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Congress Focus Questions
AP Government
Merritt
Congress Essential Questions
Article I
1. Which legislative power, enumerated or implied, is most significant?
2. Which branch is most powerful? What is the current status of the Checks and Balance concept?
3. “Power is fluid”, what does this mean in the legislative, executive, and judicial relationship
Congress Focus questions
Article I
1. Identify the functions of the Speaker of the House. Why is this position so important? Describe other House leadership positions and their functions.
2. Are term limits Constitutional? What is the incumbency factor?
3. What is redistricting and how does it impact the make up of the House? How do state and local politics play into redistricting? How can the problems associated with it be solved?
4. What is the committee system? Why is the Rules Committee so powerful?
5. Describe the formal process by which a bill becomes a law, including ways in which bills may become stalled in committee or on the floor. What role does special interest groups play in this process? Compare the formal process with the informal (real) process.
6. Consider PACs, lobbyists, and Special Interest Groups and the role they play in the lawmaking process, what are ethical implications of the system?
7. Identify the factors that help to explain why a member of Congress votes as he or she does.
8. Explain the differences between the roles of a Senator and Representative.
Congress Notes
(Supplemental)
Bi-cameral Legislature – 2 House
Point of view – Decision making
• Constituents
• Party – organized along party line, committee membership
• Personal view
Special powers of the Congress – enumerated
• Revenue - House
• Impeachment – House - Trial and removal – Senate
• Approval of appointments and treaties– Senate
Implied Powers
• Oversight of budget – appropriations
• Investigation
Committee membership – controlled by Party
• Chairmen chosen by majority committee members
• Rules – Closed v. Open
Caucuses – informal organizations w/in Congress made of members with similar interests/issues
• Rural caucus, agricultural caucus
• Can vote in bloc
• Use numbers to pressure favorable legislation
Introduction of Bills
• H.R. or S.
Resolutions
• Simple – No force of law, can be for anything, set rules congratulatory, recognition, etc
• Concurrent – from both House and Senate – Procedural in nature, how things will work
• Joint Resolution – Force of Law, signed by President
o Reaction to a pressing/immediate issue – 9/11 authorization of military action, Schiavo
Bills in committee
• Revenue Bills in House – Ways and Means Committee
• Discharge petition – used to get bills stuck in House Committee out - 218 members
Calendars – All bills must be placed on specific house calendar for consideration
• House: Union – Revenue; House – Non $$ impotant; Private; Consent – non controversial; Discharge
o All Bills from committee go to Rules Committee
• Senate: Executive – Presidential nominations and treaties; Calendar of legislation – all other
o All bills from Committee go to Floor
Congressional Criticism
• “Pork Barrel” and “Logrolling”
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