Pew Notes: The Congress

  1. As the result of decentralization in the 1970s (esp. w/"class of '74"),what happened to the power of subcommittee chairmen?What about the influence of committee chairmen?
  1. Give three reasons why the Senate is a more naturally decentralized and informal body.
  1. What was the result of the passage of the 17th Amendment?
  1. As the result of the 17th Amendment how could a filibuster be terminated?
  1. Why is the Senate considered a more informal body than the House?
  1. What is the reelection rate in House? For the Senate?
  1. Name 6 advantages of incumbency. Look up what “franking privilege” is.
  1. Summarize 3 points of reapportionment found in the notes.
  1. Define “gerrymandering.”
  1. List four effects of “gerrymandering.”
  1. Explain the “Baker v. Carr” case. How did this case effect gerrymandering?
  1. List out all expressed/enumerated powers actually spelled out in the Const. Which power has been consistently tested by the courts and why?
  1. Define principal of “elastic clause.” Use textbook if necessary.
  1. Name and explain two congressional checks on the president’s powers.
  1. Name two duties of the Speaker of the House
  1. How can the President reward or punish members of his/her party?
  1. Define “Iron Triangle.”
  1. What kind of bill drafting process where the Founding Fathers looking for?
  1. What is “pigeonholing” a bill?
  1. List two important functions of the Rules Committee (House only).
  1. Which branch of congress only allows for filibusters? How are filibusters ended?
  1. What does the “conference committee” do?
  1. How can Congress override a president’s veto (what fraction of votes is needed?)
  1. What is a “line-item” veto? What is its status with Chief Executive (cite Supreme Court case)? With state governors?
  1. Where is the “real work” done in Congress?
  1. Why is getting the right committee so important to members of Congress?
  1. What is the “seniority system” in Congress? Why is it used-advantages?
  1. What are Standing Committees? What powers do they possess?
  1. What does the “Rules Committee” do? Why is the “RC” considered the most powerful in congress?
  1. What issues does the “Ways and Means” Committee deal with?
  1. Why does the Senate have a larger role in foreign affairs than the House?
  1. What is the purpose of the Conference Committee? What work in done in CC’s?
  1. After conference committee sends bill back to each house, are new amendments allowed? What usually happens to the bill?