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V405
Congress & The Legislative Process
48
Other
Undergraduate 4
11/26/2012

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Cards

Term
The respective roles between the congress and the president in putting the budget together....
Definition
Congress passes the budget. Prez is the chief budget maker, but Congress is the budget approver
Term
Who makes the budget and who approves the budgets..
Definition
Prez makes it. Congress approves it
Term
Who approves treaties?
Definition
Prez negotiates treaties but Senate ratifies or rejects them.
Term
How do Americans feel about the constitution?
Definition
They firmly support the structure, but are critical of the politics. Unshakeable faith in the Constitution, best system in the world.
Term
What is the role of the state of the union address?
Definition
outline the priorities for the coming year
Term
How do the founding fathers feel about ordinary citizens effectively expressing their views?
Definition
The founding fathers want all citizens’ views and opinions to be represented in Congress.
Term
What is title 9?
Definition
Requires women be given an equal opportunity to participate in all programs run by colleges and schools that receive funds.
Term
According to Lee Hamilton what are 2 of the federal governments greatest achievements
Definition
-Marshall Plan post-WWII, Equal Rights to Vote, maintaining Worlds greatest defense system, reducing disease, increasing stability of financial institutions, improving air & water quality, social security and medicare, protecting forests, space exploration, arms control, and U.S. goods to foreign markets.
Term
What are two primary responsibilities of member of congress
Definition
Passing and overseeing legislation and representing their constituents
Term
What is the significance of members backgrounds in their role in congress?
Definition
Equal rights among genders to participate in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Term
Do lobbyists and special interest group normally represent only one part of a controversial issue?
Definition
No because there is never just one side to an issue and there are always advocates for each side fighting for what they believe in
Term
Members of congress avoid acknowledging criticism and negative feedback due to such tactics interfering with their understanding of their constituents views.
Definition
False
Term
Do legislative proposals change dramatically upon the time of their legislative passage
Definition
True
Term
How important are good reputations regarding honesty to members of congress
Definition
It’s everything—all you have is your word!
Term
Is most legislation compromised or not compromised during the legislative process?
Definition
Most legislation is compromised during the legislative process
Term
During the latter 50 years, our federal government has been more divided between the two political parties and the executive branch and legislative branch of the federal government
Definition
TRUE
Term
What are the four cornerstones of active citizenship:
Definition
voting, keeping in touch with your representatives, being informed of public issues, and becoming involved in improving our own communities
Term
Does the constitution design make congress the most connected branch of government
Definition
It is the most represented body in government. Yes it is the most connected branch of government because it responds to needs and desires of the American people
Term
82% of the American public realize that voting in congressional and presidential elections is essential
Definition
True
Term
What is the fourth cornerstone of active citizenship?
Definition
becoming involved in improving our own communities
Term
Does the constitution design make congress the most connected branch of government
Definition
It is the most represented body in government. Yes it is the most connected branch of government because it responds to needs and desires of the American people.
Term
Lee Hamilton served 34 years in the U.S. House of Congress
Definition
True
Term
Legislation that declares someone guilty of a offense without a trial is known as what?
Definition
ex post facto laws
Term
What is the core principle of the United States Constitution?
Definition
Balancing powers in government by continually seeking a more perfect union.
Term
What are examples of public policies that congress has failed to address?
Definition
Health Insurance, Social Security Solvency, and Foreign energy dependence.
Term
What legislation helped confirm Yellowstone national park?
Definition
Yellowstone Park Act of 1872 (Senator Sam Clarke Pomeroy)
Term
According to Lee Hamilton why is it difficult to name the top 10 members of congress
Definition
people think they have limited impact on the lives of Americans and they don’t think of Congress members as being influential
Term
What is Hamilton say is one of the primary reasons it is difficult to pass legislation in congress
Definition
rising partisanship
Term
What are examples of ways congress affects our daily lives?
Definition
interstate highways, health care, education, bringing electricity to rural and metropolitan areas at an affordable price, workplace safety, drinking water
Term
What is political deadlock?
Definition
One example is Congress is led by one party and the White House is occupied by the other
Term
What describes the reformation of the congressional budget process in the 1970’s?
Definition
Before the ‘70s, Congress usually passed tax and spending measures without worrying much about their impact on the bottom line, now one of Congress’ most important powers is the ability to set spending and taxing policies of the nation.
Term
What is the most importance skill a member of congress should have?
Definition
finding acceptable solutions to our nation’s problems.
Term
What would the framers of the constitution be most surprised about the US senate?
Definition
the Senate was to be farther away from the population than the the House and now Senators are elected by the people ass well, making them more responsive to popular opinion.
Term
Since 1789 how many people have served in congress?
Definition
over 12,000 people
Term
In the last few decades what have been the major changes that have occurred in congress?
Definition
More bipartisanship, having a budget (until the 1970’s there was no budget approval)
Term
What is the positive approval rating of congress?
Definition
Between 30%-40%
Term
What is pork-barrel spending?
Definition
Spending on infrastructure like bridges, roads, canals, dams. Pork barrel projects are frequently inserted by powerful members in spending bills sneakily.
Term
What is the percentage of eligible voters who participate in nonpresidential election years.
Definition
35-40%
Term
Why are people dissuaded from voting?
Definition
They feel government isn’t very responsive anymore or they think their vote wont count.
Term
What percentage of voters participate in presidential year elections?
Definition
45-50%
Term
How do members of congress educate and inform constituents?
Definition
translating the work of Congress to constituents in an accessible, understandable way
Term
What is the constitutional obligation of citizens regarding their members of congress?
Definition
We have the responsibility and right as citizens in a representative democracy to actively participate in their governance.
Term
16. Does congress usually tackle the most difficult legislative issues first.
Definition
Congress often does not deal head-on with the biggest, most difficult problems facing our country. Instead, Congress puts off doing anything substantive to make speeches and waste time.
Term
According to Lee Hamilton, How important is disinterested attachment to the public good for the members of congress?
Definition
It is extremely important for them to be interested because they are responsible for making people’s lives better
Term
According to Lee Hamilton, Congress focuses more upon issues promoted by which group?
Definition
Lobbyist and Special Interest Groups
Term
Why is the organization “citizens against government waste” addressed in the book?
Definition
it was a group against pork barrel spending, he used it to prove that type of spending is good and efficient when used in the right way.
Term
Is there an unwritten first rule in the US House regarding the code of official conduct?
Definition
Yes; rule 1 of the house code of official conduct: the central responsibility of member is to conduct themselves “at all times in a manner which shall reflect credibility on the House of Representatives.”
Term
What influences the voting decisions of members of congress?
Definition
Constituents, special interest groups, lobbyist, catastrophes
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