House and Senate Study Guide Flashcards
what does bicameral mean
two chambers
what are the two chambers in congress
house of reps and senate
in what city and building does the US congress meet
in the capitol building in Washington, D.C.
what are the formal qualifications to be in the House
must be 25, must have 7 years of citizenship, must live in state you represent
what are the formal qualifications to be in the Senate
30 years old, must have 9 years of citizenship, must live in state you represent
what are the informal qualifications to be in congress
affluent background, well educated, past experience
how long is a term in the House
2 years
how long is a term in the Senate
6 years
Why does the senate have longer terms than the house
they have longer terms because they hold more power
why is the senate called a continuous body
only 1/3 of members are up for election at any given time
how were members of the house choosen prior to the sevententh amendment
elected by the people
how were senators choosen prior to the seventeenth amendment
choosen by legislature
how were representatives chosen after the 17th amendment
by the people
how were senators chosen after the 17 amendment
chosen by the people
what is an enumerated power
power that is directly stated in the constitution
what are three examples of enumerated powers
right to declare war, right to tax, ability to have an army
whartare implied powers
powers not directly stated in the constitution
what are three examples of implied powers
ability to support public schools, ability to have airforce, ability to activate the draft
where do the implied powers come from
the right of congress `
what does it mean to impeach
to formally remove from office
which chamber has impeachment power
house of representatives
which three presidents have been impeached
donald trump, bill clinton, andrew johnson
what is a specific power to the house
power to impeach
what is a specific power for the senate
power to remove
who controls the house
speaker of the house
who is the current speaker of the house
kevin mccarthy
what is the step below speaker
majority and minority leader
what is the step below majority and minority leader
majority and minority whips
who is in charge of the senate
the vice president
who is the current vice president
kamala harris
what is the step below vice president
president pro tempore
what is the level below the president pro tem
majority and minority leader
what is the level below the majority and minority leader
majority and minority whip
what is a standing committee
permanent committees
what are some examples of standing committees
agriculture, budget
what is the rules committee
most powerful committee
why is the rules committee the most powerful committee in the house
it determines if and when a bill is sent to the following for a vote
what are select committees
committees set up for a specific purpose for a limited amount of time
what is a joint committee
committee composed of members from both chambers that is used to investigate issues
what are conference committees
temporary joint committee created to solve difference between house and senates different versions of a bill
where do all revenue bills begin
house of representatives
what is a bill to designate money for a specific purpose
appropriations
what is a piece of proposed legislation called
a bill
what happens when a president does not like a bill
they can veto it
what majority is required in both chambers in order for a veto to be overturned
2/3 majority
what is a pocket veto
when the president does not sign a bill before ten days have passed and the bill dies
what is the first step in a bill becoming law
bill is introduced
what is the second step
goes to the standing committee
what is the third step
goes to the rules committee
what is the fourth step
goes to floor
what is the fifth step
moves to second house
what is the 6th step
floor action
what is the 7th step
conference committee
what is the 8th step
presidential ation
what is the 9th step
bill becomes law
