Congress Flashcards
the structure of congress
- bicameral nature (2 houses)
House of Reps: - states’ representation is proportional to the populations
- directly elected (435 members)
Senate: - states represented equally, 2 reps per state
- directly elected (100 members) - before 1914, was appointed by legislature
the election cycle
- congressional elections every 2 years
- senators serve 6 year terms - 1/3 of senators up for re-election every 2 years
- midterm elections = congressional elections in between president’s term in office
- frequent midterm elections can change the overall control of congress (united or divided gov)
membership of congress
qualifications:
senate =
- min. 30 years old
- US citizen for min. 9 years
- key leadership roles: vice president, majority/minority leaders
the House =
- min. 25 years old
- US citizen for min. 7 years
- key leadership roles: the speaker, key majority/minority whips and leaders
- both must be residents in states they represent
concurrent powers
- creating legislation
- oversight of the executive branch
- overriding president’s veto
- initiating constitutional amendments
- declaring war
- confirming an appointed vice president
exclusive powers of the house of representatives
- beginning considerations of all money bills
- bringing charges of impeachment
- choosing the president if the electoral college is deadlocked
exclusive powers of the senate
- ratifying treaties
- confirming appointments
- trying cases of impeachment
- choosing the vice president is electoral college is deadlocked
example of legislation passed during the biden presidency
$19 Trillion American Rescue Plan
why can the senate be seen as more powerful and prestigious?
prestigious:
- fewer members (2 per state) - harder to be elected
- underrepresented states (larger states) represented equally as all states have 2 senators
- min age is 30 - more experienced?
powerful:
- power to trial president accused of impeachment
- power to confirm appointments to the judiciary and executive
