Unit 5 Ap Gov Review

Unit 5 AP Gov Review: Congress, the Legislative Branch, and Policymaking

This comprehensive review covers Unit 5 of the AP Government curriculum, focusing on Congress, the legislative branch, and its crucial role in American policymaking. We'll delve into the structure, powers, and processes of Congress, exploring how it interacts with the other branches of government and shapes public policy. This guide aims to provide a thorough understanding of the key concepts and terminology needed for success on the AP Government exam.

I. Introduction: Understanding the Legislative Branch

The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature, meaning it consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. This structure is a cornerstone of the American system of checks and balances, designed to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful. Understanding the distinct roles and powers of each chamber is vital for comprehending the legislative process. This unit will explore how Congress creates laws, its influence on the budget, and the various factors influencing its effectiveness. We will examine the impact of political parties, interest groups, and public opinion on legislative outcomes, ultimately understanding Congress's position as a vital component of American governance. Mastering this unit is crucial for success on the AP Government exam, as it often features heavily in multiple-choice questions and free-response essays.

II. The Structure and Powers of Congress:

• The House of Representatives: The House is comprised of 435 members, apportioned among the states based on population. Representatives serve two-year terms, making them more directly accountable to the electorate. Key powers of the House include:

  • Origination of revenue bills: All bills raising revenue must originate in the House.
  • Impeachment: The House has the sole power to impeach (bring charges against) the President, Vice President, or other federal officials.
  • Choosing the President in case of an electoral college tie: In the rare event of a tie in the Electoral College, the House elects the President.

• The Senate: The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state, serving six-year terms. This staggered system ensures greater stability and less susceptibility to short-term political swings. The Senate holds unique powers:

  • Confirmation of presidential appointments: The Senate confirms presidential appointments to key positions, including cabinet secretaries, federal judges, and ambassadors.
  • Ratification of treaties: The Senate ratifies treaties negotiated by the President, requiring a two-thirds vote.
  • Trial of impeachments: The Senate conducts the trial of any impeached official. A two-thirds vote is required for conviction.

III. The Legislative Process: From Bill to Law

The process of turning a bill into law is complex and often lengthy. It involves multiple steps in both the House and the Senate, and requires cooperation and compromise between members of both chambers and often, the executive branch.

1. Bill Introduction: A bill can be introduced by any member of Congress.
2. Committee Action: The bill is assigned to a relevant committee, where it may be studied, debated, amended, or even killed ("pigeonholed"). Committees play a crucial gatekeeping role, filtering the vast number of bills introduced each year. Subcommittees often do the initial work of reviewing bills.
3. Floor Action: If a committee approves a bill, it moves to the floor of the House or Senate for debate and amendment. In the House, debate is generally more structured and limited than in the Senate. The Senate, with its less restrictive rules, can experience filibusters, where a minority of senators can delay or block a vote by prolonging debate. Cloture is a procedure used to end a filibuster, requiring a supermajority vote (60 votes).
4. Reconciliation: If the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences. The compromised bill then goes back to both chambers for a final vote.
5. Presidential Action: If both chambers approve the bill, it is sent to the President. The President can either sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without signature after 10 days (excluding Sundays). A presidential veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

IV. The Influence of Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Public Opinion:

• Political Parties: Political parties play a significant role in shaping the legislative agenda and influencing the outcomes of votes. Party leadership in both the House and Senate exerts considerable influence over the legislative process, controlling committee assignments, scheduling votes, and guiding the party's legislative strategy. Party discipline – the extent to which party members vote along party lines – can vary but often significantly impacts the success or failure of legislation.

• Interest Groups: Interest groups actively lobby members of Congress, seeking to influence the passage or defeat of legislation that affects their interests. They use various tactics, such as campaign contributions, grassroots mobilization, and direct lobbying, to advance their agendas. The influence of interest groups is a subject of ongoing debate, with concerns raised about the potential for undue influence on the legislative process.

• Public Opinion: While public opinion may not always directly translate into legislative action, it can exert considerable pressure on members of Congress. Members are generally attentive to the views of their constituents, particularly when facing reelection. Public opinion polls and grassroots activism can shape the debate surrounding legislative proposals and influence voting decisions.

V. Congressional Oversight and Investigations:

Congress plays a crucial role in overseeing the executive branch and holding it accountable. This involves several key functions:

• Committee Hearings and Investigations: Congressional committees hold hearings and conduct investigations to monitor the activities of government agencies and ensure that they are acting in accordance with the law. These hearings can bring to light waste, fraud, and abuse of power.

• Budgetary Power: Congress’s power of the purse – its authority over federal spending – provides a critical mechanism for oversight. By controlling the budget, Congress can influence the activities of executive branch agencies and ensure that funds are used appropriately.

• Impeachment: The power of impeachment allows Congress to hold high-ranking officials accountable for misconduct. This process, though rare, highlights Congress's role in maintaining the integrity of the government.

VI. Factors Affecting Congressional Effectiveness:

Several factors can influence the effectiveness of Congress in fulfilling its responsibilities:

• Partisanship: Increasing political polarization has made it more difficult for Congress to reach bipartisan consensus and pass legislation.

• Gridlock: Frequent disagreements between the executive and legislative branches, as well as within Congress itself, can lead to gridlock, preventing the passage of important legislation.

• Gerrymandering: The practice of manipulating district boundaries to favor a particular party can lead to a less representative Congress and make it more difficult to pass legislation that reflects the interests of the broader population.

• Campaign Finance: The role of money in politics can influence legislative outcomes, raising concerns about the potential for undue influence by wealthy donors and special interests.

• Public Approval: Low public approval ratings for Congress can erode its legitimacy and make it more difficult to enact policy changes.

VII. Key Terms and Concepts:

• Bicameralsm: The division of a legislature into two separate chambers.
• Checks and Balances: A system of government where different branches have powers to limit or check the actions of other branches.
• Gerrymandering: Manipulating district boundaries to favor a particular political party.
• Filibuster: A tactic used by senators to delay or block a vote on a bill by prolonging debate.
• Cloture: A procedure used to end a filibuster.
• Committee System: The network of committees in Congress that play a critical role in the legislative process.
• Pork-barrel legislation: Government spending on projects that benefit a specific lawmaker's district or state.
• Logrolling: An exchange of support between lawmakers, often to pass legislation that benefits each other's constituencies.
• Incumbency Advantage: The advantage that an incumbent (current officeholder) has in an election.
• Electoral College: The system used to elect the President of the United States.
• Veto: The power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress.
• Override: The power of Congress to overturn a presidential veto.
• Impeachment: The process of bringing charges against a government official.
• Constituents: The people who live in a specific geographic area represented by a member of Congress.

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

• Q: What is the difference between the House and the Senate?

  • A: The House is larger, with members apportioned by population, and has shorter terms (2 years). The Senate is smaller, with two members per state, and has longer terms (6 years). They have different powers, including the House's power to originate revenue bills and the Senate's power to confirm presidential appointments and ratify treaties.

• Q: What is a filibuster?

  • A: A filibuster is a tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by prolonging debate. It requires a cloture vote (60 votes) to end.

• Q: How does a bill become a law?

  • A: A bill must pass both the House and the Senate in identical form and then be signed by the President or allowed to become law without signature after 10 days.

• Q: What is the role of committees in Congress?

  • A: Committees play a crucial role in the legislative process. They conduct hearings, debate, and amend bills before they reach the floor of the House or Senate. They are also involved in oversight of the executive branch.

• Q: What is gerrymandering?

  • A: Gerrymandering is the manipulation of district boundaries to favor a particular political party. It can result in a less representative Congress.

IX. Conclusion:

Understanding the intricacies of Congress, the legislative branch, and its role in policymaking is fundamental to comprehending the American political system. This unit highlights the complexities of the legislative process, the influence of various actors, and the challenges faced by Congress in effectively representing the interests of the American people. By mastering the key concepts, terms, and processes discussed in this review, you'll be well-equipped to succeed on the AP Government exam and develop a deeper understanding of American governance. Remember to consult your textbook and class notes for further details and practice applying these concepts through practice questions and essays. Good luck with your studies!