Constitutional Foundations
This term describes a two-house legislative body, as established in Article I of the U.S. Constitution
What is bicameral
The constitutional leader of the House of Representatives who sets the legislative calendar and appoints committee assignments.
Who is the Speaker of The House?
Permanent legislative panels organized by policy area that carry over from one Congress to the next
What are standing committees?
Powers explicitly listed in Article I of the Constitution, such as taxing, borrowing money, and declaring war
What are expressed (or enumerated) powers?
The 16th Amendment gave Congress the explicit power to levy and collect this type of tax
What is the a federal income tax?
A lawmaker who relies on their own personal morals, ethics, and independent judgment to decide what is best for the public good is using which voting style?
Trustee style of voting
Conducted every 10 years, this national process measures population changes to determine how the 435 House seats are redistributed among the states
What is the census?
These party officials act as "enforcers," counting votes prior to formal action and keeping party members in line.
Who are the majority and minority whips?
A Senate procedure used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by extending floor debate indefinitely.
What is a filibuster?
Article I clause that provides Congress with implied powers necessary to execute its expressed responsibilities
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (or Elastic Clause)?
Prior to the 17th Amendment (1913), U.S. Senators were chosen by state legislatures rather than by this group.
What is the people?
What role do lobbyists play in influencing the legislative process?
They provide research, technical expertise, and drafted bill language to legislators
Current officeholders running for re-election win roughly 90% of the time thanks to this structural advantage.
What is incumbency advantage? (Name recognition, funding, donor networks, etc)
The constitutional officer designated as President of the Senate, who casts votes only to break a tie.
Who is the Vice President?
This type of presidential veto occurs indirectly if the President takes no action on a bill passed within 10 days of Congress adjourning?
What is a pocket veto?
According to Article I, all bills for raising revenue must originate in this specific house.
What is the House of Representatives?
The 20th Amendment shortened this period by moving the start date of new congressional terms to January 3.
What is the lame duck period?
A lawmaker who votes strictly according to the expressed preferences of their home district's voters is practicing which style of representation?
Delegate style
While U.S. Representatives serve 2-year terms, U.S. Senators serve for this length of time.
What are 6 year terms (no term limit)?
This senior member of the majority party presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.
Who is the President Pro Tempore (Senate Pro Temp) ?
A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill
What is a conference committee?
The fraction of votes required in both the House and Senate to override a presidential veto.
What is a two thirds majority?
Under the 27th Amendment, any congressional salary increase passed by sitting members cannot take effect until this happens.
What is after the next election of representatives?
What is the primary function of Political Action Committees (PACs) in the political ecosystem? Directing floor debates in the House and Senate
Raising and distributing funds to candidates to influence policy and electoral outcomes
Redrawing congressional district boundaries to favor one political party or group over another is known by this term.
What is gerrymandering?
The real political power center and floor leader in the U.S. Senate who schedules floor debate and directs party strategy
Who is the Senate Majority Leader?
The three-fifths supermajority vote (60 votes) required in the Senate to invoke end-of-debate rules and stop a filibuster.
What is cloture vote?
Congressional power to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and oversee the execution of laws by executive agencies.
What is legislative oversight committees?
This amendment protects state power by reserving all non-delegated powers to the states or the people.
What is the 10th Amendment?
Which article of the constitution established the legislative branch?
Article 1