Questions and Answers
How does gerrymandering contribute to the incumbency effect?
Apportioning districts to benefit a candidate already in office can help that candidate to be re-elected.
How do campaign donations contribute to the incumbency effect?
Donors want to give money to people who can win. Incumbents have already won, so they are more likely to get campaign donations.
How does franking privilege contribute to the incumbency effect?
The franking privilege allows incumbents to send mail for free, enabling them to campaign via mail without cost.
How does casework/constituents contribute to the incumbency effect?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the sophomore surge contribute to the incumbency effect?
Signup and view all the answers
What are earmarks?
Signup and view all the answers
What are riders?
Signup and view all the answers
What is pork barreling?
Signup and view all the answers
What is logrolling?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do political parties play in terms of leadership roles?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the organizational differences between the House and the Senate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the process of how a bill becomes a law?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a Standing Committee?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a Sub Committee?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Senate Judiciary Committee?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Appropriations Committee?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Ways and Means Committee?
Signup and view all the answers
How do offices like the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) assist in the legislative process?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the Speaker of the House?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Gatekeeping authority?
Signup and view all the answers
What is after the fact oversight authority?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Congress have the power to do beyond passing laws?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the President in the legislative process?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Gerrymandering and Incumbency Effect
- Gerrymandering apportionments enhance re-election prospects for incumbents by creating favorable district boundaries.
Campaign Donations and Incumbency Effect
- Incumbents attract more campaign donations as donors favor candidates who have previously won elections.
Franking Privilege
- The franking privilege allows Congress members to send mail without postage, aiding incumbents in their campaign efforts through free communication.
Casework and Constituents
- Incumbents build trust and loyalty among constituents by providing personal services through casework, strengthening their electoral support.
Sophomore Surge
- New incumbents often experience a surge in electoral support due to voter approval of their prior actions.
Earmarks
- Special spending projects designated for individual members of Congress, often unnecessary, function as political tools for garnering local support.
Riders
- Amendments added to legislation that are unrelated to the bill's main purpose, often included to gain support for a bill.
Pork Barrelling
- Legislative appropriations for local projects that serve political interests more than community needs, enhancing re-election for local representatives.
Logrolling
- A practice where legislators agree to reciprocate support for each other’s legislation, fostering bipartisan cooperation based on mutual benefit.
Political Parties and Leadership Roles
- The majority party in Congress selects the Speaker, consolidating power and control over legislative priorities.
Political Parties and Committees
- Majority party dominance extends to committees, influencing legislative outcomes through majority control and appointment of committee chairs.
Political Parties and Bill Sponsorship
- Party unity among Congress members fosters collaboration, steering votes toward legislation that benefits the party's interests.
Divided Government Impact
- A divided government can complicate bill passage, as differing party control between Congress and the presidency may lead to vetoes or stalled legislation.
Organizational Differences: House vs. Senate
- The House consists of 438 members with 2-year terms; the Senate has 100 members serving 6-year terms.
Enumerated Powers of Congress
- Congress holds various powers including taxation, regulation of commerce, coining money, declaring war, and making necessary laws.
Forbidden Powers of Congress
- Congress cannot suspend habeas corpus, pass ex post facto laws, grant titles of nobility, or favor one state's commerce over another.
Legislative Powers Over Judiciary
- Congress can influence the judicial system by changing its size, proposing amendments, rejecting nominees, and controlling appropriations.
Legislative Powers Over Executive
- Congress can override presidential vetoes, impeach the president, and investigate executive actions, while the Senate has approval authority for appointments and treaties.
Executive Powers Over Legislative
- The president can veto laws, convene Congress in special sessions, and interprets laws enacted by Congress.
Judicial Powers Over Legislative
- Courts may declare laws unconstitutional, maintaining checks on legislative actions.
Bill Passage Process
- A bill undergoes multiple stages including committee review, debates, and approvals in both chambers, culminating in presidential action.
Standing Committee
- Permanent committees in Congress that handle legislation related to specific subject areas.
Sub Committee
- Divisions within congressional committees focusing on specific issues, reporting back to the main committee.
Joint Committee
- Comprising members from both chambers, joint committees assess major policy issues rather than legislative proposals.
Select Committee
- Temporary committees established for special purposes, such as investigations or focused studies.
Conference Committees
- Committees formed to reconcile differing versions of a bill passed by both the House and Senate.
Rules Committee
- A House committee that determines floor debate rules for legislation, impacting legislative procedures.
Appropriations Committee
- This committee regulates and allocates government funds, playing a crucial role in financial legislation.
Senate Judiciary Committee
- Oversees the confirmation process for federal judges nominated by the president, including Supreme Court justices.
Ways and Means Committee
- A House committee responsible for crafting revenue bills, members cannot serve on other committees.
Additional Congressional Powers
- Congress also provides advice on treaties, handles impeachment trials, exercises gatekeeping authority, and conducts oversight.
Gatekeeping Authority
- The power to determine whether specific policies will be considered within Congress.
After the Fact Oversight Authority
- Post-approval review of proposals to track their progress and overseeing implementation.
Congressional Support Offices
- Agencies like the CBO and GAO assist with drafting, investigating, and evaluating legislation and federal spending.
Speaker of the House
- Elected by the majority party to influence debate and committee assignments, holds significant agenda-setting power.
Majority Leader
- Chosen for popularity, assists in legislative scheduling and committee assignments, and leads debates.
Minority Leader
- Represents the minority party’s interests in the House and collaborates with majority leaders on agendas.
Party Whips
- Assist the Speaker by counting votes and ensuring party members align with party positions.
President of the Senate
- Oversees Senate proceedings, including breaking ties in votes.
President Pro Tempore
- The longest-serving member of the Senate, presides when the Vice President is unavailable.
Role of the US President in Legislation
- The President's actions on bills include signing, vetoing, or allowing a bill to pass without signature, leading to potential pocket vetoes.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores the concepts surrounding the incumbency effect in politics, including gerrymandering, campaign donations, and the franking privilege. Test your knowledge on how these factors influence electoral support for incumbents and their strategies to maintain office. Dive into political mechanisms that shape election outcomes!