Term
| How the amendments to the Constitution are proposed |
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Definition
| Most amendments are proposed by members of Congress |
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Term
| How Constitutional amendments are ratified |
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Definition
By 2/3 votes of both houses of Congress
then
send to the states
then
if 3/4 of the states (38) ratify the amendment in their legislatures AMENDMENT BECOMES A PART OF THE CONSTITUTION |
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Term
| What American political traditions that are well established but not mentioned in the Constitution |
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Definition
1. Political Parties
2.Political Action Committees (like corporations or labor unions)
3. Private interest groups(lobby Congress and provide funds to candidates who support their ideology)
4. Fourth Estate: the national and local media that have strong influence on public opinion |
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Term
| How powers are shared between the national and state government |
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Definition
The state laws must not contradict the federal laws.
If the do, then the federal law comes first |
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Term
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Definition
A union of several local governments under one central government.
States have sovereign powers that, if not reserved to the federal government, belong to the state or the people (10th Amendment) |
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Term
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Definition
| Representation of the individuals through elected officials |
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Term
| The most extreme power that Congress can apply to the President |
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Definition
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Term
| Power that Congress can apply to the President - Congressional control over finances |
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Definition
| President cannot fund his programs, unless he is granted the money by the Congress |
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Term
| Terms of office for House members |
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Definition
Hold the office for 2-year terms.
Elected by voters in their state
All terms in the House expire simultaneously, and then election occurs
If the vacancy occurs during the term - special election
435 seats in the House
Number of representatives is based on the population of the state |
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Term
| Why the Founding Fathers prescribed a two-house legislature |
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Definition
1.To give Federal Government the power to stop states from behaving outrageously (taxing the import from another states, telling their own states to do whatever the rep wished despite the decisions of the Congress)
2.To give the people and the states as entitles balanced representation
3. House of representatives short 2-y. terms help to reflect the changes in public opinion and priority, and
the Senate members get to know their people better and serve as the chamber of the calm reason |
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Term
| Terms of office for Senate members |
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Definition
Senate has 2 members from each state, regardless of the population
Senator serves a six-year term
There are 100 senators
Elections are staggered: 1/3 of the senators are up for reelection every 2 years |
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Term
| Shifts in population and the distribution of House seats |
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Definition
Apportionment is done by the Congress, using the automatic formula based on census figures collected every 10 years.
Since the Hoover Administration the amount of seats remain at 435 |
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Term
| What are the Standing Committees of Congress |
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Definition
Regular, permanent committees of the House and Senate
Most reps serve on 1-2 committees
Most senators serve on 2-3 comm. |
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Term
| Functions of the Standing Committees of Congress |
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Definition
99% of the time all bills referred to the standing committee best equipped to research and study the particular bill.
Often government agencies, officials and outside experts are used
Committee members often appoint experts in a field of study, to review and report on certain bills |
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Term
| The Necessary and Proper Clause |
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Definition
| Implied powers: Congress can pass laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry into execution the enumerated powers (Congress may exercise the powers to which it is granted by the Constitution) |
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Term
| How a bill becomes a law if it's originated in the House of Reps |
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Definition
1.Anybody can propose a bill including an ordinary citizen
2.A House Rep supports and proposes the bill to House
3.House votes immediately or House Speaker assigns a bill to a House Standing Committee that approves it(if Committee disapproves - the bill is DEAD)
4.If the majority of the House votes in favor of the Bill - it goes to Senate
5.Senate votes immediately, or the bill goes to Senate Standing Committee
6.If the majority of the Senate votes in favor - the bill goes to the President
7.President signs - the bill becomes a law
If Presidents VETOS - bill goes back to the House of Reps. If it passes the House by 2/3 margin, then it goes back to Senate for another vote.
If the bill passes the Senate by 2/3 - it becomes a law over the Presidents veto. |
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Term
| How the lobbyist can increase his or her influence |
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Definition
Effective lobbyist will bring enough congressmen to his side to defend the bill, that is important to his corporation or a group of interest. The lobbyists talk to the congressmen that share their interest in one way, or another
The better the group/corporation that he represents is funded, the more successful the lobbyist will be in his negotiations |
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Term
| How a bill becomes a law if it's originated in the Senate |
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Definition
1.Anybody can propose a bill including an ordinary citizen
2.A Senator supports and proposes the bill to Senate
3.Senate votes immediately or Senate Speaker assigns a bill to a Senate Standing Committee that approves it(if Committee disapproves - the bill is DEAD)
4.If the majority of the Senate votes in favor of the Bill - it goes to House of Reps
5.House of Reps votes immediately, or the bill goes to House of Reps Standing Committee
6.If the majority of the House of Reps votes in favor - the bill goes to the President
7.President signs - the bill becomes a law
If Presidents VETOS - bill goes back to the Senate. If it passes the Senate by 2/3 margin, then it goes back to House of Reps for another vote.
If the bill passes the House of Reps by 2/3 - it becomes a law over the Presidents veto. |
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Term
| What chamber of Congress permits unlimited floor debate |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Professionals that are paid by interest groups or corporations to persuade the members of Congress to vote in favor of, or against measures important to their payers |
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