Congress Flashcards
How many people are there in a congressional district?
Approx. 750k
How large is Congress?
535
How large is the senate?
100
How large is The House
435
How often are members of those bodies elected?
House: every 2 years
Senate: 1/3 of the seats every 6 years
What is a filibuster?
A very long speech that prevents action from being taken on a bill.
What is a cloture?
A procedure to bring a filibuster to an end.
How is a veto overturned?
2/3 of The House and Senate must pass the bill again.
Do most bill become laws?
No. Only about 10-20% of bills passed in a year become laws.
What is a voice vote?
People verbally say “aye” (yes) or no to vote on something quickly.
How are tie votes decided in the Senate?
VPOTUS votes to break the tie.
What does the whip do?
Ensures party discipline.
What are the differences between the Senate and the US House of Representatives?
House: Larger with shorter terms
Senate: Smaller with longer terms
How much do people in congress get paid?
Base salary is 175,000
Who introduces legislation?
Members of Congress
What are all the steps before a bill becomes a law?
Introduction, Committee Review, Floor Debate, Voting, Conference Committee (if needed), Presidential Approval,
Where do budget measures start?
In the House of Representatives
Where do impeachment proceedings start?
In the House of Representatives
Who are Maryland’s US Senators?
Chris Van Hollen (D.) and Ben Cardin (D.)
Who represents Hagerstown (Washington County) in the US House of Representatives?
David Trone
