You have 2 more days before the AP US Government and Politics Exam Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Do you know about…? reapportionment earmarks issue networks iron triangles the elastic clause Senatorial courtesy

Reapportionment According to Federal statute, there are 435 congressional districts that comprise the U.S. House of Representatives. After each census, the total population of the US is divided to determine the approximate number of people to be included in each congressional district. The 435 congressional districts of the U.S. House of Representatives are "apportioned" among the states under the U.S. Constitution and subsequent federal statutes. Each state is guaranteed at least one congressional district regardless of population and the remaining districts are allocated according to a complicated mathematical population formula that distributes the representation as evenly as possible among the states.

Earmarks Members of Congress use "earmarks" to provide federal funding to companies, projects, groups and organizations, often in their district. You can find the name of a congressional member to see whether they have received financial support from the interests for which he or she has sought federal earmarks.

Issue Networks Network that consists of people in interest groups, on congressional staffs, in bureaucratic agencies, in universities, and in the mass media who regularly debate an issue. Different than iron triangles which are alliances among bureaucrats, interest groups, and congressional subcommittee members and staff sometimes form to promote their common causes.

The Elastic Clause Also known as the “Necessary and Proper” clause a statement in the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Senatorial Courtesy Originally, "senatorial courtesy" referred to a tacit agreement among senators not to vote for any presidential nominee who is opposed by the senators from the nominee’s home state. a custom whereby presidential appointments are confirmed only if there is no objection to them by the senators from the appointee's state, especially from the senior senator of the president's party from that state.

Resolutions Simple Resolutions: Designated "S. Res.," simple resolutions are used to express nonbinding positions of the Senate or to deal with the Senate's internal affairs, such as the creation of a special committee. They do not require action by the House of Representatives. Joint Resolution: Designated "S. J. Res." and numbered consecutively upon introduction, with one exception it requires the approval of both chambers and is submitted (just as a bill) to the president for possible signature into law. The one exception is that joint resolutions are used to propose constitutional amendments. These resolutions require a two-thirds affirmative vote in each house but are not submitted to the president; they become effective when ratified by three-quarters of the States.

Resolutions Concurrent Resolution: Designated "S. Con. Res." and numbered consecutively upon introduction is generally employed to address the sentiments of both chambers, to deal with issues or matters affecting both houses, or to create a temporary joint committee. Concurrent resolutions are not submitted to the president and thus do not have the force of law. Simple Resolution: Designated "S. Res.," simple resolutions are used to express nonbinding positions of the Senate or to deal with the Senate's internal affairs, such as the creation of a special committee. They do not require action by the House of Representatives.

What can you explain? Electoral college Soft money De facto vs. du jure segregation The Bill of Rights The Constitution Divided government

Anti-federalism: view that supported stronger states’ rights and autonomy and opposed a strong central of federal government. Categorical grant: also called Conditional grants are grants, issued by the United States Congress, which may be spent only for narrowly defined purposes. Discharge petition: a means of bringing a bill out of committee and to the floor for consideration without a report from the committee by "discharging" the committee from further consideration of a bill or resolution.

Citizens United: is a conservative 501(c) (4), non-profit organization in the United States. It brought a U.S. Supreme Court case known as Citizens United v. FEC, which greatly loosened rules governing campaign finance. Linkage institutions: a structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority. These institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.