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Federalism/Congress Exam

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What is the continuity and change of congressional representation?
continuity- white, wealty men
change- women and minorities
Why did inauguration dates of Congress change from March to January?
to shorten the lame-duck period
Define gerrymandering. Define franking privilege.
gerrymandering- dividing a state into odd shaped districts for political advantage
franking privilege- right of Congress to send working-related mail without paying postage
When is an extraordinary majority used?
-remove the President
-expulsion
-override veto
-amend
Why was federalism created at the Constitutional Convenetion rather than confederation or unitary?
not confederation- Articles of Confederation failed
not unitary- states would lose powers; Great Britain; difficult to operate
What are two ways a bill can become a law without the President's signature?
-he doesn't do anything when he gets the bill
-Congress overrides the veto
What is the current majority party in Congress? Current minority party?
majority- democratic
minority- repuclican
Who has the constitutional power to declare war?
Congress
What is an exmaple of a implied power?
draft
Where are the enumerated powers of Congress located in the Constitution?
Article 1 Section 8
Where are the implied powers of Congress located in the Constitution?
Article 1 Section 8 Part 18
What is an example of a enumerated power?
power to declare war; tax
What is the difference between enumerated powers and implied powers?
enumerated powers are listed and implied powers are suggested
Define the Seniority system.
the chair of each committee is the longest-serving party member of the committee
What system is used to dtermeine the chairs of committees in Congress?
seniority system
What are the two unofficial requirements for members of Congress?
-wealthy
-business/law/governement experience
How does the represenation of women in Congress compare to the actual population of women?
lower/ under represented
Contrast a stanfin committee to a select committe. Give examples.
Standing- permanent (Agriculture; Educaiton; Enviroment)
Select- temporary (Y2K; Assasinations; Steriods in Baseball)
Where does a bill go after it is a first introduced into the House or Senate?
Standing committe based on subject
What is the purpose of a Conference Committee?
used to agree on the details fo the propased law
How many members are in the House? In the Senate? In Congress?
House of Represnetatives- 435
Senate- 100
Congress- 535
What is a special session of Congress?
called by the President to deal with an emergency situation
The positions of the Speaker of the House and committee chairs are held by members of the ___________ to pass laws.
majority
What type of majority is needed to pass laws?
simple majority
What is an example of a joint committee of Congress?
Cinference Committee
What is an example of a joint session of the Congress?
State of the Union Adress
What is the title and current came for the everyday leader of the Senate?
President Pro Tempore- Byrd
Federalism is a compromise between which two forms of governemnt?
Unitary and Confederation
When/where was federalism created?
The Constitutional Convention (1787)
List four areas the state governement handles under federalism.
-education
-death penalty
-crime
-speed limit
List four areas the national governement handles under federalism.
-import/export
-war
-foreign policy
-military
Under confederation, where is the ultimate power located?
states
Where are the reserved powers of the states located in the Constitution?
Amendment 10
Why is the Senate considered to have more prestige?
-higher requirement
-less people
-longer term limit
-remove the Presidnet
Which house of Congress is considered to have more prestige?
Senate
List three disadvantages to federalism.
-diversity can lead to differing levels of quality
-states and spoil national majority policies
-sheer number of elections discourages participation
List four advantages to fderalism.
-countries and delegate responsibilities
-lower levels can become focus of political disatisfaction
-state governement id a testing ground for new laws
-state government is a training ground for national leaders
Under a unitary system of government, where is the ultimate authority located?
national governement
Which house of Congress id the filibuster associated with? Why?
the Senate becuase the senate is smaller
Who is the Constitutional leader/President of the Senate? (title and name)
President of the Senate- Dick Cheney
What is the number for the current Congress?
110th
How often id the Congress given a number? Why?
every two years becuase the election of the House and the Senate
What is the title and current name for the overall leader of the House?
Speaker of the House- Nancy Pelosi
What and where is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
clause which requires each state to recognize the laws of other states (Article 4)
What and where is the Supremacy Clause?
clause which states that national law is higher authority than state law (Article 6)
Define federalism.
system of governement where power is divided and shared between national and state governements
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