POLI 201 Exam 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a constituency?

The district making up the area from which an official is elected.

What is a delegate?

A representative who votes according to his constituency's desires.

What is agency representation?

The type of representation according to which representatives are held accountable to their constituents if they fail to represent them properly.

One important type of ______ consists of helping constituents obtain favorable treatment from the federal bureaucracy.

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What is pork-barrel legislation?

The appropriations made by legislative bodies for local projects that often are not needed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a party caucus?

A normally closed meeting of a political or legislative group to select candidates or leaders. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Speaker of the House?

The chief presiding officer of the House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Majority Leader?

The elected leader of the party holding a majority of the seats in the House or Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Minority Leader?

The elected leader of the party holding less than a majority of the seats in the House or Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What are standing committees?

A permanent legislative committee that considers legislation within its designated subject area. Signup and view all the answers

What is gatekeeping authority?

The right and power to decide if a change in policy will be considered. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conference committee?

A joint committee created to work out a compromise for House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation. Signup and view all the answers

What is oversight in the context of Congress?

The effort by Congress to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a closed rule?

The provision that prohibits the introduction of amendments during debate. Signup and view all the answers

What is an open rule?

The provision that permits floor debate and the addition of amendments to a bill. Signup and view all the answers

What is a filibuster?

A tactic used by members of the Senate to prevent action on legislation by continuously holding the floor. Signup and view all the answers

What is cloture?

A rule allowing a supermajority of the members of the legislative body to set a time limit on debate over a given bill. Signup and view all the answers

What is logrolling?

An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills. Signup and view all the answers

What are expressed powers?

Powers directly stated in the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What are delegated powers?

Constitutional powers assigned to one governmental agency but exercised by another agency with permission. Signup and view all the answers

What are inherent powers?

Powers claimed by a president that are not expressed in the Constitution but are inferred from it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the War Powers Resolution?

A law that requires presidents to consult with Congress before using military force. Signup and view all the answers

What is a line-item veto?

Presidential power to strike specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package. Signup and view all the answers

What is a veto?

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pocket veto?

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill. Signup and view all the answers

What are executive orders?

Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Definitions

Constituency: A district from which an official is elected, representing the interests of local voters.
Delegate: A representative who votes based on the preferences of their constituency.
Agency Representation: Representatives are held accountable to their constituents; the electorate has the power to hire and fire elected officials.
Casework: Efforts by Congress members to gain voter trust through personal services, notably assisting constituents with federal agency interactions.
Pork-barrel Legislation: Funding appropriated for local projects that are often unnecessary, intended to help representatives secure votes in their home district during elections.
Party Caucus (or Party Conference): A closed meeting held by a political group to make decisions on candidates, strategy, or legislative matters.
Speaker of the House: The leading officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for overseeing proceedings and representing the House.
Majority Leader: The elected leader of the party that holds the majority of seats in either the House or Senate.
Minority Leader: The leader of the party with less than a majority in the House or Senate.
Standing Committees: Permanent committees in Congress that focus on specific legislative areas.
Gatekeeping Authority: The power to determine whether a policy change will be considered by a legislative body.
Conference Committee: A special committee formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
Oversight: Congress's efforts to monitor and control executive agencies' actions through investigations and hearings.
Closed Rule: A House Rules Committee provision that forbids amendments during debate on a bill.
Open Rule: Allows for floor debate and amendments to be made to a bill during consideration in the House.
Filibuster: A Senate tactic where a member speaks to delay legislative action, requiring a cloture vote of three-fifths to end.
Cloture: A rule permitting a supermajority in Congress to set time limits on debates surrounding bills.
Logrolling: Agreements between lawmakers to support each other's proposals or legislation.

Powers of Government

Expressed Powers: Powers explicitly outlined in the Constitution.
Delegated Powers: Powers granted to one government agency but executed by another with permission.
Inherent Powers: Powers claimed by the president that aren't stated in the Constitution but are inferred.
War Powers Resolution: A 1973 law mandating presidential consultation with Congress before military action and requiring withdrawal after 60 days unless authorized by Congress; seen as unconstitutional by some presidents.
Line-item Veto: A presidential power to selectively veto parts of a spending bill; this power was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Veto: The authority of the chief executive to reject legislation passed by Congress.
Pocket Veto: A situation in which the president allows a bill to die by not signing it within 10 days while Congress is adjourned.
Executive Orders: Directives issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

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Prepare for your POLI 201 Exam with these flashcards. Each card presents key terms and definitions that are essential for understanding the concepts related to constituencies and representation. Study effectively and boost your knowledge before the exam!