Congress Flashcards
What does the constitution say about the legislature?
All legislative powers should be vested in a congress, congress has the power to overturn a presidential veto.
What does the constitution say about representation?
Need for congressional elections - Article 1.
What does the constitution say about constitutional amendments?
Congress shares this role with individual states, amendments to the constitution requires a 2/3 vote in each chamber of congress.
What does the constitution say about declaring war?
Congress has the power to initiate military action, complicated by the fact that constitutionally, the president can claim this power.
What is the structure of congress?
Bicameral, equal representation in senate, proportional in house.
What is the membership of the house?
Lower house, 435 members, represent a district, two year terms, at least 25 years old, resident of state.
What is the membership of the senate?
Upper house, 100 members, represent entire state, six year terms, at least 30, resident of state they represent.
What was the seventeenth amendment?
Meant both houses were elected, not just the house.
What are the senate statistics?
Republican - 49. Democrat - 47. Independent - 4. Majority - 51.
What are the House Statistics?
Republican - 218. Democrat - 213. Vacant - 4. Majority - 218.
Who is the president of the Senate?
Kamala Harris.
Who is the majority leader?
Chuck Schumer.
Who is the speaker of the house?
Mike Johnson.
Who is the minority leader?
Hakeem Jeffries.
What is a congressional District?
A geographic subdivision of a state represented by a member of the house.
What is the historical representation of gender in congress?
393 women have served in congress - 3.2%.
What is the historical representation of race in congress?
Number of non white members has grown in every congress - 63 in 01-03. 133 - 23-25.
What is the historical representation of religion in congress?
1979-1980 - 91% of members were Christian, 88% now.
What % of congress have no religion, compared to the population?
0.2, 23% of population.
What % of congress are women, compared to the population?
27%, 51% of the population.
What has happened to the number of non white women in congress?
It has grown in every congress.
What % of population is black, compared to congress?
13% of population, 13% of house.
What % of the population is Latino, compared to congress?
18.7%, 12.87% of the house.
What are the legislative powers of congress?
Ratifying treaties, overseeing executive branch, confirming appointments, impeaching public officials, declaring war, confirming an appointed VP.
What are the joint powers of both houses of congress?
Law making, overseeing executive branch, overriding president’s veto, initiating constitutional amendments, impeaching public officials, confirming a vice president, declaring war.
What are the powers of the senate only?
Confirming appointments, cabinet members, supreme court appointments, ratifying treaties.
What are the powers of the house?
Beginning of consideration of money bills, shutdown government if congress doesn’t approve budget.
What is ratifying a treaty?
Creating legislation, both houses approve a bill, after a bill is through both houses, president signs, or vetoes.
How does congress oversee the executive branch?
Decides whether to amend or abandon a bill, congress can override a veto, if they have a 2/3 majority.
How does congress confirm appointments?
Senate confirmation is required for presidential appointments, presidential appointments to the executive branch.
How does congress impeach public officials?
Only house can impeach a public official, simple majority is needed, senate can only try impeachments.
How does congress declare war?
Both houses must vote for a declaration of war, power to declare war hasn’t been used since 1941.
How does congress confirm an appointed VP?
Power hasn’t needed to be used since 1824.
Why is the senate more prestigious than the house?
Senators represent states, senators serve 6 year terms, senators are one of 100, senators are more likely to chair a committee, senate is seen as a recruiting pool for presidential candidates.
Why is the senate not as prestigious as the house?
Both houses have amendment power in the passing of legislation, congress must approve the initiation of constitutional amendments, house has conduct oversight of the executive branch.
What are the six stages of congress’ legislative process?
Introduction, committee stage, timetabling, floor debate, vote on passage of bill, conference committee, presidential action.
How can stage 5 be avoided?
If the bill doesn’t relieve amendments from the house or senate.
How is a bill introduced in the house?
A copy of the bill is placed on the clerk’s desk.
How is a bill introduced in the senate?
Title of the bill is read out on the senate floor.
What are the types of congressional committees?
Standing committees, House rules committees, conference committees, select committees.
What is the role of standing committees?
Legislation, scrutiny of the executive branch, begin confirmation of appointments.
What is the role of the house rules committee?
Timetable legislation in the house.
What is the role of conference committees?
Reconciling differences in legislation.
What is the role of select committees?
Special investigative committees.