Chapter 5 - The Legislative Branh Flashcards
proportional representation
House members representing a particular piece of the population in their state.
apportionment
how the 435 House seats are divided among the states.
census
a counting of the number of people in an area, done every 10 years
gerrymandering
drawing up congressional district maps to favor one political party over another
17th Amendment
1913 Amendment that allowed for Senators to be elected by their state’s voters, not by the state legislatures.
caucus
a private meeting of a political party to decide on policy or choose their leaders
quorum
the required number of people needed for a meeting to do business
bill
a proposed new law
filibuster, Cloture Rule
Clotures limit a Senator to only talk 1 hour on a bill, which limits a filibuster. A filibuster is endless talking on a bill to stall the vote on it.
voice vote, standing vote, roll-call vote
voice votes are “ayes/nays” yelled out and estimated, standing votes require standing, and roll-call votes are written down so the public can be clear how each politician voted.
presidential veto
The President’s power to forbid a policy, even if the legislature wants to put it in place.
legislative veto
Congress’s power to forbid a policy, regardless of what the President wants
“necessary and proper” clause
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution which lays out the expressed and implied powers of Congress
impeachment
bringing a formal accusation against an official
Speaker of the House
The presiding officer of the House of Reps
president of the Senate
the Vice President of the United States. (so the VP serves under the executive branch AND provides over part of the legislative branch)
president pro tem
temporary president of the Senate when the VP isn’t available
whip
the assistant to the floor leader in the House or Senate, helping to communicate to/from party members
implied vs expressed powers
implied powers are not specifically stated in the Constitution while expressed powers ARE specifically stated in the Constitution
House of Representatives
The LOWER house of Congress with 435 representatives, 2-year terms, elections in even years, and meant to be the “People’s House”
Senate
The UPPER house of Congress; 100 Senators (2 per state for “equal representation”), 6-year terms, meant to reflect the States’ interests.
delegate
a representative who votes how his population back home (“constituents”) want him to
Congress
the legislative branch of our government, comprised of two parts
Although all members of Congress are congressmen/women, usually the term refers to which house members?
House of Representatives–NOT the Senators.
Similarities of both houses of Congress
both have elected members, work within political parties (Democrats/Republicans), have standing committees and make laws.
General Election Day
The Tuesday after the First Monday in November in even-numbered years
3 Qualifications of House of Rep members
25 yrs old minimum, been a citizen for 7 years at least, you are a resident of the state you are running to represent
3 Qualifications of Senators
30 yrs old minimum, been a citizen for 9 years at least, you are a resident of the state you are running to represent
