AP Gov > Congress Test > Flashcards

Congress Test Flashcards

(70 cards)

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1
Q

What is a closed rule in the context of the House?

A

A rule issued by the Rules Committee that does not allow a bill to be amended on the House floor

This restricts debate and amendments to the bill.

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2
Q

What is a discharge petition?

A

A means by which the House can remove a bill stalled in committee for an automatic vote

This allows members to bypass committee inaction.

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3
Q

Define markup.

A

Committee revisions of a bill

This process involves editing and amending the bill before it is presented to the full House or Senate.

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4
Q

What does seniority refer to in Congress?

A

The system under which committee chairs are awarded to members who have the longest continuous service on the committee

This often influences legislative power and leadership roles.

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5
Q

What is cloture?

A

A Senate rule offering a means for stopping a filibuster (need 60 votes)

This is a procedure to end debate and proceed to a vote.

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6
Q

What is a filibuster?

A

A means by which senators can extend debate on a bill in order to prevent or delay its consideration

This tactic is often used to block legislation.

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7
Q

Define caucus.

A

An association of members of Congress created to advocate a political ideology or a regional or economic interest

Caucuses can influence policy and party positions.

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8
Q

What is a sophomore surge?

A

The difference between the number of votes candidates get when they are first elected and the number of votes they get when they run for reelection

This often reflects increased recognition and support.

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9
Q

What does malapportionment refer to?

A

Congressional districts having unequal populations

This can lead to unequal representation in Congress.

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10
Q

What is gerrymandering?

A

Drawing a district boundary in an unusual shape to make it easier for a particular party’s candidate to win election

This practice can manipulate electoral outcomes.

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11
Q

Who is a party whip?

A

An individual who assists the party leader in staying abreast of the concerns and voting intentions of the party members

Whips play a crucial role in party discipline.

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12
Q

What is the role of the Rules Committee?

A

The group that decides what business comes up for a vote and what limitations on debate should be

This committee plays a key role in managing legislative procedures.

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13
Q

What is the Ways and Means Committee responsible for?

A

Approving bills that raise revenue for running the government as well as disbursing entitlement funds such as Social Security; largest House committee

This committee has significant influence over fiscal policy.

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14
Q

What does the Appropriations Committee do?

A

Committee that grants money to be spent for a specific government action

This committee is essential for funding government operations.

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15
Q

What is the Committee of the Whole?

A

Parliamentary device to hasten floor action on bills in the House, by allowing the House to conduct business with only 100 members present for a quorum

This allows for more efficient legislative processes.

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16
Q

Define bicameral legislature.

A

A lawmaking body composed of two chambers or parts

The U.S. Congress is an example of a bicameral legislature.

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17
Q

What is a marginal district?

A

Districts in which the winner got less than 55% of the vote

These districts are often competitive and can change party control.

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18
Q

What is a safe district?

A

Districts in which the winner got more than 55% of the vote

These districts are typically less competitive.

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19
Q

Who is the majority leader?

A

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate

This leader plays a key role in setting the legislative agenda.

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20
Q

Who is the minority leader?

A

The legislative leader elected by party members holding a minority of seats in the House or Senate

This leader represents the interests of the minority party.

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21
Q

What is a select committee?

A

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time period and purpose (ex: Benghazi)

These committees investigate specific issues.

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22
Q

What is a conference committee?

A

A special type of joint committee appointed to resolve differences in the House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation

This committee ensures consistency in legislation.

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23
Q

What is a joint committee?

A

A committee on which both representatives and senators serve

Joint committees facilitate cooperation between the two chambers.

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24
Q

What is a standing committee?

A

The permanent committees of each house with the power to report bills

These committees handle ongoing legislative issues.

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25
What is the **franking privilege**?
The ability of members of Congress to mail letters to their constituents free of charge ## Footnote This privilege helps members communicate with voters.
26
What is an **open rule**?
An order from the Rules Committee in the House that permits a bill to be amended on the legislative floor ## Footnote This allows for more extensive debate and changes to the bill.
27
Define **pork barrel** legislation.
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in the hope of winning their votes ## Footnote This often involves funding for local projects.
28
What is **logrolling**?
When a member seeking votes for a bill will promise to support another member's future legislation in return for a vote now ## Footnote This practice is common in legislative negotiations.
29
What power does the **Senate** have regarding impeachment?
The house that has the power to try cases of impeachment ## Footnote This is a critical function of the Senate in the impeachment process.
30
What is the **Census**?
The counting, every ten years, of the population of the US ## Footnote This data is used for apportioning congressional seats.
31
What does **Impeachment** entail?
A formal accusation against a public official done by the House ## Footnote This is the first step in the impeachment process.
32
What is **Reapportionment**?
Reallocation of seats in the House of Representatives after the census ## Footnote This process adjusts representation based on population changes.
33
What is the **Necessary and Proper Clause**?
The part of the Constitution that says Congress can make laws to enforce its powers listed in the Constitution ## Footnote This clause allows for implied powers.
34
What is the **House of Representatives** known for?
The house that has the power of impeachment ## Footnote This chamber initiates impeachment proceedings.
35
What does **Advise and consent** mean?
The authority the Senate has to approve presidential nominees to be ambassadors, cabinet officials, or judges ## Footnote This is a key check on executive power.
36
How many senators are there in the **Senate**?
100 ## Footnote This number is fixed by the Constitution.
37
What is the total number of members in **Congress**?
535 ## Footnote This includes both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
38
What are **earmarks**?
Funds provided by the Congress for projects or programs getting around the merit-based or competitive allocation process ## Footnote This can limit executive branch control over funds.
39
What is **Rule 22**?
Established that cloture to a filibuster would take 60 votes ## Footnote This rule is crucial for managing debate in the Senate.
40
What is the **Congressional Budget Office** or **CBO**?
Conducts non-partisan economic analysis and research and evaluates proposed bills and amendments, assessing their potential cost ## Footnote This office provides critical budgetary information to Congress.
41
What does the **General Accounting Office** or **GAO** do?
Audits federal agencies and programs for Congress ## Footnote This ensures accountability in government spending.
42
When does the **fiscal year** start?
October 1 ## Footnote This marks the beginning of the federal budget planning period.
43
What is **discretionary spending**?
The amount allocated in the budget can be adjusted on a yearly basis (education, military, environment) ## Footnote This spending is subject to annual appropriations.
44
What is **mandatory spending**?
Obligated to be in the budget every year; cannot be cut beneath a certain set amount (Social Security, Food Stamps) ## Footnote This spending is required by law.
45
What are **entitlement programs**?
Government benefits that must be guaranteed to be paid to a citizen once they are eligible ## Footnote Examples include Social Security and Medicare.
46
What is **Fiscal Policy**?
Taxation and budget policies and their effect on the economy ## Footnote This policy influences economic growth and stability.
47
What is the **issue attention cycle**?
When determining what goes on the political agenda, this must be considered -- how long Americans will care about it ## Footnote This affects which issues gain political traction.
48
What is **agenda setting**?
The most important decision impacting policy making is this ## Footnote This process determines which issues are prioritized.
49
What is **policy formulation**?
The second step in the policy making process and by far the most difficult (Proposing a bill, assigning to committee, etc.) ## Footnote This stage involves developing specific proposals.
50
What is **policy adoption**?
The third step in policy making: passing a bill into law ## Footnote This is a critical phase where proposed policies are enacted.
51
What is **policy implementation**?
The fourth step of policy making in which the bureaucracy is tasked with implementing policy with rules and regulations ## Footnote This stage involves putting laws into action.
52
What is **policy evaluation**?
The final stage in policy making where legislators debate the cost versus benefits of a policy ## Footnote This determines whether to continue funding a policy.
53
What is **casework**?
Constituent services ## Footnote This involves helping constituents with issues related to government services.
54
What is **Keynesianism**?
A liberal economic theory that maintains that the government's task is to create the right level of demand by spending when demand is low and taking money out of the economy by increasing taxes or cutting spending when demand is too great ## Footnote This theory emphasizes active government intervention.
55
Define **recession**.
A period of time during which the rate of growth of business activity is consistently less than its long-term trend or is negative ## Footnote This indicates economic decline.
56
What is **monetary policy**?
Money and banking policies, and their effect on the economy ## Footnote This policy is managed by the Federal Reserve.
57
What is a **budget deficit**?
A situation in which the government spends more than it takes in ## Footnote This can lead to increased national debt.
58
What is a **fiscal year**?
A 12-month period, October through September, for planning the federal budget ## Footnote This timeframe is used for accounting and financial reporting.
59
What is **inflation**?
A persistent increase in the average price level in the economy ## Footnote This reduces purchasing power.
60
What are **expenditures**?
Federal spending of revenues. Major areas of such spending are social services and the military ## Footnote This reflects government priorities.
61
What is a **progressive tax**?
A tax for which the percentage of income paid in taxes increases as income increases ## Footnote This system aims to reduce income inequality.
62
What is a **budget surplus**?
An excess of tax revenue over government spending ## Footnote This indicates a positive fiscal situation.
63
What is the **North American Free Trade Agreement** (NAFTA)?
Agreement signed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 1992 to form the largest free trade zone in the world ## Footnote This agreement aimed to reduce trade barriers.
64
What is **Social Security**?
Federal program that offers old age insurance, unemployment compensation and disability ## Footnote This program is a key component of the social safety net.
65
What is **Medicare**?
A federal program of low cost health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older ## Footnote This program provides essential health coverage for seniors.
66
What is **Medicaid**?
Federal program that provides low cost medical benefits for low-income persons ## Footnote This program helps vulnerable populations access healthcare.
67
What are **means-tested programs**?
Government programs available only to individuals below a poverty line ## Footnote These programs target assistance to those in need.
68
What are **non-means-tested programs**?
Programs providing assistance regardless of income, Ex. Social Security ## Footnote These programs are available to all eligible individuals.
69
What is **mandatory spending**?
Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress ## Footnote This includes programs like Social Security and Medicare.
70
What is **discretionary spending**?
Federal spending that Congress and the president get to decide on ## Footnote This spending can be adjusted annually based on budget priorities.
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