U.S. Government Structure and Powers

Study Notes

Congressional Committees

Standing Committees: Permanent committees focusing on specific policy areas (e.g., finance, defense).
Joint Committees: Composed of members from both the House and Senate, addressing issues like taxation.
Conference Committees: Temporary committees reconciling differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Executive Office

Executive Office of the President: A group of advisors assisting the President in policy implementation and federal management.

Government Structure

Checks and Balances: A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of others.
Executive and Legislative Branches: The Executive enforces laws, while the Legislative makes them.

Presidential Powers

Formal Powers: Powers clearly stated in the Constitution (e.g., veto power).
Informal Powers: Powers based on influence and persuasion (e.g., agenda-setting).

Congressional Powers

House Powers: Initiates revenue bills and impeachment proceedings.
Senate Powers: Confirms appointments, treaties, and holds impeachment trials.
Enumerated Powers: Explicitly listed powers (e.g., taxation).
Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to carry out enumerated powers (Elastic Clause).
Inherent Powers: Powers stemming from the sovereignty of Congress (e.g., border control).

Oversight and Influence

Congressional Oversight: Congress's authority to monitor executive branch actions.
Bully Pulpit: The President's ability to use their position to influence public opinion.

Landmark Documents and Cases

Federalist 78: Advocates for an independent judiciary and judicial review.
Federalist 70: Supports a strong, singular executive for accountability.
Baker v. Carr: Courts can resolve redistricting issues, promoting "one person, one vote."
Marbury v. Madison: Established judicial review, enabling courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Legislative Processes

Rules Committee: Determines debate and voting procedures for bills in the House.
Ways and Means Committee: Manages tax policy and entitlement programs.
Iron Triangle/Issue Network: The interaction among government agencies, committees, and interest groups affecting policy.

Education and Mandates

No Child Left Behind: A law aiming to improve education through standards and accountability.
Unfunded Mandates: Federal requirements imposed on states without funding.

Legislative Techniques

Pork Spending: Local government spending viewed as wasteful but beneficial to constituents.
Logrolling: Lawmakers trading votes to pass mutually beneficial legislation.
Filibuster: A tactic to delay a Senate vote on a bill through extended debate.
Cloture: A procedure to end a filibuster requiring 60 votes.

Economic Structures

The FED: Manages the U.S. money supply and monetary policy.
Federal Corporations: Government-run entities like the U.S. Postal Service.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Activism: Interpreting the Constitution to address modern issues.
Judicial Restraint: Adhering closely to the Constitution's original intent in rulings.

Additional Cases

McDonald v. Chicago: Applied the Second Amendment to states via the 14th Amendment.
Worcester v. Georgia: Recognized Native American tribes as sovereign, though often disregarded.

Senate Powers

Advice and Consent Power: The Senate's authority to approve presidential appointments and treaties.

Public Goods Issue

Free Rider: Individuals benefiting from services without contributing towards their cost.

Independent Agencies

Independent Agencies: Federal organizations (e.g., NASA, EPA) operating outside executive departments, focusing on specific policy areas.

Description

This quiz covers key components of the U.S. government, including the roles of Congressional committees, the Executive Office, checks and balances, and presidential powers. Test your knowledge on how these elements work together to shape policy and governance in the United States.