Congress

Question 1

What is Article 1?

Answer 1

Establishes the Legislative Branch

Article 1 grants Congress various enumerated powers and the ability to pass laws.

Also establishes the procedure for passing a bill and places various limits on the powers of congress and the states.

Question 2

Explain the structure of The House and The Senate

Answer 2

Separate House and Senate.

House is composed of representatives who sit in congressional districts that are allocated to each 50 states on a basis of population as measured by the U.S. census.

Each state, regardless of its population size, is equally represented by 2 senators who serve staggered terms of six years.

Question 3

How does the Committee system work?

Answer 3

Committees handle specific duty. Members develop specialized knowledge of the matters.

Question 4

What is a Filibuster?

Answer 4

An action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.

Question 5

What is Cloture?

Answer 5

(in a legislative assembly) a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote

Question 6

Single-Member District

Answer 6

A single-member district or single-member constituency is an electoral district that returns one officeholder to a body with multiple members such as a legislature. This is also sometimes called single-winner voting or winner takes all

Question 7

Proportional Representation

Answer 7

An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.

Question 8

How does the political leadership of Congress work?

Answer 8

Senate: Floor leaders and Whips

floor leaders - The majority leader and minority leader are elected by their respective party conferences to serve as the chief Senate spokesmen for their parties and to manage and schedule the legislative and executive business of the Senate

whips - whips - Assistants to the floor leaders who are also elected by their party conferences. The majority and minority whips (and their assistants) are responsible for mobilizing votes within their parties on major issues

House: Unlike the Senate Majority Leader, the House Majority Leader’s duties and prominence vary depending upon the style and power of the Speaker of the House