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Unit 4 Flashcards

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1
Q

Article I, Section 8

A

The section of the Constitution that lists the powers of Congress & the national government (Called Enumerated Powers).

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2
Q

U.S. House of Reps

A

435 Member chamber with each state having a different number of seats according to population. Majority controls all votes, all spending and taxing bills must originate there and all bills must also be passed by the Senate.

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3
Q

Reapportionment

A

The process of redrawing congressional district lines after the census determines how many districts each state gets.

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4
Q

Gerrymandering

A

The drawing of House district lines to give an advantage to one political party over another. This is usually done by compressing or diluting the opposition’s votes in various districts.

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5
Q

U.S. Senate

A

Consists of 100 members (2 from each state), members serve 6 year terms with 1/3 of the senate up for reelection every 2 years, complex rules, approves treaties & presidential appointments, Bills passed by the house must also be passed by the senate.

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6
Q

Advise and Consent

A

The power of the Senate to approve of presidential appointments and treaties.

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7
Q

Filibuster

A

The use of unlimited debate by one member of the Senate to “run out the clock” on legislation, which kills the bill.

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8
Q

Cloture

A

A vote of 60+ Senators to force someone to stop filibustering a bill.
•

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9
Q

Speaker of the House

A

Oversees the entire House and has a lot of influence over committee appointments and the fate of legislation. Elected by a simple majority of the House.

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10
Q

House Majority/Minority Leaders

A

House political party leader who maintains party loyalty by members of congress. Elected by majority of party members in both House & Senate.

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11
Q

Party Whips

A

Party “henchmen” that do the dirty-work of their political party to make sure that members vote the right way.

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12
Q

President of the Senate

(Vice President)

A

Presides over the Senate but has very little authority to enforce parliamentary matters or anything else. Can only vote to break a tie.

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13
Q

Senate Majority Leader

A

Has the real power in the Senate, makes committee appointments and decides when or how legislation will get heard.

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14
Q

President Pro-Tempore

A

Most senior member of the Senate, mostly an honorary position but is behind the Speaker of the House in the Presidential progression.

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15
Q

Standing Committee

A

Permanent committee in Congress that specializes in certain topic areas. Almost all bills must pass out of a committee before they can be voted on by the entire house.

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16
Q

Conference Committee

A

Temporary Committee composed of members of both the House and Senate to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

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17
Q

Sub-Committee

A

Committee that is more specialized than a standing committee

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18
Q

Rules Committee

A

House Only

Powerful committee that establishes when and under what terms a bill can be debated.

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19
Q

Appropriations Committee

A

House and Senate

very powerful standing committee in Congress that oversees all government spending

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20
Q

Ways & Means Committee

A

House only

A very powerful standing committee in Congress that oversees all federal government taxes and revenue.

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21
Q

Pork Barrel Legislation

A

Often unnecessary or impractical projects or tax loopholes obtained by a member of Congress. Very often, these projects are unnecessary. The projects or tax loopholes can then be exchanged for votes or campaign donations.

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22
Q

Law Making Process

A
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23
Q

Logrolling

A

An arrangement between lawmakers to support each other’s legislation or pork barrel funding requests. Often, members will get their bills passed or projects funded by exchanging promises to vote for each other’s bills.

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24
Q

Article II

A

establishes the powers and responsibilities of the President & Bureaucracy (called the executive branch). The main function of the executive is to implement and enforce laws passed by Congress.

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25
Pardon Power
The Power of the president to excuse someone from criminal prosecution.
26
Presidential Veto
A way for the president to kill legislation. It takes 2/3 of both chambers to override.
27
Pocket Veto
Where a president refuses to sign a piece of legislation within the last 10 days of the congressional term (term starts January 3rd ends on December 31st every year). By refusing to sign the bill dies at the end of the 10 days.
28
Line Item Veto
a way for an executive to veto certain parts of a piece of legislation without vetoing the whole thing. The President DOES NOT have this power but state governors often do.
29
Inherent Powers
extra-constitutional “super-powers” granted to the president & Congress during times of crisis or emergency.
30
Appointment Power
President’s power to appoint Cabinet members, management level officials, judges & ambassadors, and military leadership in the federal government. Appointments are subject to confirmation (Advise and Consent) by the Senate.
31
Treaty Power
is the ability of the executive branch to negotiate binding treaties between the U.S. and other nations. Treaties are usually negotiated by the Secretary of State and must be confirmed b
32
Department of State
Secretary of State Implements foreign policy & treaties on behalf of the President.
33
Commander & Chief
refers to the nearly absolute control that the president has over the military. •Has the ability to hire and fire military leadership. •Cannot unilaterally declare war, but can certainly start one. •The President has his finger of the “the button” •The only real power that the Congress has over the President’s role of commander in chief is the power to appropriate money and the power to impeach. •It has been abused in the past (Ex: Vietnam)
34
War Powers Resolution
Is a non-binding act that basically stipulates that: – the president must consult with the Congress within 60 days of a military action commencing. – the President must inform Congress of non-emergency military actions.
35
Impeachment
Is part of the procedure by which an official is removed from office for unethical or criminal offenses.
36
Executive Branch
consists of the President and just about everyone else who is employed by the U.S. Government (except Congressional staffers, Federal Judges and legal clerks).
37
Take Care Clause
Constitutional provision that establishes the power of the executive branch to carryout, implement, and enforce laws passed by Congress.
38
Bureaucracy
An collection of government employees who are tasked to implement, enforce or distribute government policy and programs.
39
Rulemaking
is the expansion and further defining of Congressionally made laws to make them applicable to various or changing situations. Rulemaking authority is granted by Congress when a law is passed
40
Patronage
rewarding political supporters and contributors with choice jobs, leadership positions, or earmarks
41
Civil Service Act
system that grants lower & mid level federal jobs based on test scores and qualifications, not patronage.
42
Attorney General
Oversees the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal law enforcement. Also serves as the President’s legal advisor and the Governments attorney.
43
Dept. of Treasury
Economic & Monetary Issues.
44
Dept. of Defence
Runs the Military
45
Electoral College
system for electing the president & vice president. Each state’s electoral college votes are given to the candidate who gets the most votes that that state (except in Nebraska & Maine). In order to win, a candidate must win a majority (270 out of 538) of the total electoral votes in the entire U.S.
46
Swing State
A state who has a nearly even amount of Democrats and Republicans, which makes it a electorally and politically unpredictable. Nebraska & Maine
47
Council-Manager System
City government where a non-elected, professional city-manager makes most decisions and oversees departments. The only role of the council is to hire the manager & pass a budget and city ordinances.
48
Texas Justince of the Peace
the Petit Courts duties (Civil Suits less than $10,000 & Misdemeanors) in TX are handled by Justice’s of the Peace or Municipal Judges.
49
Texas County Judge
are not judicial officials, rather they are the head administrators for each county (like a mayor of the county).
50
Texas Supreme Court
Texas actually has two State Supreme Courts: The 9 Member TX Court of Criminal Appeals & The 9 Member TX Supreme Court (Hears Civil Suites Only).
51
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
If someone is appealing a criminal case, they go to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. If they are appealing a civil matter or a juvenile criminal case they go to the Texas Supreme Court. All Appeals in Texas must first go through their local court of appeals first.
52
Interest Groups
Organizations based on shared issues that attempt to influence society and policy makers to support their agenda.
53
Business/Commercial Interest Groups
Interest group that represents groups of for profit business’ or workers. The aim is to find policies that will maximize profits.
54
Public Interest Groups
Not for Profit Groups who seek policies favorable to their interests or causes.
55
Lobbyist
a “hired gun” who tries to “educate” policy makers and persuade them to adopt favorable policies or deny policies that might be detrimental. Their greatest tool of influence is campaign contributions
56
Direct/Rifle Approach
Targeting powerful policy makers with a lot of influence.
57
Indirect/Shotgun Approach
Send army’s of concerned citizens to canvas the entire legislature or congress.
58
Campaign Contributions
Usually, the only real leverage that a lobbyist has is the ability to control vast sums money to finance a candidates reelection efforts. Money given to a political candidate to help them win reelection. The federal government limits individuals to $5200 per candidate and $10,000 for a PAC. Corporations cannot give money directly to candidates and must do so by joining an interest group and starting a PAC.
59
Soft Money
This is money given above and beyond campaign contribution limits that is given to political parties and advocacy groups with the purpose of indirectly campaigning for a candidate.
60
Political Action Committee (PAC)
is a completely separate, related organization created by an interest group with the sole purpose of contributing to political campaigns.
61
The Executive Function
is to oversee the implementation and enforcement of Congressionally made laws.
62
Tax loophole
Tax exemption for a specific industry group or company.
63

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