What is the most important factor of the committee system?
The most important factor of the committee system, allowing members of Congress to focus on one policy areas.
What is specialization?
Informal groups of lawmakers who share common interests or political goals.
What are congressional caucuses?
This feature of Congress requires both the House and Senate to approve the same bill.
What is bicameralism?
The fastest-growing entitlement program in the United States.
What is Medicaid?
Branch of government that has the power to tax and spend money.
What is the legislative branch?
The benefit of the committee system by allowing lawmakers to develop expertise instead of mastering every issue.
What is increased efficiency?
The Founders warned against these groups, which prioritize their own interests over the public good.
What are factions?
The Founders intentionally designed the legislative process to be slow in order to prevent this type of legislation.
What are hasty or ill-considered laws?
Government programs that must provide benefits to anyone who meets eligibility requirements.
What are entitlement programs?
This document gives Congress the authority to regulate commerce, borrow money, and manage the national budget.
What is the Constitution?
The power allowing committees to control which bills move forward and which never reach the full House or Senate.
What is gatekeeping power?
Despite not being mentioned in the Constitution, caucuses influence legislation by doing this collectively.
What is coordinating strategies and influencing votes?
The lawmaking process is slow because it includes committees, debates, amendments, votes, and this final step.
What is presidential approval?
As entitlement spending grows, this category of spending (used for education, infrastructure, and defense) is often reduced.
What is discretionary spending?
The reason Congress controls economic policy is to ensure financial decisions are made by officials who are directly accountable to whom.
Who are the people (voters)?