Congressional Functions and Processes: A Comprehensive Overview
Advantages of Incumbency
- name recognition
- credit claiming
- casework
- franking privilege
- access to media
- ease in fund raising
- experience in running a campaign
- redistricting
Apportionment
The process of allotting congressional seats to each state according to its proportion of the population, following the decennial census
ART. 1 of the Constitution
Describes the structure of the legislative branch of government
Bicameral legislature
A law making body made of two houses (senate, house of representatives)
Blue slip process
Senators may submit a favorable or unfavorable review of a nominee
Budgetary Function
Spends a great deal of time drafting, debating, and disposing of the nation’s budget
Committee chairs
The most important influencers of the congressional agenda
Committee Membership
Members of both chambers may request membership on a particular committee based on their personal interests and expertise
Conference committee
Special joint committees that work out the differences in bills passed by the House and the Senate
Confirmation of Presidential Appointments
Senate has oversight function through its ability to confirm key members of the executive branch, as well as presidential appointments to the courts
Congressional budget act of 1974
Act that established the congressional budget process by laying out a plan for congressional action on the annual budget resolution, appropriations, reconciliation, and any other revenue bills
Congressional Budget Office
A nonpartisan agency that helps members of Congress analyze spending bills
Congressional Demographics
Rich highly educated white male protestant lawyers & businessmen
Congressional review
A process whereby congress can nullify agency regulations by a joint resolution of legislative disapproval
Delegate
Representative who follows wishes of constituents
Divided government
Different political parties control presidency and Congress
Filibuster
A deliberate attempt to halt legislation by using long speeches or unlimited debate
Floor debate in House
The House can form a committee of 100 members who will debate and amend the bill to streamline the process so that all House members do not have to speak
Floor debate in the senate
The Senate may hold up a bill by a hold or a filibuster
Gerrymandering
A practice intended to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries
Impeachment
Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
Incumbency
The time during which a person holds a particular office or position: the state of holding a particular office or position
Interest group
An advocacy group or association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favour
Joint committee
Standing committees that include members from both the House and the Senate (conduct investigations, special studies, and focus on major issues)
Judicial review
Supreme Court can determine if legislation is constitutional
Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
Congress determines the number of federal judges on each court as well as the boundaries of judicial districts and circuits
Lawmaking
The process of establishing the legal rules that govern society
Lobbyist
Advocates who represent clients (corporations, non-profits, interest groups); try to persuade members to vote a certain way
Logrolling
Supporting another member’s legislation in exchange for future support
Majority leader of the house
Spokesman for the majority party
Majority Leader of the Senate
True leader of the senate
Minority leader of the house
Spokesman for the minority party
Official chair of the senate
President Pro Tempore
Oversight function
Congress can ‘check’ the power of the other two branches
Pocket veto
A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it
Political Action Committees (PACS)
Political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates
Politico
An elected representative who acts as a trustee or as a delegate, depending on the issue
Pork/programmatic requests
Legislation that allows representatives to bring home money and jobs to their districts in the form of public works programs, military bases, or other programs
Presiding officer of the Senate
Vice President
Reconciliation
Process to limit debates and threat of filibuster
Redistricting
Redrawing of congressional district boundaries by the party in power of the state legislature
Select/special committee
Temporary committee appointed for a specific purpose
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts
Speaker of the house
The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant
Special Interest Caucuses
Informal groups based on shared interest or common backgrounds
Standing committee
A permanent committee established in a legislature (the first and last place to which most bills go for consideration)
Trustee
A representative who should represent the entire nation, not just his district (uses own judgment)
Unified Government
Same political party controls presidency and Congress
War Powers Resolution
A law passed in 1973 that requires presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension
Wedge issues
A controversial issue that one party uses to split the voters in the other party
What abilities can the president have once receiving a bill?
Sign, veto, pocket veto
When does the house select a speaker?
At the beginning of each new Congress
Whips
Assistant to the floor leaders that ensures party discipline in the