority party, organizes meetings, committees and debate speakers
63
Why is the VP a cross of branches?
They are in both the legislative branch and executive branch
64
Senate Majority Leader
Chief legislator; more power than VP; sets the calendar, determines which bills will be debated on
65
Rules Committee
Determines which issues or bills the House will vote on and how
66
Committee of the Whole
An informal discussion on a bill BEFORE the formal vote
67
A Chairs person of a Standing Committee
The senior member of the majority party
68
What is a Standing committee
a permanent committee focused on a particular policy area
69
The Ranking Member of a Standing Committee
Senior member from the minority party
70
Joint Committees
Unite members from the House and Senate for routine management and research
71
Select Committees
Temporary committees to perform a particular study or investigation
72
Conference Committee
Temporary committees to iron out differences on a bill passed by both houses
73
About how long does it take to get a bill authored and introduced to congress?
around 2 years
74
Why is an Omnibus Bill also referred to as a "Christmas Tree Bill"?
because there were so many riders added to the bill that it looks completely different from the original
75
What is a sponser?
An author of a bill
76
What 3 stages must a bill go through?
1. Research and testimony
2. Markup (Amendments)
3. Report out (gets debated and voted on)
77
What kind of majority passes a bill?
Simple majority
78
Pigeonhole
A committee chair can decide NOT to move a bill forward for debate
79
What is the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?
The presidents budgeting "arm", headed by a director (like an accountant)
80
Partisan
a lack of political cooperation between opposing parties
81
Redistricting
Re-drawing congressional lines based on shifts in population (drawn by state legislatures)
82
Swing Districts
districts where neither political party has a guaranteed win
83
Gerrymandering
illogical district lines drawn to give one party an advantage
84
What does gerrymandering mean in terms of candidates?
They have "safe seats" so it is far more likely to have more extreme candidates
85
Divided Government
When the president is of a different political party than Congress
86
Formal Powers of Executive
Those outlined in Article II
Ex. Appoints ambassadors and judges, may convene or adjourn congress, sign or veto bills, may recommend laws
87
Informal Powers of Executive
Powers INTERPRETED to be inherent in the office to achieve policy goals
Ex. Threaten veto, bargain & persuade lawmakers
88
Executive Order
A directive that allows the president to carry out executive authority with congressional approval
Ex. internment camps
89
Limits on Executive Orders
Can be challenged in court, cannot address congressional powers and can be undone by the next president
90
Signing Statements
Presidents offering their interpretation or commentary of a congressional bill before they actually sign it
91
Executive privilege
the presidents right to withhold information from another branch
92
Presidents Immediate Staff
Personal advisors and employees of the president who do not need Senate approval
93
Chief of Staff
head of staff; manages daily operations of the House
94
Senate Standoffs
The Senate will contest controversial appointments
95
War Powers Act
Limited the presidents military power; Congress can vote to approve/disapprove presidential military action within 60 days
96
State of the Union
Reporting on the economic, military, and social state of the Union. Since Woodrow Wilson, it has become an annual address to the nation
97
Appellate Jurisdiction
Hearing cases from lower courts
98
How can a person be convicted of treason?
2 eyewitness testimony
99
Judicial Review
The power of the judicial branch to examine the constitutionally of legislative acts
100
Right to a jury Trial
A jury trial is a citizens natural check on government accusations
101
Certiorari
"to make more certain"
102
Stare Decisis
"let the decision stand"
103
Precedent
A firmly established legal position
104
Binding Precedent
District courts ruling the same as a similarly decided case from an upper court
105
Persuasive Precedent
considering past decisions by distant district courts as a guiding principle
106
Judicial minimlism
"Judges and Justices are servants of the law, not the other way around" The supreme court takes less cases to have longer discussions
107
Strict Constructionist
Interprets the constitution in its original context
108
Liberal Constructionist
Interprets the constitution as a living document that adapts to changing times
109
Warren Court
very liberal Constructionist
110
Burger Court
Liberal Constructionist
111
Rehnquist Court
Strict Constructionist
112
11th Amend
was passed to prevent federal courts from hearing lawsuits against states
113
16th Amend
allows congress to impose a national income tax
114
Petition of Certiorari
A brief arguing of why/how a lower court erred.4/9 (rule of four) and the case will be heard
115
Amicus Curiaebreif
"Friend of Court"; submitted by an outside interested party to sway the courts decision
116
Majority Opinion
The written summary of a case the courts decision & rationale
117
Concurring opinion
A written statement of agreement but with a discrepancy
118
Dissenting Opinion
A justice explaining why they disagree with the majority opinion
119
Senatorial Courtesy
Appointing a lower judge based on that states senators
120
Getting "Borked"
To prevent confirmation by attacking a nominees past beliefs
121
"Nuclear Option"
they can filibuster an appointment
122
Bureaucracy
the vast, hierarchical network of executive branch employees that carry out the business of the federal government
123
Commissions
An independent body of 5-7 members
Ex. Federal Reserve
124
Writing and Enforcing Regulations
Congress creates the departments and agencies and gives them the authority to carry out goals and administer regulations
125
Enforcement and fines
Fines and other punishments can be enforced to companies that are not in compliance with regulations (compliance monitoring)
126
Testifying before Congress
Cabinet Secretaries and agency directors act as experts who offer their knowledge to Congress
127
Iron Triangles & Issue Networks
The bureaucracy is critical to advancing the goals of special interest groups
128
patronage
rewarding party loyalists with jobs
129
Spoils system
appointing government jobs through patronage and expecting loyalty and support in return
130
Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)
An attempt to make federal appointments MERIT- based not patronage based
131
Civil Service Commission
A Bi-partisan group who ensure a candidate QUALIFIES for a job and aren't required to make campaign contributions
132
Civil Service Reform Act
Created fair standards for dismissed MERIT- and diversity and presidential control
133
Office of Personal Management
Replaced the civil service commission; stronger MERIT- based requirements
134
National Performance Review
1993 overhaul under Clinton to make the bureaucracy more efficient
135
Administrative Procedures Act
Guidelines for agencies to make rules/Procedures that are transparent and fair
136
Congressional Regulation
Members of congress are elected; they must oversee the authority of agencies to prevent abuse
137
Implementing the Law
Discretionary Authority allows agency experts to determine laws and best actions
138
Code of Federal Regulations
all laws and regulations made by agencies are recorded in the federal register
139
Office of Information and regulatory affairs
The president can review bureaucratic regulations to see if they comply with the presidents agenda
140
Compliance Monitoring
ensuring that industries within their realm are complying with regulations
141
Committee Clearance
Congress reserves the authority to review and approve agency actions
142
Whistleblower Protection Act
prohibits a federal agency from retaliating against a "whistleblower"
143
Who takes the most cases regarding agencies?
U.S. circuit court of appeals
144
Shaw v. Reno
Upheld that gerrymandering cannot be SOLELY on race
5-4 decision
14th and 15th amendments
145
Baker v. Carr
Districts need to be drawn in proportion to population (one man on vote)
6-2 in favor of Baker
Article III Section 2 (the judicial power shall extend to all cases under the constitution)
14tth Amendment
146
Would a military operation be unconstitutional because only the legislative branch (congress) can declare war?
War Powers Resolution:
This law was passed to further clarify the process, requiring the President to notify Congress before committing troops to military action and seeking their approval within a set timeframe.
Limited military actions:
Some legal scholars argue that the President may use military force without a formal declaration of war in certain situations, such as responding to immediate threats or conducting limited military operations.
Congressional authorization:
Congress can still authorize the use of military force through resolutions, even if they do not formally declare war.
147
linkage institution
A linkage institution is a structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority. These institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.
Ex. NRA, AARP, NAACP
