Chapter Study OutlineIntroduction Show
Established in Article I, the U.S. Congress is the Constitution’s “first branch” of government, being endowed with significant powers that make it both a prominent (formerly, the predominant) player in American national politics. Moreover, Congress is atypically strong, perhaps unique, among the world’s legislatures in terms of its ability. Possessing more than merely the power to legitimate or affirm policies made by the executive, Congress actually governs in the realms of domestic policy and, albeit to a lesser extent, foreign policy. Inasmuch as these are the formal and traditional powers of Congress, modern presidents are more powerful than were nineteenth-century presidents and have gained a great deal of power over domestic and foreign policy making that had belonged to Congress. As contemporary legislators struggle with presidents, Congress seeks both to represent important groups and forces in American society and to exercise its power to the extent possible given the current political context. 1. Representation How well do House members and senators represent their constituents? And, by extension, how well does Congress represent the American people?
2. Problems of Legislative Organization How might Congress be an example of the problems associated with achieving collective action? What are the basic problems associated with achieving cooperation in Congress?
3. The Organization of Congress What are the major elements of congressional organization and what are their sources of influence?
4. Rules of Lawmaking: How a Bill Becomes a Law How does the legislative process work? And how do the rules and procedures governing that process affect legislative outcomes?
5. How Congress Decides What political pressures influence how Congress makes policy decisions?
6. Beyond Legislation: Additional Congressional Powers Besides legislating, what else does Congress do to participate in American national government and the separation of powers?
7. Power and Representation Congress was designed to be the “first branch” and is unique among world legislatures in its potential for power, but its power has fluctuated over time. What determines the ebb and flow of congressional power throughout American political history?
What advantage does the majority party have in the House of Representatives?Majority party leaders in the House have important powers and prerogatives to effectively set the policy agenda and decide which proposals will receive floor consideration.
Does the House of Representatives approve presidential appointments?The Senate has the sole power to confirm those of the President's appointments that require consent, and to ratify treaties. There are, however, two exceptions to this rule: the House must also approve appointments to the Vice Presidency and any treaty that involves foreign trade.
How did the Constitution originally apportion House seats in Congress?— U.S. Constitution, Article I, section 2, clause 3
“Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.
Why does the President have an advantage over the legislative branch when they disagree quizlet?Why does the president have an advantage over the legislative branch when they disagree? The president is a unitary actor, while Congress is delayed and divided by collective action problems. action of the U.S. Supreme Court gradually over time.
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