U.S. Congress and Electoral System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is one key difference between the House and the Senate regarding their constituency?

House members represent the entire state.

Senators are elected for shorter terms.

Senators have a stronger party control.

House members represent districts. (correct)

What voting system does the U.S. Congress use for electing members?

Proportional representation.

Cumulative voting.

Ranked choice voting.

Single member district plurality. (correct)

Why does the U.S. Congress often experience divided government?

Officials are elected via runoff elections.

There is proportional representation in elections.

Members serve overlapping terms in different chambers.

Congress and the president are elected independently. (correct)

Which statement reflects the general public opinion towards Congress?

People like their own representatives despite overall disapproval. Signup and view all the answers

What role do political parties primarily play in Congress?

Performing representation and lawmaking. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Senate rules compared to House rules?

Senate rules are generally more flexible. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age requirement for a member of the Senate?

30 years. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the behavior of legislators in Congress?

They are primarily concerned with re-election. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the President as Commander in Chief?

Commit troops and engage in hostilities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes executive privilege?

The power to withhold national security communications Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment clarified presidential succession after the assassination of JFK?

25th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What is required of the President when committing troops into action?

Inform Congress within 48 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which power is NOT part of the President's responsibilities as Chief Diplomat?

Engage in warfare Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Vice President in the U.S. government?

Serve as a senior advisor to the President Signup and view all the answers

How does the process of transferring power distinguish democracies from non-democracies?

Democracies have fixed terms and regulated transitions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the president exercising emergency powers?

Suspending civil liberties during the Civil War Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of reapportionment?

To determine the number of electoral votes for each state. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the lawmaking process?

Judicial Review Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of gerrymandering?

Allows parties to have disproportionately large numbers of seats. Signup and view all the answers

What role do standing committees play in the legislative process?

They control the survival of legislation. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the President takes no action on a bill and Congress is in session?

The bill automatically becomes law after 10 days. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the function of a conference committee?

It resolves differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for district boundaries when states engage in redistricting?

They must have equal population. Signup and view all the answers

Which group often has substantial influence over new district boundaries during redistricting?

The majority party in the state legislature Signup and view all the answers

What is required for Congress to override a presidential veto?

2/3 support from both houses Signup and view all the answers

Which power allows the president to reduce sentences for specific offenders?

Pardoning power Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of government can impeach and remove the president?

Congress Signup and view all the answers

What role does the vice president have in the Senate?

President of the Senate Signup and view all the answers

What describes a disadvantage of the separation of powers system?

Difficulty and slowness in carrying out checks Signup and view all the answers

In a parliamentary system, the executive authority is primarily determined by what?

Majority control of the legislature Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the features of a parliamentary system?

Easier to make quick policy changes Signup and view all the answers

What legislative action can courts undertake against laws passed by Congress?

Declare laws unconstitutional Signup and view all the answers

What role does life tenure for judges primarily serve in the U.S. judiciary?

Maintains judicial independence Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of judicial review as intended by the Framers?

To determine the constitutionality of laws or actions Signup and view all the answers

In what way do courts contribute to policy in the United States?

By interpreting and applying laws Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the relationship between the judiciary and other branches of government?

The judiciary is a separate, co-equal branch Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects a misconception about the Supreme Court's power?

The Supreme Court has the authority to amend the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Why was the judiciary intended to be non-political according to the Framers?

To protect the rights of the minority against the majority's will Signup and view all the answers

How does judicial independence relate to citizens' political rights?

Greater judicial independence leads to increased rights Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase 'No sword, no purse; no force, no will, merely judgement' in the context of the judiciary?

It highlights the judiciary's lack of enforcement power Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Congress and Electoral System

U.S. Congress and President are elected independently, allowing for divided government.
Members of Congress are elected by plurality vote in single-member districts, meaning the candidate with the most votes wins.
This winner-takes-all system contrasts with proportional representation, where seats are awarded to parties proportionate to their vote share.

U.S. Bicameral System

Congress consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House has 435 members, each representing a district, with a two-year term.
The Senate has 100 members, with each state having two senators serving six-year terms.
Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures but are now elected by citizens.

Chamber Differences

House: Less flexible rules, stronger party control, faster floor debate, hierarchical power structure.
Senate: More flexible rules, weaker party control, slower floor debate (due to filibuster), more even power distribution.

Congressional Approval and Political Parties

Public perception of Congress often portrays it as ineffective, with low approval ratings.
While the general public may view Congress unfavorably, they often have positive opinions of their own representatives.
Political parties play a significant role in Congress, serving two primary functions: representation and lawmaking.

Understanding Members' Behavior

Members of Congress are often viewed as single-minded seekers of reelection.
They target constituents by focusing on specific issues or demographics, including education, military experience, ethnicity, and gender.

Congressional Districts

The number of House members is fixed at 435 since 1911.
House districts are population-based, determined by the census.
Reapportionment: occurs after each census and may alter the number of House seats each state has, influencing electoral votes.
Redistricting: states draw district boundaries after reapportionment, ensuring equal population in each district and prohibiting race as a primary consideration.
Gerrymandering involves drawing districts to favor one party, giving them a disproportionate number of seats. This practice is only applicable to the House of Representatives.

Redistricting as Rules of the Game

Majority parties in state legislatures often influence redistricting, creating safe seats for their members and/or the majority party.
The use of map-making programs further facilitates the creation of these safe seats, minimizing incentives to appeal to a bipartisan audience.

Lawmaking Process

Lawmaking in Congress follows a five-step process:
- Introduction: A member proposes legislation, including full text.
- Committee Review: The bill is referred to the relevant committee for hearings, gathering expert input, and markup (making amendments).
- Chamber Consideration: The bill is debated, subject to rules governing debate and amendments, and voted upon.
- Conference Committee: If both chambers pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee reconciles the differences, with any changes requiring approval from both chambers.
- President: The approved bill is sent to the President, who can sign it into law, veto it (requiring a 2/3 vote in both chambers to override), or take no action (becoming law after 10 days if Congress is in session).

The Committee System

Committees play a crucial role in lawmaking, often controlling the fate of legislation.
Standing Committees: Handle specific subject matters, like Judiciary or Homeland Security; seniority plays a role in membership, fostering specialization and stability.

Emergency Powers

Presidents have inherent emergency powers exercised during national crises, not explicitly outlined in the Constitution.
These powers are often granted by law.
Examples include Lincoln suspending civil liberties during the Civil War and Presidential actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Privilege

The power of the President to withhold confidential information related to national security.
Modern presidents have interpreted this power broadly, but the courts have limited it.
Notable cases include United States v. Nixon (leading to Nixon's resignation), Clinton and the Lewinsky scandal, and Trump's handling of various investigations.

Commander in Chief

The President is the head of the nation's armed forces.
While Congress has the power to declare war, the President possesses the authority to commit troops and engage in hostilities.
Presidents must inform Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and require Congressional approval for deployments exceeding 60 days.

Chief Diplomat

The President plays a primary role in U.S. foreign policy.
They appoint ambassadors and have treaty-making power.
Executive agreements, statements of understanding between the administration and foreign governments, are exempt from Senate ratification and can be discontinued by subsequent presidents.

Party Leader

The President is the de facto leader of their party, with nationwide constituents, high visibility, and significant fundraising capacity.
They are in a position to influence Congress, the public, bureaucrats, etc.

The Vice President

The Vice President's role is not well defined by the Constitution.
They serve as tiebreaker in the Senate, strengthen the presidential ticket, act as senior advisor, and have increasing influence in policy formulation.
They are second in line of succession to the presidency.

Presidential Succession

The 25th amendment, passed after JFK's assassination, clarifies presidential succession.
Presidents can be removed from office if "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office," either temporarily or permanently.
The line of succession is:
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House
- President Pro Tempore
- Presidential cabinet, starting with the Secretary of State.

Transfer of Power

Peaceful transition of power between presidents is a key feature of democracies.
Inauguration Day (January 20th) marks the transfer, bringing together all three branches of government.
The Chief Justice administers the oath of office.
Congress plays a role in the transfer by:
- overriding a veto
- impeaching and removing the President
- ratifying treaties (Senate)
- confirming Presidential appointments (Senate)

President → Congress

The President can:
- Veto legislation: This is a powerful tool to prevent laws, as overriding a veto requires significant support from both chambers.
- Vice President presides over the Senate: casting tie-breaking votes and overseeing the electoral vote count.

President → Courts

The President can:
- Appoint judges: This can significantly influence the court's direction.
- Grant pardons: A pardon is a form of executive clemency, offering relief from legal penalties.
- Commute sentences: A sentence commutation reduces the length of a prison sentence.

Courts → President

The Court can:
- Review and declare executive orders or actions unconstitutional: A landmark example is the Court preventing the Commerce Department from including a citizenship question on the 2020 census.

Courts → Congress

The Court can:
- Review and declare laws or actions unconstitutional: The Court has struck down nearly 1,000 federal laws, including in cases like Murphy v. NCAA (2018)

Separation of Powers System Disadvantages

The dispersal of power among branches and actors can lead to gridlock, as cooperation is required for progress.
Voters may find it difficult to assign responsibility for policy outcomes.
The system can be slow and inefficient in carrying out checks and balances.

Comparative Perspective

The most common alternative to the U.S. system is the parliamentary system.
In parliamentary systems, power is more consolidated, and the executive authority arises from the majority control of the legislature.
Prime Ministers are elected by parliament rather than citizens.

Features of Parliamentary Systems

Executive authority is directly linked to the legislature, making it easier to enact policy changes quickly.
Voters can more readily determine responsibility for policy outcomes.
The legislature can remove the executive at any time, but the executive is largely unchecked otherwise.
Elections can be held at any time.

Separation of Powers vs. Parliamentary Systems

Separation of Powers: Checks and balances, voters find it difficult to assess responsibility, slow process for removing the executive.
Parliamentary: Direct executive-legislative alliance, quick policy changes, voters can easily hold government accountable, executive largely unchecked, flexible election schedule.

Wrap Up

The core features of separation of power involve checks and balances between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
The U.S. system contrasts with the parliamentary system, which has a more centralized power structure.

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Description

This quiz explores the structure and electoral processes of the U.S. Congress. It covers the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as the implications of the plurality vote in single-member districts. Test your understanding of how these elements work together in the American political system.