Government test 4 Flashcards
an extraordinary session of congress called to deal with an emergency situation
special session
the review by legislative committees of the politics and programs of the executive branch
oversight function
proposed bill presented by the legislators for consideration
bill
the process by which proposed laws considered and acted upon by the full membership of the House or Senate
floor consideration
the people and interests that an elected official represents
constituencies
election of an office-holder by the voters of the country (state or country) rather than by voters in districts or subdivisions
at-large
the drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage to the party in power
gerrymandered
a congressional election that occurs between presidential elections
off-year elections
exclusive power of congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade
commerce power
a charge levied by government on persons property to raise money to meet public needs
tax
the power of a government to take private property for public use
eminent domain
a license issued to an inventor granting the exclusive right to manufacture, use, or sell invention for a limited period of time
patent
the legal proceedings by which a person’s assets are distributed among those to whom the person owes debts
bankruptcy
general agreement among members of a group
consensus
a court order for a person to appear and produce documents or other requested materials to the court
subpoenas
the act of lying under oath
perjury
an unwritten rule in the both houses reserving top posts (especially committee chairs) to the longest serving members
seniority rule
a closed meeting of the party in each house, aka the party conference
party caucus
a measure relating to the business in either house, does not have the force of law and does not require a presidental signature
resolution
an unpopular prevision added to an important bill hoping it will ride through legislative process
rider
this is used by members of Congress to force a bill out of committee if its been in committee for 30 days
discharge petition
what are the 5 duties of a congressmen?
legislature, representative, committee members, servants, politicians
voting for the people at home
delegate
vote based on their own knowledge and conscience
trustee
party pleaser
partisan
blend of delegate, trustee, and partisan
politico
what is the main difference between a session and a term?
term- is the time between elections
session- is when congress is supposed to conduct business
when does a term of Congress begin?
Jan 3rd of odd years
why have Special Session became obsolete?
congress is in session year round
other than salary, name 2 other forms of compensation a congressman receives?
tax deduction for housing, travel allowance, life & house insurance
name two things the Reapportionment Act of 1929 did:
set the size of the house, after a census determine the number of seats each state should have
why must the seats in the House be reapportioned?
population changes
what were the two requirements of the District Plan law?
districts have to have equal representation
each state has responsibility for drawing congressional districts within there state
when is Federal Election day?
on tuesday following the first monday of November, even years
what are the constitutional requirements to be a member of the House of Reps?
25 years, citizenship of 7 years, resident where you are being elected
what are the constitutional requirements to be a member of the senate?
30 years, citizenship of 9 years, resident where you are being elected
what does it mean to say that the Senate is a continuous body?
only 1/3 of the seats are up every election year
list the 3 “delegated powers” of congress
expressed, inherit, and implied
what is deficit financing? where does it come from?
spend more than you collect, borrowing power
give 2 limits placed on the Commerce Power of congress
con’t tax exports, can favor one port of a state over another
what powers were given to congress under their “judicial powers”
to create federal courts, determine federal crimes
describe how the President and Congress share powers in regard to war and nations defense
president is the chief commander of military
congress can only declare war
where does congress get its implied powers?
necessary and proper clauses
the use of implied powers by congress has led to a _______ interpretation of the constitution
broad
what powers of congress are best exemplified by the broad interpretation of the Constitution
commerce, war, tax & spend
why does Congress possess the power of oversight
gather information, oversee the executive branch
does impeachment mean removal from office, if not what does it mean?
no, removal of office if convicted of a crime by senate
what is usually mentioned in the “state of the Union address”
policies president wants to see pass, state of our economy
who is the presiding officer in the House? in the Senate?
speaker of the house, President of the Senate, president Pro temp
what group chooses our committee chairs?
party caucus
why do both houses of Congress utilize the committee system?
both are large bodies, there agendas are so crowded
what name is given to the permanent committees?
standing committee
where do idea for bills come from?
executive branch, private citizens, congressmen
what actions account for a bills “first reading”
give bill short title/ number, short summary, journaled
name the main ways of voting in a bill in Congress?
voice, standing, role-call, teller ( electronic ) voting
what actions can a committee take on a bill?
sign it, pigeonholed, report bill in amended form
what actions can the President take on a bill?
veto, pocket veto, pass bill without signature, pass bill (sign it)
