Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government
Unit 2 will make up 25-36% of the AP Exam weight.
2.1.A.1 Republicanism, the democratic principle that the will of the people is reflected in government debates and decisions by their representatives, is shown in the bicameral structure of Congress. The Senate is designed to represent states equally, while the House is designed to represent the population.
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i. Passing a federal budget, raising revenue by laying and collecting taxes, borrowing money, and coining money
ii. Declaring war and providing the funds necessary to maintain the armed forces iii. Determining the process for naturalization by which people can become citizens of the U.S. iv. Regulating interstate commerce v. Creating federal courts and their jurisdictions vi. Enacting legislation under the authority of the necessary and proper clause vii. Conducting oversight of the executive branch, including federal agencies in the bureaucracy |
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2.2.A.1 The structures and powers of the Senate and House are different by design. This difference directly affects the legislative process.
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i. In the House, the Speaker is elected by a majority of members and presides over the legislative work in the House. All revenue bills must originate in the House. Rules for debate in the House on a bill are established by the Rules Committee. The House can form a Committee of the Whole in order to expedite debate on bills. An individual representative in the House can file a discharge petition to have a bill brought to the floor for debate, but it is rarely done.
ii. In the Senate, bills are typically brought to the floor by unanimous consent, but a Senator may request a hold on a bill to prevent it from getting to the floor for a vote. During debate, a Senator can use the filibuster (a tactic to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill) or make a motion for cloture (a procedure to end a debate). iii. When a bill passed by both chambers on the same topic has variation in its wording, a conference committee meets to reconcile those differences. |
i. Mandatory spending is required by law for entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
ii. Discretionary spending is approved on an annual basis for defense spending, education, and infrastructure. As entitlement costs grow, discretionary spending opportunities will decrease unless tax revenues increase, or the budget deficit increases. |
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2.3.A.1 Congressional behavior and governing effectiveness are influenced by ideological divisions between political parties. Partisan voting (when members of Congress vote based on their political party affiliation) and polarization (when political attitudes move toward ideological extremes) can lead to gridlock (a situation in which no congressional action on legislation can be taken due to a lack of consensus).
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i. A representative who conceives of their role as a trustee will vote on issues based on their own knowledge and judgement.
ii. A representative acting as a delegate sees themselves as an agent of those who elected them and will vote on issues based on the interests of their constituents. iii. A politico uses a combination of these role conceptions. |
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2.4.A.1 Presidents use powers and perform functions of the office, with support from the Vice-President, Cabinet, and Executive Office of the President, to accomplish a policy agenda.
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i. Vetoes and pocket vetoes are formal powers that enable the president to check Congress, but vetoes can be overridden with a 2/3 vote while pocket vetoes cannot be overridden with a 2/3 vote.
ii. Foreign policy powers that influence relations with foreign nations are both formal (commander-in-chief and treaties) and informal (executive agreements). iii. Bargaining and persuasion are informal power that enables the president to secure congressional action. iv. Executive orders allow the president to manage the federal government and are implied by the president's vested executive power or by power delegated by Congress. v. Signing statements are informal powers that inform Congress and the public of the president’s interpretation of laws passed by Congress and signed by the president. |
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2.5.A.1 Senate confirmation is an important check on appointment powers but there can be potential for conflict based on who is chosen by the president for appointments, including:
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2.6.A.1 Federalist No. 70 offers justification for a single executive by arguing a strong executive is "essential to the protection of the country against foreign attacks, to the steady administration of the laws, to the protection of property, and to the security of liberty."
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CON-4.D.1 The impact of presidential communication has increased with advances in communication technology.
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CON-5.A.1 The foundation for powers of the judicial branch and the argument for how its independence checks the power of other branches is set forth in the following documents, respectively:
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Click here for a larger view of the cartoon.
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2.9.A.1 Stare decisis (the legal doctrine under which courts follow legal precedents when deciding cases with similar facts) plays an important role in judicial decision making.
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2.10.A.1 Life tenure for justices allows the court to function independent of the current political climate. As a result of this independence, the Court can deliver controversial or unpopular court decisions, which in turn can lead to debate about the court's power.
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2.11.A.1 Political discussion about the Supreme Court’s power is illustrated by the ongoing debate over differing interpretations of judicial review.
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2.11.B.1 Restrictions on the Supreme Court are represented by:
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2.12.A.1 The federal bureaucracy is composed of departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations that implement policy by:
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2.12.A.1 The federal bureaucracy uses discretionary power as delegated by Congress to interpret and implement policies. Through their rulemaking authority, federal bureaucratic agencies utilize their discretion to create and enforce regulations. Bureaucratic agencies include:
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2.14.A.1 Congressional oversight of the bureaucracy to ensure that legislation is implemented as intended includes:
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2.12.B.1 Presidential ideology, authority, and influence affect how executive branch agencies carry out the goals of the administration.
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2.15.A.1 Formal and informal powers of Congress, the president, and the courts over the bureaucracy are used to maintain its accountability.
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2.15.B.1 The allocation of powers among the three branches of government creates multiple access points for stakeholders and institutions to influence public policy.
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