The Reapportionment Act of 1929 Flashcards

The Reapportionment Act of 1929

• Mandates periodic reapportionment of US congressional seats based on census changes.

Bicameral Legislature

• Structure includes two houses, originating from a debate between small and large states regarding representation.

Seventeenth Amendment

• Ratified in 1913, it enhances democracy by enabling direct election of senators by the public.

Enumerated/Expressed Powers

• Refers to a limited number of specific powers granted by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

• Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to fulfill enumerated powers.

War Powers Act (1973)

• Aims to limit presidential military authority, allowing troops to be engaged in combat for 48 hours without congressional notification.

Implied Powers Doctrine

• Grants Congress authority to legislate on a broad spectrum of issues, including economic, social, and environmental matters.

Impeachment Process

• Involves charging an official with serious offenses categorized as “treason, bribery, high crimes, and misdemeanors.”

Advice and Consent Powers

• Senators have the authority to recommend or reject significant presidential appointments like cabinet members and federal judges.

Speaker of the House

• The majority party leader who presides over the House of Representatives, influencing law-making and organizing discussions.

Floor Leaders

• Majority and minority leaders in Congress who facilitate debate and guide discussions.

Whip

• Deputy floor leader responsible for maintaining party discipline.

Conference Chair

• Assists with party affairs, managing the organization of party-centric groups within Congress.

President Pro Tempore

• The official chair of the Senate, typically the longest-serving member of the majority party.

Standing Committee

• Permanent committees dedicated to specific legislative subjects, authorized by each house's rules.

House Judiciary Committee

• Responsible for impeachment proceedings and drafting crime bills outlining illegal actions and penalties.

Democrats' Steering and Policy Committees

• Assigns Democratic members to various standing committees.

Joint Committees

• Committees comprising both senators and representatives, focusing on specific issues such as the Library of Congress.

Markup Session

• An editing session for bills held within a committee.

Congressional Oversight

• Congressional committees ensure executive branch agencies implement policies as intended by legislation.

Ways and Means Committee

• A House-exclusive committee focused on tax policy, the first to draft details on proposed tax changes.

Rules Committee (House)

• Comprises 13 members, responsible for determining which bills are discussed and the conditions of those discussions.

Committee of the Whole

• A unique House procedure allowing extensive debate among fewer members and group voting instead of individual roll calls.

Unanimous Consent

• An agreement among all senators on the terms of debate for a piece of legislation, often used to limit Senate discussion.

Hold

• A Senate procedural practice allowing a senator to delay a bill's consideration by placing a hold on it.