Chapter 5 Flashcards
People from a legislators district
Constituents
And oddly shaped district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group
Gerrymander
A population count taken every 10 years
Census
Party in which more than half the members belong in either the house or the Senate
Majority party
Party in which less than half the members belong in either the house or the Senate
Minority party
Years of service
Seniority
How long does a general term in Congress last
Two years
How many sessions are in each term of Congress
Two
How long does a session of Congress last
January to November/December
How many members are in the House of Representatives
435
How many members are in Senate
100
How long is a term for the House of Representatives
Two years
How long is a term for the Senate
Six years
How many members are in the House of Representatives per state
Depends on population
How many members are in the Senate for state
Two
Does the House of Representatives represent the state or the district
District
Does the Senate represent state or the district
State
The House of Representatives upper or lower house
Lower
Senate upper or lower house
Upper
Who is the leader of the House of Representatives and would take over the presidency is a president and vice president died or are removed
Speaker of the house
Who is the chairs person in the Senate
President pro temporary
Which committees are permanent and continue from session to session
Standing
Which committees do a special job for a limited period of time
Select
Which committees including members of both houses
Joint
Who are the two current centers of Alabama
Richard Shelby and Jeff sessions
Who is the house member that represents the district in which prattville is located
Martha Roby
Who is the current speaker of the house
Paul Ryan
Who is the current president pro tem poor
Oren Hatch
Powers given to Congress that are specifically written in the Constitution
Expressed powers
Three examples of expressed powers
Taxing, coin money, declare war, established laws of naturalization
Powers are not explicitly stated in the constitution
Implied powers
A clause that gives Congress the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its expressed powers/stretches congresses power’s
Elastic clause
What is another name for the elastic clause and what number is this cause
Necessary and proper clause, clause 18
To accuse officials of misconduct in office
Impeach
What’s to United States presidents have been impeached
Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton
Laws that make him act a crime after they are committed
Ex post facto laws
Three legislative powers of Congress
Tax and spend, regulate commerce, foreign relations and treaties
Examples of Nonlegislative powers of Congress
Approval and removal, oversight in investigation
Examples of special investigations that Congress has done
Watergate scandal, steroid usage in sports
Examples of interstate commerce
Air traffic, railroad, radio, TV, traffic, trucking
Three Limits to congresses power’s
May not pass laws that restrict freedom of speech/religion, may not favor one state over another, can’t pass laws that will hurt the legal rights of individuals
The privilege granted to Congress men and women to mail business related mail without postage
Franking privilege
People hired by private groups to influence government decision-makers
Lobbyist
The work that a lawmaker does to help constituents with a problem
Casework
Government projects in grants that primarily benefit the home district or state
Porkbarrel projects
Three major jobs of Congress
Make laws, do casework, help the district or state
Make laws
Congress makes laws by investigating, writing, and evaluating
Casework
Congress does casework to help citizens with federal government
Helps the district or state
Congress helps the district or state by bringing federal government projects to their district/state
How old do you have to be to become a member of the house
25
How old do you have to be to become a member of the Senate
30
How many years do you have to be a US citizen to become a member of the house
Seven
How many years do you have to be a US citizen to become a member of the Senate
Nine
How much do you congressman get paid
$174,000 per year
What occupation is the most common for Congressman
Lawyer
For benefits of Congress members
Free health and life care, free office space, free trips to and from home state, send job-related mail without paying postage
Library of Congress
Largest library in the world, hold at least one copy of every book in the US
Government accountability office
GAO
Looks into financial matters of Congress, studies problems in analyzes different actions that can be taken to adjust them
Congressional budget office
Helps members of Congress, provides information needed by Congress to develop the government’s budget
Concern individual places or people
Private bills
Apply to the entire nation and involves general matters such as taxation, civil rights, or terrorism
Public bills
Organizations made up of people with some common interest to try to influence government decisions
Special interest groups
Joint resolutions
Resolutions that pass both the House and the Senate
Talk a bill to death
Filibuster
Refused to sign a bill
Vito
Three main sources of ideas for bills
Private citizens, special interest groups, the president
Five actions that committees can take on a bill
Pass Bill, change the bill, replace the bill, pigeonhole the bill, Kill the bill
Completely unrelated amendment added to the bill
Riders
Voice vote
Where members say Aye or no
Standing vote
Member stand to be counted
Roll call vote
Members voice their votes in turn
Means two house legislature
bicameral
How read green eggs and ham?
Ted Cruz
