Definitions pt. 1
Naturalization
Process by which citizens of one country become citizens of another.
What Federal Branch is Congress apart of? What is their main function?
Legislative Branch; Their main function is to create laws.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause? Why is it often called the “Elastic Clause?”
Allows Congress to create any law that is "necessary & proper;" It allows Congress to "stretch" its power to create laws they seem "necessary & proper."
What is the State of the Union? What is its goal?
A message from the President to Congress. In the message, the President talks about important issues facing Americans and offers his ideas on solving the nation's problems, including suggestions for new laws and policies. Reports on how he sees the state of the country, domestically and in foreign affairs.
Continuous Body
A legislative body where not every seat is up for election by the same time
Floor Leaders
Members of the House of Representatives and Senate picked by their parties to be legislative strategists to meet party goals.
Senator - 6 year term
House of Representative - 2 year term
What is a direct tax? What is an indirect tax? Give me an example of both.
Direct tax – tax that must be paid directly to the gov’t by the person
Indirect tax – first paid by one person then passed onto another
What is the seniority rule? What are some criticisms of the seniority rule? What are some arguments for the seniority rule? Give me two for each.
Seniority rule – unwritten custom that those members with the longest records of service in Congress get the important appointments.
Criticism of seniority rule
It ignores ability
Discourages younger members
Arguments for seniority rule
Ensures powerful and experienced member in charge of each committee
Eliminates fighting within a party to decide the positions
Expressed Powers
The powers of the U.S. Federal Government that are explicitly stated in the Constitution.
Constituents
The people a member of Congress represents.
What are lobbyists? Who do they often support?
People who represent interest groups. Lobbyists often support individuals who represent their political party.
What does a strict constructionist believe? What does a liberal constructionist believe?
Strict Constructionists - Congress should ONLY use 1) expressed powers, and 2) implied powers necessary to perform expressed powers. States should keep as much power as possible – better protect people’s interests and rights.
Liberal Constructionists - Congress should interpret the Constitution in a flexible way, taking in the document’s 1) original purpose and 2) the current situation. Believed the country needed an “energetic gov’t.”
Who is the Speaker of the House (title, not actual person)? What House matters does the Speaker preside over?
Speaker of the House - Leader of the House of Representatives.
Has to recognize someone before they may speak
Refers bills to committee
Interprets and applies the rules
Puts motions to a vote
Implied Powers
The powers granted to the U.S. Federal Government that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but are inferred.
President pro tempore
Serves in the Vice President’s absence and is elected by the Senate.
How many Senators are there at a time? How many House of Representatives are their at a time?
Senators - 2 per state (100)
House of Representatives - 1 per every 30,000 people (435)
What happened in the McCulloch v. Maryland case? Why was this case significant to Congress’ powers?
McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819
People opposed creation of second national bank
Supreme Court said it was a necessary and proper exercise of power
Allowed Congress to use the "Necessary & Proper" clause whenever after this
What are the different types of committees we have gone over? Explain each. (3)
Standing committees - permanent committees in the House and Senate to which bills of specific subject matter are sent
Joint committee – committee composed of members from both houses (type of standing committee)
Conference Committee – temporary, joint committee to iron out the differences (compromise)
The powers that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but are necessary for a government or institution to function.
Eminent Domain
An inherent power to take private property for public use.
Who do House of Representative members represent? Who do Senate members represent? Who else should members of Congress represent? Who is the most important group of people members of Congress should adhere to when voting upon a bill? Their state? The American People as a whole (nation)? A certain group of constituents? Themselves? A mix? Something else? Should lobbyists and special groups be able to use money to “buy” votes (raise money for political campaigns, laws, etc)? Be sure to answer all questions and explain your reasoning.
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What are non legislative powers? What are some of the non legislative powers Congress has?
Nonlegislative powers – powers of Congress that have nothing to do with making laws
Constitutional amendments
Electoral duties
Impeachment
Executive powers
Investigatory power
How does a bill become a law? Explain the process beginning with a bill being introduced into the House of Representatives. Follow the process through the House, to the Senate, explaining how it eventually gets to the White House. Once it gets to the White House, what could the President do/not do with it?
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Filibuster
“talk a bill to death;” stalling tactic where minority tries to delay or prevent SENATE action