congress
What is the main function of Congress?
Make Laws
What is the first step for a bill to become a law?
It's introduced in the house or Senate
What is the advantage of incumbency?
name recognition, funding and experience
What is mandatory spending?
spending required by law, like social security
what are the first two steps in the policy-making process
issue identification, policy formulation
What is the name of the leader of the House Of Representatives?
Speaker of the house
What happens in a conference committee
members resolve difference between house and Senate versions of a bill
What is gerrymandering?
drawing districts to favor one party
What is discretionary spending?
spending Congress decides yearly, like defense or education
what is the "iron triangle"?
Relationship between Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups
What is the difference between standing and select committees?
Standing is a permanent committe with specific responsibilities, select is created for a specific purpose
What does a rules committee do in the house?
sets terms for debate/amendments
What is the term for helping constituents with problems?
casework
What is the role of the office of managment and budget.
helps the president draft the budget
what is an example of key legislation affecting the budget or policy?
The affordable care act, or budget control act
What are the 3 types of Congressional committed?
standing, joint, conference
What is a filibuster, and how can it be stopped?
taking a bill to death by nonstop talking, cloture vote
How does the franking privilege benefit incumbents?
allows them to send mail to constituents for free
What happens during a government shutdown?
non essential services stop, employees are dismissed
what is divided government and how can it affect policy-making?
different parties control presidency and Congress, it can lead to gridlock
Name 2 formal powers exclusive to the Senate?
What is the "mark-up" process and committees?
editing/revising a bill before it goes to the floor
What is the difference between cracking and packing in gerrymandering?
cracking is spreading voters thin, packing is putting many in one district
what is the final step in the budget process?
how can Congress check the executive branch during policy-making?
override vetoes, investigate, cut funding, hold hearings