AP U.S. Government & Politics Unit 5: The Legislative Branch

Study Guide Overview

Institutions of National Government- 35-45% - The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power - Relationships among the four institutions and varying balances of power - Linkages between institutions and the following:

o public opinion and voters o interest groups o political parties o the media o state and local governments

Guiding questions 1. What powers does Congress possess, according to Article I of the Constitution? 2. How have congressional powers evolved over time, and what tools has Congress used to expand its power? 3. How is Congress organized, and how does this system impact its functions? 4. What is the relationship between Congress and the other branches of government, and how has the balance of power

shifted over the course of American history? 5. How does Congress interact with political parties, interest groups, the media, the federal bureaucracy, and state and

local governments (including redistricting)? 6. Assess the extent and means by which members of Congress serve their constituents. 7. What factors shape congressional elections?

Vocabulary

1. bill 2. bicameral legislature 3. casework

4. caucus (congressional) 5. cloture* 6. committee chair

7. conference committees 8. congressional redistricting* 9. delegate role of representation* (instructed

delegates p. 367) vs. trustee role of representation (p. 367)

10. filibuster 11. franking privilege* 12. gerrymandering* 13. House Rules committee 14. House Ways and Means Committee* 15. incumbent 16. joint committees

17. legislative oversight 18. logrolling* 19. majority leader 20. minority leader 21. politico role of representation (p. 380) 22. pork barrel 23. select committee 24. seniority system 25. Speaker of the House 26. standing committees vs. select committees 27. whips

*Vocabulary terms will be provided in notes

Readings from textbook Chapter 11

11/2 – pages 340-350 11/3 – pages 351-362 11/4 – pages 362-371 11/7 – no reading 11/8 – ELECTION DAY; Electoral Prediction Snapshot DUE 11/9 – no reading/study! 11/10 – Unit 5 Vocab Quiz 11/11-11/18 – Mock Congress Project 11/21-11/25 – THANKSGIVING BREAK 11/28–Unit 5 Exam