AP Gov Unit 2: Branches of Government

Legislative Branch: Makes Laws (Article I)

Congress (Senate & House)

• House of Representatives

  • 435 members, apportioned by population (1 per district)
  • Represents the population of each state
  • 2-year terms, closer to the people
  • More members = more formal debate

• Senate

  • 6-year terms, 2 senators per state (100 total)
  • Based on equal representation

Structures, Powers, Functions

• House Leadership:

  • Led by the Speaker of the House and other members

• Senate Leadership:

  • Vice President = Senate President (ceremonial, breaks ties)
  • Majority and Minority leaders, Whips (collect votes)

• Committee Types:

  • Standing, Select, Conference Committees

• House Rules:

  • All bills must pass for debate rules
  • Closed Rule: More strict
  • Open Rule: Less strict

• Representation Models:

  • Delegate Model: Representatives act on constituents' wishes
  • Trustee Model: Representatives use their own judgement
  • Politico Model: Combines trustee and delegate models, follows constituents' will when vocal

Bill to Law Process

• Legislator introduces a bill
• Sent to committee & subcommittee (can be pigeonholed/die in committee)
• If passed, it goes to a conference committee
• President has 10 days to sign/veto (pocket veto applicable)

Federal Spending and Powers

• President = Commander in Chief, but Congress declares war
• War Powers Act: Requires President to notify Congress within 48 hours of troop deployment
• War funding comes from Congress
• Treaties are negotiated by the President but need Senate confirmation (2/3 majority)

Judicial Branch

• Judicial Review: Supreme Court can review and declare government actions unconstitutional
• Judiciary Act of 1789: Established the 3-level federal court system

Court System Levels

• District Courts: 94 in total, first level
• Circuit Courts of Appeals: 13 in total, second level
• Supreme Court: Highest court, reviews cases from state supreme courts and federal courts of appeal