Notes Guide: Chapter 12 Congress Pages 363-367 What do members of Congress do as part of their daily work?

What benefits do members of Congress receive as part of their jobs? What is descriptive representation? Why can members of Congress not claim descriptive representation of their constituents? What are some examples of substantive representation? Why arent there more women in Congress? Pages 367-374 How does being an incumbent help a member of Congress win reelection? Describe 5 specific advantages incumbents have over challengers. What is the role of party identification in voting? What are 3 circumstances in which incumbents are likely to lose reelection? How does money help a candidate win? Describe advantages and disadvantages to the fact that incumbents usually win. Pages 374-378 Compare the organization and structure of the House to the Senate. Review the table 12.2. Explain the impact of the filibuster on illegal. Identify the leadership positions in Congress. Describe the powers of the leaders in Congress. What is the major difference between the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority leader in terms of their control over the others? Describe the limits on the leaders ability to control the rest of Congress. What is the relationship between strong party leadership in Congress and the results of elections Pages 378-385 Compare the different types of committees in Congress, and explain their purposes. What are the oversight functions of committees? What are the powers and influence of committee chairs? What is the seniority system? How does seniority impact committees? How are members assigned to committees? Define and explain the significance of congressional caucuses. Explain the role of a congressional staffer. Describe the importance of committee staff to the lawmaking process. Compare the purposes of the Government Accountability Office, Congressional Budget Office, and Congressional Research Service Pages 385-391 Describe the legislative process. What is the difference between the regular lawmaking and unorthodox lawmaking? What is the role of the House Rules Committee? What is omnibus legislation? Why do leaders use omnibus legislation? How are presidents most successful in working with Congress? Explain how party, ideology and constituency each influence the way a member of Congress votes Pages 391-394 Describe the ways Congress is representative and the ways it is not. Describe the influence of lobbyists and interest groups on the lawmaking process. Identify the reforms and ethics rules Congress has placed on itself to limit the influence of lobbyists.

Notes Guide: Chapter 13 The President Pages 399-408 Describe the presidents constitutional powers and explain how those powers have been expanded. Summarize the conflicting perspectives on the how strong the President should be. Why is the power to persuade so important to the president? How does the limit of two terms impact the Presidents power? Define executive order and explain how executive orders enhance presidential strength. Define impeachment Pages 408-415 Define the presidents power as chief executive. Describe the role of the vice-president. What is the Cabinet? What is the Executive Office? Compare the jobs of the National Security Council, Council of Economic Advisors, Office of Management and Budget. Explain how the jobs of the White House staff differ from that of the Cabinet and Executive Office Pages 415-422 Describe how the president uses his power as chief legislator. Why is the threat of a veto more effective than a veto in helping the President to achieve his/her goals? What is the difference between a pocket veto and a regular veto? Why is the line item veto unconstitutional? Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the presidents power as party leader. How does the president influence elections? What are coattails? Why do presidents lose power in midterm elections? Explain why the president needs public support to be successful in dealing with Congress. What are examples of legislative skills? How can the President reward or punish partisans? Pages 422-427 Describe the presidents power as chief diplomat. What is an executive agreement? How is an executive agreement different than a treaty? Describe the presidents role as commander in chief. Explain the tension between the president and Congress over the scope of this power. What are the provisions of the War Powers Resolution? What is a legislative veto and why might it be unconstitutional? How can the presidents response to crises can either enhance or weaken his power. Describe the relationship between the president and Congress over national security policy Pages 427-432 Describe how the president tries to develop a positive public image. Explain why presidential approval ratings are so important. Identify factors that lead to changes in presidential approval ratings, both positive and negative. What is the bully pulpit? Describe the limits on the presidents ability to persuade voters through speeches and efforts to mobilize the public Pages 432-436 How does the White House try to control the flow of information to the press. What is the focus of most of the press coverage of the President?