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Government > Chapter 10- The Legislative Branch > Flashcards

Chapter 10- The Legislative Branch Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the legislative branch of the federal government called?

A

Congress

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2
Q

2 Jobs of Congress?

A
  1. Represent the people and do the day to day work

2. They translate the will of the people into lw

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3
Q

What are the 3 reasons for having Bicameral Legislature?

A
  1. Historical reason: british parliament had 2 houses
  2. Practical reason: settled conflict between small and large states
  3. Theoretical reason: check and balance each other
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4
Q

What is a term of Congress?

A

Length of time an elected official serves

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5
Q

What is a session?

A

One year time period during which Congress conducts its business (2 sessions per term)

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6
Q

What is a recess?

A

To suspend business temporarily during a session

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7
Q

What does it mean to adjourn?

A

To suspend business until the next session

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8
Q

What is Sine adie?

A

Neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other

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9
Q

What does prorogue mean?

A

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

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10
Q

Special session

A

When the president calls Congress together for an emergency meeting

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11
Q

Why are special session rarely called?

A

Cause Congress meets year round

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12
Q

What is the lower house called?

A

The House of representatives

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13
Q

How many members are in the house?

A

435

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14
Q

What is representation based on in the house?

A

State population

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15
Q

How long are the terms of the House of Representatives?

A

2 years (kept short so they will stay in contact with the people) no limit on how many terms they can serve

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16
Q

Who do the House members represent ?

A

Their district only

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17
Q

What are the 3 powers of the house?

A
  • to impeach the president
  • all tax bills start here- power of the purse
  • decide presidential election if there’s no clear winner.
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18
Q

What is reapportionment?

A

The seats of the house are redistributed every 10 years (1929)

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19
Q

What are congressional elections?

A

Tuesday following the first monday in November in even numbered years

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20
Q

What are midterm elections?

A

Non presidential year elections

21
Q

Why does the party in power usually lose seats?

A

The party in power is usually blamed for all the problems in the country

22
Q

What is a voting block?

A

Represents about 740000 people

23
Q

Single member districts?

A

Geographic district from which one representative is chosen from a field of candidates.

24
Q

At large districts?

A

7-representative chosen from the state as a whole

25
Q

District lines?

A

Drawn up by state legislatures of the party in power

26
Q

Gerrymandering?

A

Drawing up of district libes to the advantage of the party in power

27
Q

What are the two types of gerrymandering?

A
  1. Packing- concentrate the oppositions votes in as few districts as possible.
  2. Cracking- spread the oppositions voters out in as many districts as possible.
28
Q

What is the purpose of gerrymandering?

A

To lose as few districts as possible and stay in power

29
Q

What are the qualifications for the house members?

A
  1. Must be 25 years old
  2. Must have been a citizen-7 years
  3. Must be a resident of the states
30
Q

What is the upper house known as?

A

The Senate

31
Q

How many members are un the senate?

A

100 members - 2 per states

32
Q

What are constituencies?

A

The people the senate represents (entire states)

33
Q

Who is the senate chosen?

A

Originally by the state legislatures

17th amendment- now chosen by the people

34
Q

What are the terms of the senate?

A

6 years with no limit- focus on the big picture of the state

35
Q

What is a continuous body?

A

All seats are never up for election at same time.

36
Q

Qualifications of a Senator

A
  1. Must 30 years old
  2. Must be a citizen - 9 years
  3. Must live in the state
37
Q

What are the powers of the senate?

A
  • hold impeachment trial
  • ratify treaties
  • confirms executive office appointments (judges, cabinet, etc.)
38
Q

5 major roles of a member of congress?

A
  1. Legislator- make laws
  2. Representative-voice of the people
  3. Committee member- screen bills
  4. Servants to Constituents- provide help to the people
  5. Politicians- work for the government
39
Q

What is the oversight function?

A

Process through which congress checks to see if the executive branch is followings its policies/laws

40
Q

What are the 2 major types of committees

A
  1. Standing committees- permanent deal w subject matter such as education,finance, environment, agriculture, etc
  2. Special committees- temporary deal with investigations and presidential appointments (watergate, supreme court nominees)
41
Q

What is a bill?

A

A proposed law

42
Q

What are the two types of bills?

A

Public bill- law involving everyone

Private bill- law involving a specific group

43
Q

Where do ideas for bills come from? Who introduces them?

A
  1. Executive Branch
  2. People
  3. Special interest groups (industry, organizations,etc)
    Introduced by a congressmen
44
Q

How does a bill become a law? 5 steps…

A
  • must go through both houses
    1. Bill introduced by a congressmen
    2. Goes to committee for action (CRUCIAL)
  • most bills die here “pigeon holed”
    3. Goes to full house/senate-debate/vote
    4. Conference committee- iron it out
    5. President signs- becomes a law OR vetoes (reject)
  • extra step in the house+ house rules committee “traffic cop” screen bills
45
Q

About how many bills are introduced?

A

5000

Very difficult process less than 4% (200) bills will become laws in any given term

46
Q

What is compensation?

A

Congress sets their own pay

47
Q

What is congress’ pay?

A

174,000 plus fringe benefits

48
Q

What are the 5 fringe benefits given to Congress?

A
  1. Housing tax allowance
  2. Travel allowance
  3. Cheap health insurance
  4. Pension plan
  5. Free office and expenses for staff
49
Q

What are the three limits in Congressional pay raise?

A
  1. President’s veto
  2. Voter backlash-MOST IMPORTANT
  3. 27th amendment- does not take effect until the next term

Government (6 decks)

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