Article 1 Flashcards
What does it mean to be a bicameral legislature?
To have two legislative houses.
What are the upper and lower houses of Congress?
The upper house is the Senate and the lower house is the House of Representatives.
What are the 8 shared powers of Congress?
Making/passing laws, regulating trade with other countries, raising an army, declaring war, establishing post offices, proposing amendments, making coin money, spending money.
How many members are in the US Senate?
There are 100 members, 2 from each state.
What are the qualifications for being a US Senator?
Must be at least 30 years old, been a US citizen for 9 years, and must live in the state represented in the Senate. US Senators serve a 6 year term.
What are the exclusive powers of the US Senate?
They must approve presidential treaties (check executive), can approve or reject presidential appointments (check executive), tries any impeachment (check executive and judicial).
Who are the two US Senators from Illinois?
Richard Durbin and Mark Kirk.
Who is the President of the Senate?
Joseph Biden, a Democrat.
Who is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate?
Orrin Hatch, a Republican.
How many members are there in the US House of Representatives?
There are 435 members.
What are the qualifications for US Representative?
You must be the following: at least 25 years old, been a US citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the state represented. They serve a 2 year term, the number of representatives per state is selected based on population. There is a minimum of 1 representative per state.
What are 3 exclusive powers of the US House of Representatives?
It is the only house: that creates bills and raises money through taxes (revenue bills), that can start the impeachment process, and elects the president in case of a tie in the electoral college.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
Paul Ryan, a Republican, from Wisconsin.
What is the elastic clause?
A clause that allows the powers of the Congress to expand.
What are 3 ways that Congress can limit the actions of the other 2 branches?
Congress may override a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote in bothe houses of Convress, Congress can limit government spending, and Congress may impeach officials in the Executive and Judicial Branches.
