Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a key distinction in the policymaking process between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
Which of the following is a key distinction in the policymaking process between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
- The Senate has the House Rules Committee, which sets the legislative agenda.
- The House emphasizes more on foreign policy and less on monetary policy, while the Senate does the opposite.
- The Senate allows for filibusters, potentially blocking legislation, while the House does not. (correct)
- The House has unlimited debate, while the Senate has structured debate rules.
The House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee have what common legislative focus?
The House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee have what common legislative focus?
- Overseeing the federal budget and appropriations process.
- Regulating interstate commerce and trade agreements.
- Drafting legislation related to taxation and revenue generation. (correct)
- Conducting impeachment proceedings against federal officials.
What recourse does the House of Representatives have if a committee chair refuses to bring a bill favored by the majority of the House to the floor for a vote?
What recourse does the House of Representatives have if a committee chair refuses to bring a bill favored by the majority of the House to the floor for a vote?
- The Rules Committee may draft a special rule to bypass the committee and bring the bill to the floor.
- A discharge petition can be used to force the bill out of committee and onto the floor. (correct)
- The Speaker may remove the chair from their position and appoint a new chair.
- The House can vote to censure the committee chair, thereby compelling them to act.
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies logrolling in the legislative process?
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies logrolling in the legislative process?
How does the filibuster in the Senate impact the legislative process?
How does the filibuster in the Senate impact the legislative process?
What is the primary purpose of cloture in the Senate?
What is the primary purpose of cloture in the Senate?
Which type of spending constitutes the largest portion of the federal budget and is typically difficult to adjust in the short term?
Which type of spending constitutes the largest portion of the federal budget and is typically difficult to adjust in the short term?
How does the concept of 'pork-barrel spending' affect the legislative process?
How does the concept of 'pork-barrel spending' affect the legislative process?
Which of the following is the first step in the legislative process - “How a bill becomes a law”?
Which of the following is the first step in the legislative process - “How a bill becomes a law”?
What is the role of an appropriations bill in the federal budget process?
What is the role of an appropriations bill in the federal budget process?
Flashcards
Speaker of the House
Speaker of the House
The principal leader of the House, responsible for setting the legislative agenda.
Committees
Committees
Congressional groups that review and revise bills before they are considered by the full House or Senate.
House Rules Committee
House Rules Committee
A House committee that determines the terms and conditions of debate when a bill goes to the House floor.
House Ways and Means Committee
House Ways and Means Committee
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Discharge Petition
Discharge Petition
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Filibuster
Filibuster
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Cloture
Cloture
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Mandatory Spending
Mandatory Spending
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Discretionary Spending
Discretionary Spending
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Pork-Barrel Spending
Pork-Barrel Spending
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Study Notes
- The structure, powers, and functions of the House and Senate significantly shape the policymaking process in Congress.
House and Senate Leadership
- House leadership roles include the Speaker of the House, majority leader, and minority leader.
- Senate leadership positions consist of the Senate Majority Leader and the President of the Senate whom is the Vice President.
- Leadership roles control the legislative agenda, committee assignments, and floor debates.
Committees
- Standing committees are permanent panels with jurisdiction over specific policy areas.
- Select committees are temporary committees created for specific purposes, such as investigations.
- Joint committees include members from both the House and Senate and handle issues of mutual interest.
- Conference committees reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
House Rules Committee
- The House Rules Committee sets the terms of debate and amendments on a bill, exerting considerable control over the legislative process in the House
House Ways and Means Committee
- The House Ways and Means Committee is responsible for tax policy and revenue measures.
Discharge Petition
- A discharge petition is a mechanism for forcing a bill out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote.
Filibuster (Senate)
- A filibuster is a tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate.
Cloture
- Cloture is a procedure used to end a filibuster in the Senate, requiring a supermajority vote (usually 60 votes).
Mandatory Spending
- Mandatory spending is government spending required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare.
Discretionary Spending
- Discretionary spending is government spending that is subject to the annual appropriations process.
Pork-Barrel Spending
- Pork-barrel spending refers to the allocation of funds for projects that benefit specific districts or states.
Logrolling
- Logrolling is the practice of exchanging favors or votes between legislators to pass bills.
Revenue (“Money”) Bill
- Revenue bills, which deal with taxation and government funding, must originate in the House of Representatives.
Appropriation(s)
- Appropriations are the allocation of funds for specific government programs or agencies.
The Legislative Process
- A bill is introduced in either the House or Senate
- The bill is then referred to a committee for review and consideration
- The committee may hold hearings, amend the bill, and vote on whether to recommend it to the full chamber
- If the bill is approved by the committee, it is placed on the calendar for consideration by the full House or Senate
- The bill is debated on the floor, amendments may be offered, and a vote is taken
- If the bill passes in one chamber, it is sent to the other chamber for consideration
- If the bill passes both chambers in identical form, it is sent to the President for signature
- The President may sign the bill into law or veto it
- If the President vetoes the bill, Congress may override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers
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