Congress Flashcards
What’s the senate?
The upper house of congress, consisting of two representators from each state.
What’s the House of Representatives?
The lower house of congress, consisting of a different number of representators from each state.
What’s the census?
A population count taken by the census bureau.
What’s a constituent?
A person from a legislators district.
How many representatives are there?
435.
Who’s the head of house?
Speaker of the house.
What does the speaker of the house do?
- decides the comittees each member will serve on
* decides the order in which the bills will be heard
What do both houses have to do?
They must keep a journal (called a congressional record), must hold sessions at the same time (Jan. 3), must have a quorum to do business.
What are the requirements of the House of Representatives?
Term: 2 years
•Must be 25 years old
•must be a citizen for 7 years
What does the House of Representatives do?
- all money or bills start here
- picks president in electoral college tie
- writes the article of impeachment.
What are the qualifications of Senate?
Term: 6 years Qualifications: •30 years old or + • 9 years a citizen of US •resident of the represented state
How many senators are there?
100.
What’s the head of the senate?
Vice President.
What’s reprehend?
Punishment.
What’s immunity?
Can’t punish you for small crimes if your in senate.
What’s seniority?
Years of service.
What’s the difference between expressed and implied powers?
Expressed- specifically in the constitution
Implied- suggested but not specific
What’s the non legislative power?
Any responsibilities not related to lawmaking.
What’s impeach?
To accuse gov.officials of misconduct in office.
What’s writ of habeas corpus?
A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding a person.
•must show cause for holding a suspect expect in wartime.
What’s martial law?
Military has right to take over a city if president allows.
What’s bill of attainder?
Illegal to say you can’t be a certain person.
What’s lobbyists?
A professional mind changer.
What’s a special interest group?
Defends an idea.
How does a bill turn into a law?
Step 1: idea
Step 2: sent to a congress
Step 3: sent to a standing committee
Step 4: those that hold merit are sent to a subcommittee research
Step 5: subcommittee report to standing committee who will decide what to do with the law
Step 6: consideration
Step 7: people vote
How much does each congressman earn a year?
$147,000,000
What’s a fillabuster?
Someone that talks about what there against for as long as they can to try to get the law killed.
What’s gerrymander?
When congress change there districts map.
Why do political parties gerrymander?
To keep themselves/districts happy.
What’s the elastic clause?
US constitution grants congress to pass all laws that are necessary and proper.
What’s pork-barrel projects?
Gov. projects grant that primarily benefits a congressman’s home district or state.
