Government Chapter 5 Test Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does the House Rules Committee do?

Draws district boundaries

Provides checks and balances within Congress

Can stop a house bill from reaching a floor vote (correct)

Investigates issues temporarily

What is the purpose of a select committee?

Temporary committee to investigate an issue

What is a bicameral legislature?

Provides checks and balances within Congress

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing of district boundaries to benefit a party Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a caseworker?

Personal staff handling growing constituent requests Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the president pro tempore?

Fills leadership role if vice president is unavailable Signup and view all the answers

What does a committee chair do?

Decides who will testify about bills Signup and view all the answers

Which branch was given the most power by the Founding Fathers?

Congress Signup and view all the answers

What is a filibuster?

Action to prevent a Senate bill from a final vote Signup and view all the answers

What does the CBO stand for?

Congressional Budget Office Signup and view all the answers

Who is Nancy Pelosi?

Made history when serving as Speaker of the House Signup and view all the answers

What is the seniority system?

Gives the member with the longest uninterrupted service the leadership of that committee Signup and view all the answers

What does a hold do?

Can stop the progress of unanimous consent Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a legislative assistant?

Personal staff that researches and drafts bills for a lawmaker Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the House minority leader?

Parallel to the job of assistant to the speaker Signup and view all the answers

What does censure mean in Congress?

Used to express disapproval of member's behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is one cause of congressional staff increases?

Complex legislation Signup and view all the answers

What is a cloture resolution?

A way that 60 senators can end a filibuster Signup and view all the answers

Who is Elbridge Gerry?

Initiated redistricting plans to give party advantage Signup and view all the answers

What is a joint committee?

Temporary group that researches and reports on a topic or bill Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Congressional Committees and Structures

House Rules Committee: Plays a critical role by potentially halting a bill from reaching a floor vote, influencing the legislative process.
Select Committee: Formed temporarily to investigate specific issues, allowing focused inquiry and oversight.
Bicameral Legislature: Composed of two chambers (House and Senate) which promotes checks and balances within Congress, ensuring diverse representation and careful scrutiny of legislation.

Electoral Processes

Gerrymandering: The practice of redrawing district boundaries to favor a particular political party, impacting electoral outcomes and representation.
CBO (Congressional Budget Office): An independent agency tasked with analyzing the fiscal implications of proposed programs and legislation, ensuring informed budgetary decisions.

Congressional Leadership and Roles

Caseworker: Staff member dedicated to handling constituent inquiries and requests, enhancing representative accountability.
President Pro Tempore: Assumes leadership duties when the Vice President is unavailable, maintaining continuity in Senate functions.
Committee Chair: Leader of a committee responsible for determining witness testimonies and guiding legislative discussions.

Legislative Processes

Filibuster: A tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, often requiring strategic management.
Cloture Resolution: A procedure that allows 60 senators to end a filibuster, facilitating the progress of legislative business.
Hold: A procedural tool that can obstruct unanimous consent, giving senators the power to delay proceedings.

Key Figures and Historical Context

Nancy Pelosi: Notable for breaking barriers as the first female Speaker of the House, representing a significant milestone in U.S. political history.
Elbridge Gerry: Historical figure associated with the practice of redistricting for political advantage, contributing to the term "gerrymandering."

Support Structures in Congress

Legislative Assistant: Essential staff member responsible for conducting research and drafting bills, enhancing legislative efficiency.
Senior System: A system that grants leadership roles on committees to members with the longest tenure, promoting experience in legislative processes.
House Minority Leader: Functions as a counterpart to the Speaker, coordinating strategy and communication for the opposing party in the House.

Other Legislative Aspects

Censure: A formal expression of disapproval regarding a member's conduct, serving as a disciplinary measure within Congress.
Complex Legislation: Increasingly intricate laws contribute to a rise in congressional staff requirements, reflecting the evolving nature of policy-making.
Joint Committee: A temporary group comprised of members from both chambers tasked with researching and reporting on specific topics, fostering collaboration in legislation.

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Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapter 5 of your government class with these flashcards. Each card covers important terms and definitions related to the legislative process, including committees and congressional practices. Perfect for review before your exam!