Congress Quiz Flashcards
What are the special powers of the House of Representatives?
- All money bills (appropriations)
- Select the President if no one gets 51% of the electoral votes
- Investigate and write article for impeachment of high ranking officials
What are the special powers of the Senate?
- Approve all treaties
- Approve all appointments (Federal judges, ambassadors, etc.)
- Select the Vice President if no one gets 51% of the electoral votes
- Acts as the jury in trials of impeachment
What is the salary of Congress member?
$174,000
What are some privileges and compensation of Congress members?
- Franking privilege - free postage on all mail to constituents = people that vote for you
- Cannot be arrested for minor offenses while Congress is in session
- May not hold another political office at the same time
- Salary - $174,000
- Tax break on second home (near Washington DC)
- Cannot be sued for anything they say or write while carrying out their duties
- Medical and dental benefits
- Free office, parking and trips to home state
- Money to hire staff
What are some powers of Congress?
- Raise and collect taxes (House of Rep.)
- Coin money ( House of Rep.)
- Declare war (Senate)
- Punish pirates( Senate)
- Borrow money
- Regulate commerce
- Set laws for naturalization and bankruptcy
- Punish conterfeiting
- Post office
- Copyrights and patents
- Set up courts
- Establish military and National guard
- Make rules and allot funds for the millitary
- Run Washington DC and all federal property
- Elastic clause
What is the Elastic Clause?
The necessary and proper clause gives Congress the power to make laws “necessary and proper” to carry out delegated duties
FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE
What is the Writ of Habeas Corpus?
Cannot be held in jail without cause
What is Ex Post Facto Law?
A law that makes illegal an act that was legal when committed
What powers are denied Congress?
- Congress cannot make laws concerning slave trade until 1808.
- Cannot suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus.
- No Ex Post Facto law
- No titles of nobility
- No direct tax
- All states must be treated the same
- Congress must approve all bills and expenses of the President through laws
What powers are denied to the States?
- Cannot make treaties
- Cannot pass anymlaws that the Federal government is not allowed to pass
- Cannot coin money
- No Ex Post Facto Law
- Cannot suspend the Writ of Haveas Corpus
- No titles of novility
What is whip?
An officer position in both the Senate and House of Rep.
Purpose is to make sure how members of their political party are voting and to make sure they vote on a bill.
What is a person who is already in office and trying to be re-elected called?
Incumbent
What is the person running against an incumbent called?
Challenger
Who is the Speaker of the House?
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Who is the Minority Leader of the House?
Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
