Chapter 12 Notes

Purpose: To guide you in your chapter notes.

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Directions: Short answer questions should be a minimum of 5 sentences. Definitions should be accompanied by one sentence explain why the definition is significant to government. Chapter 12 Congress The Representatives and the Senators What is the main demographic background of those in Congress? How do you think this effects laws and politics in the U.S.? What should change about this, if anything? (at least 5 sentences) Congressional Elections What are three advantages of incumbency? Include the role of casework and pork barrel projects. What are two advantages of not being an incumbent? (at least 5 sentences) - Incumbents - Casework - Pork barrel How Congress is Organized to Make Policy What is the difference in the roles and responsibilities of the House and the Senate? What is the fuction of committees? Why are they helpful to the process of making a bill? What makes them powerful? (5-8 sentences) - House Rules Committee - Filibuster - Speaker of the House - Majority leader - Whips - Minority leader - Standing Committees - Standing Committees - Joint Committees - Conference Committees - Legislative Committees - Legislative Oversight - Senority System - Caucus The Congressional Process Summarize the way that a bill becomes a law. What is the role of the president? What is the role of partisanship (party affiliation)? What role do constituents (voters) have on the process of passing a bill? What role do lobbyist and interest groups play? (at least 7 sentences) - Bill Understanding Congress In what way is Congress undemocratic? How would Elite theorist answer this? How would hyperpluralist answer this? What are your thoughts about how Congress is run? (at least 5 sentences)

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