Unit Four: Institutions: Presidency and Congress

Question 1

1. Congressman proposes a bill which starts in one of the houses
2. Speaker (in House) or majority leader (in Senate) gives bill to a committee which gives it to a subcomittee
3. After approved by either House or Senate, bill is given to other house–must pass through both houses for it to become a law

Answer 1

How a bill becomes a law

Question 2

• Where bill-law process happens
• holds hearings to oversee the executive
• Incumbents have great chances of winning reelection
• Has power to create executive agencies
• Authorizes and appropriates money for the executive
• Approves the budget

Answer 2

Congress

Question 3

When politicians “trade” votes

Answer 3

Logrolling

Question 4

When politicians add on extra, unrelated programs to bills that will benefit their constituents

Answer 4

Pork Barrel Spending

Question 5

• Regarded as “lower house”
• States are given representatives based on population
• Impeaches members of executive, judicial
• Representatives serve two year terms
• Each rep. represents a certain congressional district
• Has a Rules Committee & leader is called Speaker of the House

Answer 5

House of Representatives

Question 6

determines whether bills have closed rule (no amendments, time limit on debate) or open rule (open to relevant, germane amendments, no time limit)

Answer 6

Rules Committee

Question 7

assigns people to a committee that assigns people to committees, directs floor debate, and gives bills to appropriate committee

Answer 7

Speaker of the House

Question 8

• Considered “upper house”–older & wiser
• Each state has two senators (equal representation)
• Tries impeached members of executive, judicial
• Senators serve six year terms
• has responsibility of confirming presidential appts. & nominees, ratifying treaties, & confirming the budget
• No Rules Committee; debate is unlimited
• B/c debate is unlimited, minority party can filibuster
• To end debate & filibuster, cloture is required
• Can also add riders to bills

Answer 8

Senate

Question 9

When senators try to kill a bill by continuing to talk

Answer 9

Filibuster

Question 10

a vote by 3/5 of the senate to end debate over bill

Answer 10

Cloture

Question 11

irrelevant amendments added to bills

Answer 11

Riders

Question 12

• Where most work is done in bill-law process
• Most bills die here (90%)

Answer 12

Committees

Question 13

Permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities. The members become experts

Answer 13

Standing Committee

Question 14

Formed to tackle specific tasks within standing committee

Answer 14

Subcommittee

Question 15

Temporary groups with limited purposes (investigation)

Answer 15

Select or Special Committee

Question 16

Includes members of both houses to perform housekeeping tasks of studies

Answer 16

Joint Committee

Question 17

Special type of joint committee that reconciles senate and house versions of a bill

Answer 17

Conference Committee

Question 18

1. Natural born citizen
2. At least 35 years old
3. Resident of America for at least 14 years

Answer 18

Requirements to become President

Question 19

1. Head of Army and Navy
2. Head of National Guard

Answer 19

Powers as Commander in Chief (civilian power over military)

Question 20

1. “Faithfully execute” the laws
2. require opinions of heads of agencies
3. grant pardons except in cases of impeachment
4. nominate judges to federal courts and nominate cabinet (confirmed by senate)
5. call for special session of congress

Answer 20

Powers as Chief Executive of Government

Question 21

1. appoint ambassadors
2. make treaties (to be confirmed by senate)
3. send troops anywhere in the world if Congress authorizes it or during national emergency (War Powers Act) The president has 48 hours to justify in writing to congress why troops were sent, and 60 days before he must withdraw troops (unless congress extends time)

Answer 21

Powers in Foreign Affairs

Question 22

1. Give State of the Union address to Congress to push his agenda
2. recommend and suggest bills for congress
3. call special sessions of congress
4. veto bill (can be overturned by 2/3 of congress)
5. pocket veto – not signing a bill within 10 days and having Congress adjourn

Answer 22

Legislative Powers of President

Question 23

president picks (senate confirms) the heads of the 15 most important agencies, these agencies help execute the law

Answer 23

Cabinet

Question 24

writes budget (must be confirmed by the senate)

Answer 24

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Question 25

part of executive office, help advise the president on economic issues

Answer 25

Council of economic advisers

Question 26

1. Executive orders
2. Executive privileges
3. Agenda Setting
4. Impoundment

Answer 26

Informal Powers of President

Question 27

orders written by president or agency that have the weight of law. There are several ways to undo these orders: president can rescind it, next president can rescind it, the supreme court can rule it unconstitutional

Answer 27

Executive orders

Question 28

right of president to keep certain documents private if pertaining to national security (in USA vs. Nixon the supreme court ruled that this power is NOT unlimited)

Answer 28

Executive privileges

Question 29

president sets out the legislation he wants passed (he uses his bully pulpit)

Answer 29

Agenda Setting

Question 30

ability to refuse to spend money appropriated by congress (this was ruled unconstitutional)

Answer 30

Impoundment