Chapter 10- The Legislative Branch

Question 1

What is the legislative branch of the federal government called?

Answer 1

Congress

Question 2

2 Jobs of Congress?

Answer 2

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

2. They translate the will of the people into lw

Question 3

What are the 3 reasons for having Bicameral Legislature?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is a term of Congress?

Answer 4

Length of time an elected official serves

Question 5

What is a session?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is a recess?

Answer 6

To suspend business temporarily during a session

Question 7

What does it mean to adjourn?

Answer 7

To suspend business until the next session

Question 8

What is Sine adie?

Answer 8

Neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other

Question 9

What does prorogue mean?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Special session

Answer 10

When the president calls Congress together for an emergency meeting

Question 11

Why are special session rarely called?

Answer 11

Cause Congress meets year round

Question 12

What is the lower house called?

Answer 12

The House of representatives

Question 13

How many members are in the house?

Answer 13

435

Question 14

What is representation based on in the house?

Answer 14

State population

Question 15

How long are the terms of the House of Representatives?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Who do the House members represent ?

Answer 16

Their district only

Question 17

What are the 3 powers of the house?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is reapportionment?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What are congressional elections?

Answer 19

Tuesday following the first monday in November in even numbered years

Question 20

What are midterm elections?

Answer 20

Non presidential year elections

Question 21

Why does the party in power usually lose seats?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What is a voting block?

Answer 22

Represents about 740000 people

Question 23

Single member districts?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

At large districts?

Answer 24

7-representative chosen from the state as a whole

Question 25

District lines?

Answer 25

Drawn up by state legislatures of the party in power

Question 26

Gerrymandering?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

What are the two types of gerrymandering?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

What is the purpose of gerrymandering?

Answer 28

To lose as few districts as possible and stay in power

Question 29

What are the qualifications for the house members?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

What is the upper house known as?

Answer 30

The Senate

Question 31

How many members are un the senate?

Answer 31

100 members - 2 per states

Question 32

What are constituencies?

Answer 32

The people the senate represents (entire states)

Question 33

Who is the senate chosen?

Answer 33

Originally by the state legislatures | 17th amendment- now chosen by the people

Question 34

What are the terms of the senate?

Answer 34

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

Question 35

What is a continuous body?

Answer 35

All seats are never up for election at same time.

Question 36

Qualifications of a Senator

Answer 36

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

Question 37

What are the powers of the senate?

Answer 37

- hold impeachment trial - ratify treaties - confirms executive office appointments (judges, cabinet, etc.)

Question 38

5 major roles of a member of congress?

Answer 38

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

Question 39

What is the oversight function?

Answer 39

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

Question 40

What are the 2 major types of committees

Answer 40

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)

Question 41

What is a bill?

Answer 41

A proposed law

Question 42

What are the two types of bills?

Answer 42

Public bill- law involving everyone | Private bill- law involving a specific group

Question 43

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

Answer 43

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

Question 44

How does a bill become a law? 5 steps...

Answer 44

* 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

Question 45

About how many bills are introduced?

Answer 45

5000 | Very difficult process less than 4% (200) bills will become laws in any given term

Question 46

What is compensation?

Answer 46

Congress sets their own pay

Question 47

What is congress’ pay?

Answer 47

174,000 plus fringe benefits

Question 48

What are the 5 fringe benefits given to Congress?

Answer 48

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

Question 49

What are the three limits in Congressional pay raise?

Answer 49

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