Ch. 10

Question 1

Term

Answer 1

2 year period time in which Congress meets

Question 2

Session

Answer 2

time period during which, each year, Congress conducts business

Question 3

Convene

Answer 3

Come together for a meeting; January 3

Question 4

Adjourn

Answer 4

To suspend business until next session

Question 5

Recess

Answer 5

To suspend business temporarily during a session

Question 6

Prorogue

Answer 6

the president has the power to adjourn a session when the 2 houses can’t agree

Question 7

Sine die

Answer 7

neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other house

Question 8

Special Session

Answer 8

when the president calls Congress together for an emergency meeting
Rarely called anymore - why?
Congress meets almost year round!

Question 9

Apportion

Answer 9

distributing seats

Question 10

Reapportion

Answer 10

the seats are redistributed every 10 years (census)

Question 11

Off-year election

Answer 11

non presidential years

Question 12

Single-member district

Answer 12

geographic district has one person who represents them!

Question 13

District

Answer 13

Subdivision of a state
Voting block (represents about 700,000 people)
435 in the USA

Question 14

Gerrymander

Answer 14

the drawing up of district line to the advantage of the party in power

Question 15

Incumbent

Answer 15

Person who holds office

Question 16

Continuous body

Answer 16

governing unit whose seats are never all up for election at the same time

Question 17

Constituency

Answer 17

the people they represent

Question 18

Delegate

Answer 18

agents of the people

Question 19

Trustee

Answer 19

Merit; own conscience and judgment

Question 20

Partisan

Answer 20

party platform and the views of their party’s leaders

Question 21

Politico

Answer 21

balance own view of what is best for constituents and/or the nation, the political facts of life, and the peculiar pressures of the moment

Question 22

Oversight function

Answer 22

Review, monitoring, supervision of federal agencies

Question 23

Speech and Debate Clause

Answer 23

grants to senators and representatives immunity from arrest for any non-criminal offense. This allows Congress to debate matters freely, without fear of suits for libel or slander.

Question 24

3 Reasons why House of Representatives is Bicameral

Answer 24

Historical reason: British parliament had 2 houses
Practical reason: settled conflict between small and large states
Theoretical reason: Check & Balance each other

Question 25

3 unique powers of the House

Answer 25

Impeachment: (grand jury) see if enough evidence to go to trial
Decide presidential elections: if no majority in the Electoral College
Power of the Purse: all tax bills start here (spending)

Question 26

2 ways in which gerrymandering is done

Answer 26

???

Question 27

Qualifications of a House member

Answer 27

Must be 25 years old
Must have been a citizen- 7 years
Must live in the state

Question 28

Qualifications of a Senator

Answer 28

30 years old
Citizen of USA- 9 years
Live on the states

Question 29

5 major roles of a congressmen

Answer 29

1. Legislators- make law
2. Representatives- voice of people
3. Committee Members- take up bills (proposed laws)
4. Servants to Constituents- help people (provide services- example - getting passports)
5. Politicians- a person who governs

Question 30

3 limits on congressional pay

Answer 30

1. President’s veto
2. Voter backlash
3. 27th amendment (does not take effect until the next term)

Question 31

Bicameral

Answer 31

2 houses

Question 32

3 powers of Senate

Answer 32

Trial for impeachment
Ratify treaties
Confirmation (approve)- Cabinet, Judges, etc.