1. Gov Review: Unit #4 In 10 Minutes!
Everything You Need To Know About Unit #4 In (Hopefully) 10 Minutes

2. Congress Special Powers?
Declare war, impeach (House), ratify treaties and appointments (Senate), franking privilege, override vetoes
Incumbency is a HUGE advantage in the House
Delegate view:
Representatives vote according to how most of constituents feel
Trustee View:
Representatives vote based on their own views

3. House Of Reps Revenue bills start in the House 2 Committees:
Ways and Means - taxation, tariffs, etc.
Rules - determines rules for bills
Closed - set time limits, no amendments
Open - looser time limits, amendments are allowed
Speaker of the House - chooses committee assignments - elected every 2 years

4. Senate VP serves as president of the Senate - can break a tie
Originally elected by state legislatures (17th amendment)
Finance Committee - similar to Ways and Means in House
Filibuster:
“Talk” a bill to death
Cloture Motion:
Ends a filibuster when 60 members vote

5. Congressional Committees
Members have a “wish list” of committees - appointed by high ranking members of both parties
Iowa representative would want to be on Agriculture Committee
Most members serve on two committees and two subcommittees
Standing Committees:
Permanent Committees
Subcommittees:
Members report to larger committees

6. The Presidency 22nd amendment - limits president to two terms
25th amendment - selection process for VP if there is a vacancy
Lame-duck period - period between election of new president and inauguration
Presidential Powers - Commander-in-Chief, Veto bills, issue Executive Orders, Chief Diplomat
Powers NOT given to president - line-item veto, declaring war, creating new cabinet position
Presidential Cabinet - advisers to president

7. The Executive Office
Consists primarily of: White House Staff, National Security Council, Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
White House Office - Chief of Staff, Press Secretary - do NOT require Senate approval
NSC - advise the president on military and foreign policy
Office of Management and Budget - prepares the president’s yearly budget
Biggest predictor for funding? Last years budget

8. Miscellaneous Presidential Terms
War Powers Act (1973) - passed over Nixon’s veto - sought to limit the president’s power to engage in military action
Enumerated Powers:
Powers specifically given to the president
Inherent Powers:
Not specifically mentioned in the Constitution
Executive Orders, declaring states of emergency

9. The Bureaucracy
Non-elected government officials that work for government agencies
Office of Personnel Management
Hires most federal workers
Civil Service exam - employees hired based on merit, not patronage
Part of the Iron-Triangle
Independent Regulatory Agencies
Regulate certain aspects of the economy
Federal Reserve Board, Securities and Exchange Commission

10. The Judicial Branch That’s my friend! Marbury v. Madison:
Established judicial review
Amicus Curiae - “friends of the court”
Interest groups can petition the Supreme Court about a case
Judges serve for life
Appointed by president, approved by Senate
District Courts - courts of original jurisdiction
Court of Appeals - can review cases from district courts
That’s my friend!

11. The Judicial Branch Supreme Court - last hope for appeal
Rule of judges agree? They’ll hear your case
Presidents pick justices that share similar views
We’ll hear your case!

12. Key Terms - Judicial Branch
Stare decisis - “let the decision stand - using president
Writs of Certiorari - Supreme Court reviews a case from a lower court
Original Intent - Looking at the Constitution based on the intent of the framers

13. Divided Government
When Congress (or one house at least) and the Executive Branches are controlled by different parties
Leads to difficulties in:
Passing laws
Confirming appointees

14. Quick Recap Powers of Congress and each house
Making a bill - role of committees, closed v. open, filibuster
Powers given to president and powers NOT given to president
Bureaucracy and the Iron Triangle
Why judges serve for life
Key terms - rule of 4, writs or certiorari, stare decisis
Divided government - how this can lead to issues

15. See You Back Here For Period #5 In 10 Minutes!
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Best of luck!