STUDY GUIDE: THE CONGRESS
AP Gov/Ms. Strong
Revised 1/27/17
Vocabulary - definitions and working knowledge of terms of Congress (Sabato Chapter 7)
Party polarization
Markup
Reapportionment
Open Rule
Casework
Pocket Veto
Standing Committees
Joint Resolution
Franking Privilege
Appropriations
Gerrymandering
Earmarks
Filibuster
Logrolling
Senate Hold
Seniority
Reconciliation
Discharge Petition
Majority minority districts
Senatorial Courtesy
Caucus
Cloture Rule
Trustee
Joint Committee
Delegate
Divided Government
Unified Government
Senate holds
Redistricting
Closed Rule
Bicameralism
Conference Committee
Select Committee
Concurrent Resolution
Pork Barrel Legislation
Bill
Ms. Strong’s Congress webpage: http://jstrongapgov.weebly.com/the-congress.html
Readings:
•
•
•
Sabato Ch. 7
Federalist 53,56,57,58,62,63
115th Congress will be most racially diverse in history
• New Congress, same massive gender disparity
• If, As Ralph Nader Says, Congress Is “the Broken Branch”….
1.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; how it relates to Congress today
2.
Impact of redistricting and apportionment on composition of Congress; role of state legislators in the process (gerrymandering); majorityminority districts; Supreme Court rulings and their effects on the process (Baker v. Carr, Wesberry v. Sanders, Shaw v. Reno Shelby County v.
Holder)
3.
How and why do incumbents win over 90% of Congressional elections; how does the incumbency advantage effect how Congress works (or
doesn’t) as well as the political process); safe seats v. marginal districts
4.
Demographic composition of Congress; typical biography of a member of Congress; why doesn’t Congress reflect the national population?
5.
Identify the constitutional powers of Congress, qualifications, Federalist 53,56,57,58,62,63 (Woll;) also, be able to discuss powers that ONLY
the House or the Senate has. Examples:
House: initiate revenue (tax bills); bring impeachment charges; choose President when Electoral College is deadlocked
Senate: treaty ratification; confirm presidential appointments; impeachment trials
6.
How members play both Delegate and Trustee role; internal and external influences on members (see What Members of Congress Do notes);
why Americans “love their Congressman” yet dislike Congress as a whole? (Richard Fenno’s article in Woll)
7.
Differences Between the House and Senate both Constitutional (ex: term length, powers, representation) as well as the rules of each chamber
(ex: Senate filibuster v. House limits on floor debate; House Rules committee (open rule/closed rule)
8.
Majority Party privileges/power in House and Senate; growing power and influence of caucuses
9.
Roles/Responsibilities, and Current Leaders of Major Officers in Congress:
a.
b.
House - Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Whip
Senate - Vice President, President Pro Tempore, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Whip
10. Identify and describe types and functions of legislative committees; importance of Committee assignments
11. Identify the function and purpose of key committees in each house:
a.
b.
Key House Committees: Appropriations, Rules, Ways and Means
Key Senate Committees: Appropriations, Finance, Armed Services, Judiciary
12. Legislative Process:
a. How a Bill Becomes Law – know all the steps in the process!!!
b. Role of Log rolling, Riders,“Pork Barrel Spending,” and Earmarks
13. Attempts to reform Congress like cloture rule in the Senate and discharge petition in the House.
14. Identify the causes of party polarization and describe its effects on Congress and the legislative process.