Cartogram

A map based on the the population, represents the population, based on a theme.

Incumbency Advantage

Re-election rate

House: 98%

Senate: 90%

Electing the same representation because of name recognition, networking (established)

-Turnonvers are due to retirements

Laws whose tangible benefits are targeted at a particular legislator's constituency

Refers to legislation that funds a special project for a particular locale, such as a new highway or a hospital

(re) Apportionment

A method of redrawing districts

Allocating seats every 10 years

Based on population

Seats fixedat 435 = "zero-sum" game (1 state wins, other loses)

A method of redrawing districts

Political process of redrawing districts

Majority party in state legislature controls process

Based on politics

A method of redrawing districts

Apportionment of voters to give an unfair advantage to one racial or ethnic group or political party

Senate:

-Majority Leader = Harry Reid

-Minority Leader = Mitch McConnell

House:

-Speaker of the House = Nancy Pelosi

-House Majority Leader = Steny Hoyer

-House Minority Leader = John Boehner

Second highest leader of the party

Elected as Democrats or Republicans are members

Meet periodicically to devise strategy

Principle of delegation (specialization)

35 permanent committees.

Benefits: 1) Allows for specialization

              2) System of rewards

Chairperson decided by majority party and seniority on a commitee

Standing v Select Committees

Standing Committee (most important)

-permanent

-propose and write legislation

Select Committee

-usually temporary

-highlight or investigate specific issues not within jurisdiction of existing committees

Politico

Representatives act as trustees or delegates depending on the issue

Attitudes towards Congress

People favor their own representatives more than Congress because:

1) identification

2) representatives are working for their district, not Congress

C.R.S.

Oversight and evaluating of Executive Branch

Research issues, gives info

G.A.O.

Oversight and evaluating of Executive Branch

Efficiency, decide if a program is working or not

Draft legislation: Anyone can do it, but must be a member of Congress. (Done by members of Congress, President, interest groups)

Submitted to the clerk by a member of Congress, only them. Clerk sends it to a (standing) committee

Standing Committee sends it to a subcommittee

-holds hearings

-amend as necessary

-bulk of the work happens here

Sent to full committee

-accept recommendations

-hold hearings, testimony

Committee "MARKUP"

-amend and rewrite bill

-when they make any changes to a bill

An amendment to a bill that deals with an issue unrelated to the content of the bill. Riders are permitted in the Senate, but not in the House

They set the rules

Time for debate and other rules

Closed rule is favored by bill supporters

Closed Rule- Limit/prohibit introduction of amendments during debates

Open Rule- Permits floor debate and addition of new amendments

1) Filibuster- Talking a bill to death, only happens in Senate, benefits the minority party, can talk about anything

Cloture- Stopping a filibuster (needs 60 members majority)

2) Unlimited amendments- (based on open rule), must vote on each amendment, override by unanimous consent

3) Secret holds- delaying a bill, don't know who's doing it

Presidential action, veto it by returning bill unsigned within 10 days.

Pocket veto, when Congress adjourns during 10-day period, bill dies after 10 days of inaction.

Congress can override veto with 2/3 majority in both Congress and House

The trading of votes between legislators so that each gets what he or she most wants.

Happens most at Committees.

Special Senate powers.

Approves treaties, require 2/3 majority.

Approves appointees, require simple majority

House votes to impeach, 50+1

Senate holds trial (serve as jury, makes the decision) Require 2/3 majority

Chief Justice presides over hearing

Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton

A law containing a provision that fixes a date on which a program will end unless the program's life is extended by Congress.

Helps prevent a program from outliving its usefulness.

Expressed Powers - Granted by the Constitution

Military Power (commander in chief)

Judicial Power (pardons)

Diplomatic Power (makes treaties)

Executive Power (appoint offices, execute laws)

Legislatvie Power (Propose legislation)

Commander-in-Chief

Highest ranking military authority

Head of intelligence network (CIA, NSA, FBI, NSC)

Congress declares war

Domestic military power

War Powers Resolution (1973)

-Struggle between President and Congress

Grant reprieves, pardons, amnesties

-At the individual level

-Or to entire groups (I.e. South)

"Head-of-State"

Make treaties

Executive agreements (to get around Congress)

-Must notify Congress

-President rename it as "national security memo" for secrecy

Recognize other countries

Faithfully execute all laws

Appoint, remove, supervise all executive officers

Appoint all federal judges (loyal to Pres.)

Executive Privilege = Claim that confidential communications should not be revealed without President's consent. (Nixon)

President can propose legislation

Agenda-setting:

1) State of the Union role

2) Set what to focus on, what to talk about ,etc

3) Approval-ratings can limit this strategy

Executive Orders:

1) A rule or regulation issued by President that is like formal legislation

Pocket Veto

Veto

Line-item veto for appropriations (denied by Congress, where President just crosses out law)

Powers claimed by President that are not expressed in Constitution but inferred from it

Bush used this power in:

Torture issues

Domestic surveillance without oversight

Limits president to 2 terms

Limits presidenital power

Line of succession:

1)Vice-President

2)Speaker of the House

3)President pro tem of the Senate

4)Secretary of State(Cabinet members)

5)Secretary of Treasury

6)Secretary of Defense

7)Attorney General

Powers not found in Constitution, but granted by Congressional statutes and resolution

-Homeland Security

-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Gives more powe to Executive Branch

Expanded powers

-Party leader

-Leader during international and domestic crises

Extended presidential campaigns

-Increased the promises which presidents make to voters

Symbolicaly represents the entire government

(i.e. Economic voting)

Contemporary presidency is very different from the ideal role set by the founders

Chief Justice- John G. Roberts (Conservative)

Conservative Justices:

1) Antonin Scalia

2) Clarence Thomas

3) Samuel Alito

Liberal Justices:

1) John Paul Stevens

2) David Souter

3) Ruth Bader Ginsburg

4) Stephen Breyer

Swing-Vote Justices:

1) Anthony Kennedy

No formal requirements

Have to be nominated by President and confirmed by the Senate

"Let the decision stand"

Doctrine of legal precedent

Justices try to follow this

Power to review and declare actiosn by President or Congress unconstitutional

Established with Marbury v Madison decision

Article 4 extends power to Supreme Court

(Supremacy Clause)- Gives the right to review cases

Hamdi v Rumsfeld (enemy combatant)

Enemy combatants entitled to legal counsel

Review of Congressional action (Line-item veto)

Court rejected line-item veto power

Review of state action

Brown v Board of Education

Griswold v Connectticut (abortion)

1) Must be a controversy

- cannot render advisory opinions

2) Must have standing

- Right to initiate a court case on the basis of having a substantial stake in the outcome

3) Must not be moot

- Disqualifies cases brought too late

- Facts canno be changed

Decision by at least 4 of 9 justices to review a decision from lower courts

Cert is not a matter or right, but granted for special and compelling reasons

-Maybe decisions of lower courts conflicting

-Lower courts deviated from law