American National Government Review Sheet Test 3 POLS 206 This is a list of general topics you will need to know in order to do well on the second test This test covers chapters 11 through 14 and includes the topics of Congress the Presidency the bureaucracy and the courts 1 Where is the center of policymaking Congress 2 What are the attractions to the job of being a member of Congress Power is the greatest attraction They are given travel allowances and franking privileges can send out mail for free 3 What is substantive representation Representation that represents the interest of groups 4 What is meant by pork barrel projects They are federal projects grants etc made available in a congressional district or state i e money being set aside for A M a lot of people don t like it and want to get rid of it 5 What are the advantages of incumbency and why do incumbents lose Advertising Credit claiming a The goal is to be visible to your constituents b Frequent trips home use of newsletter and technology i specifically helping constituents get what they think c Service to constituents through Casework they have a right to if you have a problem talk to your member of Congress about it federal projects grants etc made available in a Pork Barrel congressional district or state i e money set aside for A M ii a A lot of people don t like it want to get rid of it d Portray themselves as hard working dedicated individuals e Occasionally take a partisan stand on an issue because they want to differentiate themselves Position Taking Weak Opponents f Campaign Spending Inexperienced in politics unorganized and underfunded g Challengers need to raise large sums to defeat an incumbent h PACs give most of their money to incumbents i Does PAC money buy votes in Congress No they re buying access i ii Just because you spend the most money doesn t mean you win 1 More money incumbent spends more likely they are to be Defeating Incumbents defeated j One tarnished by scandal or corruption becomes vulnerable to a challenger i e they didn t pay their taxes sex scandal k Redistricting may weaken the incumbency advantage l Major political tidal wave may defeat incumbents 6 What do PACs buy with their money PACs give most of their money to incumbents buys them access 7 What is bicameralism Two house chamber system House of Representatives and the Senate 8 Know what is meant by and the process of impeachment Impeachment is an accusation requiring a majority vote in the House of Representatives Charges may be brought for treason bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors If impeached by the House the president is tried by the Senate with the Chief Justice presiding Active impeachment indictment act of impeachment is the indictment by the House of Representatives Requires majority vote deals only with accusation are tried by the Senate They will pass guilty not guilty vote once the House indicts vote for impeachment you Process of impeachment o 2 3 vote of the Senate to convict you thrown out of office if convicted 9 What are the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate Revenue bills start here 435 members 2 year terms House Smaller constituencies More centralized stronger leadership Less prestige Small turnover Seniority more important in determining power Senate Limited debate Impeachment requires majority vote More influential on BUDGET affairs more specialized treaties tries impeached officials 100 members 6 year terms 2 members per state Larger constituencies Less centralized weaker leadership More prestige More influential on FOREIGN affairs less specialized Must give advice and consent to many presidential nominations approve Moderate turnover Seniority less important in determining power Unlimited debate Impeachment tries the president 2 3 vote 10 What is a filibuster Unlimited debates control of the agenda through lengthy debate in the Senate ONLY 11 Why are committees and subcommittees important to Congress Committees are important because this is where the work gets done they serve as the backbone of Congress work force 12 Know the different types of committees Standing committee subject matter committees that handle bills in different policy areas permanent most important committees Joint committee a few subject matter areas membership drawn from the House and Senate help Congress research areas that there are not standing committees for increasingly important because you cannot have two separate versions of a bill specific purpose such as the Watergate Scandal legislative oversight here set up to investigate wrong doing in the executive branch created for a specific purpose temporarily created for a resolve differences in House and Senate bills Conference committee Select committee 13 What is presidential power according to Neustadt Said presidential power is the power to persuade not command 14 Know the 22nd Amendment Limited the presidency in 1951 to two terms verses unlimited 15 Know the responsibilities of the vice president Basically just waits for things to do Power has grown over time as recent presidents have given their VPs important jobs Traditionally the VP has very little responsibility 16 How does the President control the bureaucracy By appointments and executive order 17 What are the OMB NSC and CEA performs both managerial and budgetary functions including OMB legislative review and budgetary assessments of proposals NSC created to coordinate the president s foreign and military policy advisors members include the president VP secretary of state and defense and managed by the president s national security adviser CEA policy a three member body appointed by the president to advise on economic 18 Know the different types of vetoes Pocket veto the president can send a bill back to Congress with his reasons for Veto rejecting it It may be overridden by 2 3 supports of both Houses adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill but not the president only on appropriations bills Line item veto a president can let a bill die by not signing it when Congress ability to veto parts of a bill some state governors have it 19 What is a midterm election A congressional election not accompanied by a presidential election 20 What are electoral mandates Perception that you favor the president s character or policy 21 Know the War Powers Resolution 1973 Intended to limit the president s use of the military Requires president to consult with Congress prior to using military force
View Full Document
Unlocking...