Congressional Powers and Privileges

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Questions and Answers

What advantage does franking privilege provide to members of Congress?

Increased salary during election years

Ability to vote on legislation without being present

Access to national media for free promotion

Free mailing to constituents to promote their campaigns (correct)

Which of the following is a requirement for being a member of the House of Representatives?

Must be at least 30 years old

Must have previous legislative experience

Must have been a citizen for at least 10 years

Must be a resident of the state they represent (correct)

Which power is exclusively held by the House of Representatives?

Try impeachment cases

Confirm presidential appointments

Initiate revenue bills (correct)

Ratify treaties

How old must a candidate be to run for the Senate?

30 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the powers held by Congress as a whole?

Power to declare war Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about incumbents is true?

They often enjoy advantages like proven track records. Signup and view all the answers

What unique responsibility does the Senate have compared to the House?

Confirming presidential appointments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for Senate candidates?

Must have prior governmental experience Signup and view all the answers

What was Baker's main argument regarding the refusal to redraw voting district lines?

It violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Signup and view all the answers

How did Carr argue against federal intervention in redistricting?

He maintained that residents should handle it themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Supreme Court's ruling regarding Baker's case?

It ruled the district courts had authority to hear the case. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary claim of Shaw regarding District 12 in North Carolina?

It drew lines based solely on racial demographics. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Supreme Court rule in the case of Shaw v. Reno?

They supported Shaw's claim against racial districting. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the defenses offered by Reno in support of the district lines?

Oddly shaped districts help reflect a broader demographic. Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment was central to the arguments in both Baker's and Shaw's cases?

The 14th Amendment. Signup and view all the answers

What issue did Baker believe his voting rights highlighted?

The impact of population changes on vote value. Signup and view all the answers

What was Carr's stance on how Tennessee residents should address the issue of legislative districts?

Focus on discussions with state legislators. Signup and view all the answers

What broader principle did the Supreme Court emphasize in Baker's case ruling?

All voting-related complaints deserve judicial attention. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do incumbents have in elections compared to their opponents?

Experience and name recognition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about franking privilege is true?

It enables free mailing to constituents living in their district. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes safe districts in the House of Representatives?

Incumbents are likely to win by a landslide. Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to stability in the Senate compared to the House of Representatives?

Senators serve longer terms of 6 years. Signup and view all the answers

Why was a bicameral legislature established in the United States?

To appease both small and large states. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a bill after it is introduced in either house?

It is sent to the appropriate standing committee for study. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the House from the Senate during debate on a bill?

The House has stricter time limits on debate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the House Rules Committee?

To decide when and how bills are debated. Signup and view all the answers

What must happen if both chambers pass different versions of the same bill?

A conference committee is formed to reconcile differences. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a standing committee?

A permanent committee that handles ongoing issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of a pocket veto?

The bill dies if Congress is not in session. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the full committee's role in the bill process?

To review and amend the marked-up bill before it is debated. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Senate differ from the House regarding the debate format?

The Senate allows for filibusters and unlimited debate. Signup and view all the answers

What change did the 17th Amendment bring to the selection of senators?

Senators are elected directly by the citizens of their states. Signup and view all the answers

What is a filibuster primarily used for in the Senate?

To delay or prevent a bill from being voted on. Signup and view all the answers

What minimum number of senators is required for a quorum?

51 Signup and view all the answers

How can a filibuster be stopped according to current rules?

By a vote of 60 senators. Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'closed rule' in the House of Representatives mean?

No amendments or changes can be made to the bill. Signup and view all the answers

What principle does 'One Person, One Vote' reinforce?

Each person’s voting power should be roughly equivalent. Signup and view all the answers

Which clause is frequently contested in federal courts regarding congressional power?

The Commerce Clause. Signup and view all the answers

What is a discharge petition used for in the House of Representatives?

To expedite a bill stuck in committee. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of pork barrel spending?

To benefit specific local projects in legislators' districts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 1957 filibuster led by Strom Thurmond?

It was the longest solo filibuster in history for a Civil Rights bill. Signup and view all the answers

How does the legislative process in the Senate differ from that in the House?

The Senate has a more relaxed debate structure. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the rule to allow a filibuster shut down adopted in 1917?

To streamline legislative processes and reduce delays. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of members required for a quorum in the House of Representatives?

218 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of logrolling in Congress?

To cooperate with others to pass preferred bills. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach allows Congress to bypass committee reviews in urgent situations?

Leadership decision Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a trustee in Congress?

To prioritize their own opinions over constituents' preferences. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding gerrymandering is true?

It allows parties to design districts favoring their chances in elections. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between reapportionment and redistricting?

Reapportionment changes the number of representatives per state; redistricting redraws district boundaries. Signup and view all the answers

What does a discharge petition require to succeed in the House?

Any simple majority of House members. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of the delegate model?

Aligning votes closely with constituents' preferences. Signup and view all the answers

In the case of Baker v. Carr, what was the primary concern of Baker?

He believed his vote was disproportionate compared to rural voters. Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a legislative document that combines multiple bills?

Omnibus bill Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of congressional oversight?

To ensure accountability of the executive and judicial branches. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method for pushing a bill through Congress?

Impeachment Signup and view all the answers

What defines partisan gerrymandering?

Manipulating district boundaries to advantage a specific political party. Signup and view all the answers

How does the politico model differ from the delegate and trustee models?

It adapts between the delegate and trustee models based on constituents' interest. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of select committees?

To conduct investigations on specific issues Signup and view all the answers

Which role does the Speaker of the House primarily fulfill?

Leads the House and influences committee assignments Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a conference committee from other types of committees?

It seeks to resolve differences in proposed legislation between the two chambers Signup and view all the answers

Who leads the Senate in the absence of the Vice President?

The President Pro Tempore Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of subcommittees in Congress?

Performing most legislative work on bills Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of whips in Congress?

They ensure party discipline and alignment on votes Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between parliament and congress?

In a parliament, the executive is chosen from within the legislative body Signup and view all the answers

How has the process for electing senators changed over time?

The method changed from state legislatures to popular vote in 1913 Signup and view all the answers

In which chamber does the Committee of the Whole primarily function?

The House of Representatives Signup and view all the answers

What can Joint Committees be formed for?

Long-standing purposes or urgent short-term legislation Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a full committee from the Committee of the Whole?

The Committee of the Whole consists of a fraction of the members Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following committees is focused on specific issues within the U.S. Congress?

Select Committee Signup and view all the answers

What is a key role of the Majority Leader in the Senate?

They direct legislative agendas and manage bill discussions Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT one of the specific types of committees mentioned?

Judiciary Committee Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Franking Privilege

Members of Congress can send free mail to their districts.
This is used to promote campaigns and build voter loyalty.

House and Senate Requirements

House: 25 years old, resident of state, US citizen for 7 years.
Senate: 30 years old, resident of state, US citizen for 9 years.

Powers of Congress

House: Initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, elect President in case of Electoral College tie.
Senate: Confirm presidential appointments, advise and consent on treaties (House approval needed for some treaties and VP appointments), try impeachment cases.
Congress (Overall): Pass federal budget, raise revenue, coin money, declare war, raise and maintain armed forces.

Incumbent Advantages

Name recognition: Voters already know the incumbent.
Proven track record: Voters know what to expect from the incumbent.
Campaign funding: Incumbents are more likely to receive donations.
Franking privilege: Free mailings to constituents.
Safe districts (House): Some House districts favor incumbents.

House vs. Senate Incumbents

Senate: Fewer incumbents due to 6-year terms and broader state representation.
House: More incumbents due to 2-year terms and smaller district representation.

Bicameralism

Two-chamber legislature (House and Senate).
Compromise between large and small states' interests (equal representation in Senate, proportional representation in House).

Bill to Law Process

Introduced in either House, revenue bills originate in House.
Assigned to standing committees, often subcommittees for study and hearings.
Marked up, voted on, approved or rejected by committee.
Full House/Senate debate and voting (House has rules committee, Senate allows filibuster).
Conference committees reconcile differences between House and Senate versions.
Sent to president for signature or veto.
Pocket veto if Congress adjourns before presidential action.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees dealing with specific policy areas.
Examples: Appropriations Committee (Senate), Ways and Means Committee (House).

House Rules Committee

Controls debate and scheduling of bills in the House
Crucial "gatekeeper" role in legislating
Regulates how long bills can be debated

Subcommittees

Smaller, more specialized committees within standing committees.
Example: Agriculture subcommittee under the larger Agriculture and Natural Resources committee or Financial Services subcommittee under the larger Financial Services Committee.

Other Committees

Select Committees: Temporary committees for specific investigations.
Joint Committees: Committees with members from both the House and Senate (e.g., Library of Congress).
Conference Committees: Resolve differences between House and Senate versions of bills.
Full Committee/Committee of the Whole: Smaller fraction of the full chamber (used in the House).

Congressional Leadership

House: Speaker of the House (most powerful), Majority and Minority Leaders, Majority and Minority Whips
Senate: President of the Senate (Vice President), President Pro Tempore, Majority and Minority Leaders, Majority and Minority Whips.

Congressional Work

Majority of work done in subcommittees.

Parliament vs. Congress

Parliament: executive branch leader chosen by legislature.
Congress: distinct executive and legislative branches.

Senate Elections

Originally chosen by state legislatures.
Changed by the 17th Amendment.

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay or block a vote on a bill.
Requires continuous speaking by one (or more) senator(s).

Quorum

Minimum number of members needed for legislative activity in House or Senate.

Cloture

Procedure to end a filibuster in the Senate (requires 60 votes).

Closed Rule

House rule preventing amendments to a bill during debate.

"One Person, One Vote"

Principle from Baker v. Carr (equal voting power for citizens).

House vs. Senate Processes

Senate has more relaxed debate rules due to smaller membership.

Congressional Power (Often Contested)

Commerce Clause interpretation.

Discharge Petition

Forces a bill out of committee in the House (requires majority vote).

Pork Barrel Spending

Government funds for local projects in a legislator's district.

Logrolling

Vote trading among legislators.

Congressional Oversight

Legislative power to check other branches of government.

Non-Conventional Bill Passage Methods

Floor amendment inclusion.
Bill handling by leadership to floor without committee involvement.
Creation of special task forces for emergency bills.
Discharge petitions.
Incorporation into omnibus bills.

Constituent Services

Assistance to constituents with issues related to federal agencies.

Representative Roles

Trustee: Votes based on personal judgment.
Delegate: Votes based on constituents' wishes.
Politico: Combines trustee and delegate approaches.

Gerrymandering, Reapportionment, Redistricting

Gerrymandering: Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage.
Reapportionment: Adjusting the number of representatives per state based on the census.
Redistricting: Redrawing district boundaries after reapportionment.

Baker v. Carr

SCOTUS case establishing the principle of "one person, one vote"
Involved the constitutionality of Tennessee's districting system.

Shaw v. Reno

SCOTUS case that limited racial gerrymandering.
Involved the constitutionality of North Carolina's districting plan.

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Description

This quiz delves into the essential aspects of Congressional powers, responsibilities, and advantages. It covers franking privileges, the requirements to serve in the House and Senate, and the unique powers held by both chambers. Test your knowledge on how these elements influence American politics.