Legislative Roles
Define "delegates" in the context of legislative roles.
Delegates act based on the wishes and instructions of their constituents/ voters
What are "expressed powers," and where can they be found in the Constitution?
Expressed powers are powers explicitly stated in the Constitution, particularly in Article I, Section 8.
What does it mean to "impeach" a government official?
To impeach means to formally charge a government official with misconduct while in office.
Who is the "Speaker of the House," and what is one of their primary functions?
The Speaker of the House presides over House sessions and plays a key role in setting the legislative agenda.
What is the "Necessary and Proper Clause," and how does it expand Congressional powers?
The Necessary and Proper Clause allows Congress to pass laws needed to execute its enumerated powers, providing flexibility in legislation.
What is the role of "trustees" in Congress?
Trustees make decisions based on their own judgment and expertise, considering what they believe is in the best interest of the people.
Define "implied powers" and provide an example of how Congress has used these powers.
Implied powers are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.
An example is the establishment of the national bank to carry out the expressed power of regulating commerce.
Define "acquit" in the context of an impeachment trial.
To acquit means to formally declare that an impeached official is not guilty of the charges brought against them.
What is the role of the "President of the Senate," and in what scenario do they have significant influence?
The President of the Senate, typically the Vice President, casts a tie-breaking vote in the Senate when necessary.
What is the significance of the "Supremacy Clause" in resolving conflicts between state and federal laws?
The Supremacy Clause ensures that federal laws and the Constitution take precedence over state laws in cases of conflict, maintaining national unity.
How do "partisans" prioritize their decision-making in legislative decisions?
Partisans prioritize their loyalty to their political party, often aligning their decisions with party policies and platforms.
What are "inherent powers," and how do they differ from expressed and implied powers?
Inherent powers are those that the government holds because it is a sovereign state. They differ from expressed and implied powers in that they are not explicitly listed in the Constitution.
An example is the power to control borders.
What is "perjury," and why is it particularly serious when committed by a government official?
Perjury is the act of lying under oath during legal proceedings. It is a serious offense, especially for government officials, as it undermines the integrity of the legal and political system.
Who is the "President pro Tempore," and why is this position significant in the Senate hierarchy?
The President pro Tempore presides over the Senate in the Vice President's absence and is usually the longest-serving member of the majority party.
What is the "Full Faith and Credit Clause," and how does it facilitate cooperation between states?
The Full Faith and Credit Clause requires states to respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states, facilitating legal consistency.
Explain how "politicos" balance their roles and what makes their role complex.
Politicos attempt to balance being delegates, trustees, and partisans, weighing their constituents' desires, their own judgment, and party loyalty depending on the situation.
Explain the significance of the "commerce power" and how it has been interpreted by the courts to expand Congressional authority.
The commerce power allows Congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade. Court interpretations, such as in Gibbons v. Ogden, have expanded this power to allow federal regulation of various economic activities.
What is a "subpoena," and how does Congress use this power in its oversight function?
A legal order requiring a person to appear in court or produce evidence.
Congress uses subpoenas during investigations to gather information and hold individuals or entities accountable.
What are the key responsibilities of the "majority leader" in setting the legislative agenda in Congress?
The majority leader schedules legislation for debate, coordinates party strategy, and works to advance the party's legislative priorities.
How does the "Privileges and Immunities Clause" protect the rights of U.S. citizens when they travel to different states?
The Privileges and Immunities Clause prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states, ensuring equal treatment and access to fundamental rights across state lines.
How might the role of a legislator as a delegate conflict with their role as a trustee or partisan, and what are the implications of this conflict?
The conflict arises when legislators must choose between their constituents' direct wishes and their personal judgment or party loyalty.
This can lead to tensions and accusations of not properly representing the electorate or compromising national interests.
Discuss the constitutional and legal limitations on the exercise of eminent domain by Congress, providing a historical example.
Congress must exercise eminent domain with limitations, such as ensuring the property is taken for public use, providing fair compensation, and following due process.
A historical example is the use of eminent domain for infrastructure projects, like the construction of the interstate highway system.
Describe the entire legislative process a bill must go through to become a law, include the House of Representatives/ Senate, the President, and potential veto override in your answer.
A bill goes through several stages, including introduction, committee review, floor debate, and voting in both the House and Senate.
If passed, it goes to the President for approval or veto. If vetoed, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses
How does the role of the "Speaker of the House" differ from that of the "Senate Majority Leader," and how do these roles influence the legislative process in their respective chambers?
The Speaker of the House has more direct control over the House's legislative process. Second in the presidential line of succession.
The Senate Majority Leader controls the Senate's legislative calendar and must often rely on negotiation and consensus due to the Senate's rules, such as the filibuster. While the Speaker can act more unilaterally, the Senate Majority Leader often needs to build bipartisan support to advance legislation.
Discuss the process of reapportionment of congressional seats and how gerrymandering can impact this process, citing the potential political consequences.
Reapportionment adjusts the number of House seats for each state based on population changes, the census tract is taken every 10 years. Gerrymandering can manipulate district boundaries to favor a political party, leading to unequal representation and potential legal challenges regarding voter rights and fairness.