Seniority and congressional committee chairs - the chair schedules committee meetings;
determine the order which committee bills are considered, directs committees majority staff, can choose
to lead the debate when a bill goes to the floor.
cloture is a way of defeating a senate filibuster
defining characteristic of a social insurance program - people pay into it - workers comp and social
security are examples.
eligibility is restricted to individuals who paid special payroll taxes during their working years
Effect of applying the "closed rule" to a bill - is a procedural maneuver that prohibits any
amendments to bills up for a vote on the House floor, unless they are recommended by the committee
reporting the bill
Factors that determine the accomplishments of a president - 1. some are more effective leaders
than others
2. some have a better ability to communicate then others
3. the goals and political affiliation of congress has a lot to do with how effective they are, if congress
opposes what the president wants to do, it makes it very difficult to make changes
4. the stage of the term that the president is in also affects the ability to make changes and public
opinion of the changes that are taking place. for example, in the honeymoon stage (first few months of
office) people are more likely to like what the president is doing, this includes congress.
How and by whom legislative work of Congress is performed - Most of the legislative work of
Congress is performed by the standing committee and their subcommittees with jurisdiction over
particular policy areas
judicial activism - means judges actively interpret the constitution, statutes, and precedents with
consideration of fundamental principles and should stop elected representatives when they fail to act in
accordance with these principles.