Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of Congress?
What is the primary function of Congress?
- Provide public education
- Oversee the actions of the president
- Make laws (correct)
- Represent the views of constituents
Which chamber of Congress is responsible for representing the views of constituents?
Which chamber of Congress is responsible for representing the views of constituents?
- Both the House of Representatives and the Senate (correct)
- Senate
- House of Representatives
- Neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate
What is bicameralism?
What is bicameralism?
- The practice of having two executive branches
- A form of government with no legislative body
- The practice of having two legislative chambers (correct)
- A form of government with only one legislative chamber
How does the bicameral system ensure agreement on proposed legislation?
How does the bicameral system ensure agreement on proposed legislation?
What is gerrymandering?
What is gerrymandering?
Which method is used for congressional apportionment in the U.S.?
Which method is used for congressional apportionment in the U.S.?
How often is population data gathered for congressional apportionment?
How often is population data gathered for congressional apportionment?
What type of power is specifically stated in the Constitution?
What type of power is specifically stated in the Constitution?
Which power is inferred as necessary to achieve the objectives of the national government?
Which power is inferred as necessary to achieve the objectives of the national government?
Why does the House of Representatives have a stronger and more structured leadership than the Senate?
Why does the House of Representatives have a stronger and more structured leadership than the Senate?
Which group emerged in 2010 and can raise and spend unlimited funds independently of a campaign or party?
Which group emerged in 2010 and can raise and spend unlimited funds independently of a campaign or party?
What is the term used for a power that is assumed to exist as a direct result of the country’s existence?
What is the term used for a power that is assumed to exist as a direct result of the country’s existence?
How do Senate members differ in facing their constituents compared to House members?
How do Senate members differ in facing their constituents compared to House members?
What did the 2002 McCain-Feingold Act place limits on?
What did the 2002 McCain-Feingold Act place limits on?
What type of power is necessary to achieve the objectives of the national government?
What type of power is necessary to achieve the objectives of the national government?
Why does the House of Representatives have structured leadership compared to the Senate?
Why does the House of Representatives have structured leadership compared to the Senate?
What term describes a power that is neither explicitly stated nor inferred, yet is assumed to exist as a result of the country's existence?
What term describes a power that is neither explicitly stated nor inferred, yet is assumed to exist as a result of the country's existence?
What is the primary difference between descriptive representation and collective representation in Congress?
What is the primary difference between descriptive representation and collective representation in Congress?
Which factor influences congressional approval ratings based on the text?
Which factor influences congressional approval ratings based on the text?
In the House of Representatives, what determines the leadership position of the Speaker?
In the House of Representatives, what determines the leadership position of the Speaker?
What differentiates inherent powers from enumerated powers in the context of Congressional authority?
What differentiates inherent powers from enumerated powers in the context of Congressional authority?
What contributes to the structured leadership in the House of Representatives compared to the Senate?
What contributes to the structured leadership in the House of Representatives compared to the Senate?
What distinguishes inherent powers from enumerated powers in the context of Congressional authority?
What distinguishes inherent powers from enumerated powers in the context of Congressional authority?
How does the structure of the Senate differ from the House of Representatives regarding leadership positions?
How does the structure of the Senate differ from the House of Representatives regarding leadership positions?
What is an example of an implied power exercised by Congress?
What is an example of an implied power exercised by Congress?
In the context of Senate procedures, what is a filibuster primarily used for?
In the context of Senate procedures, what is a filibuster primarily used for?
How do implied powers differ from inherent powers in terms of their basis?
How do implied powers differ from inherent powers in terms of their basis?
Study Notes
Congressional Powers
- Enumerated power: explicitly stated in the Constitution
- Implied power: not specifically detailed in the Constitution, but inferred as necessary to achieve national government objectives
- Inherent power: assumed to exist as a direct result of the country's existence, neither enumerated nor implied
The Legislative Process
- A bill is drafted and majority leadership consults with the parliamentarian on committee assignment
- A hearing is held on the bill, followed by the markup stage
- The bill passes through the House Committee on Rules, then to the floor for debate and amendments
- The House votes on the bill, and if passed, it is placed on the Senate calendar
- If passed by the Senate, the bill is sent to the president for signature or veto
- If signed, the bill becomes law
Congressional Representation
- Descriptive representation: rooted in the racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, and sexual identity of representatives
- Collective representation: the relationship between Congress and the United States as a whole, considering whether the institution represents the American people
Congressional Elections
- House of Representatives: stronger, more structured leadership, with members serving 2-year terms
- Senate: members serve 6-year terms, farther from constituent demands and scrutiny
- Campaign funding: 2002 McCain-Feingold Act placed limits on contributions, prohibited coordination between candidates and PAC campaigns, and required personal endorsements on political ads
- Super PACs: emerged in 2010, can raise and spend unlimited funds independently of campaigns or parties
Congressional Leadership
- Speaker of the House: most important leadership position, elected by the entire body, with significant power
- Minority leader: official leader of the opposition
- Whips: enforce party discipline and "whip up" votes
- Senate leadership: majority and minority leaders hold power, with the vice president as Senate president
Congressional Committees
- Standing committees: permanent committees, first call for proposed bills
- Joint committees: composed of members from both the House and Senate, charged with exploring key issues, informational only
- Ad hoc committees: temporary, set up to address specific topics, often conduct special investigations
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Description
Learn about the three kinds of powers granted to Congress - Enumerated, Implied, and Inherent powers. Explore the differences between the House of Representatives and Senate elections.
