Legislative Flashcards
Where is Legislative branch described in the constitution?
Article I
The Legislative’s job
Make laws
The American system of government is based on __
A representative form of government
Representatives do what?
Carry out the will of people
Majority
Over half
The legislative branch of our government is called what?
Congress
Congress is made up of __?
The House of Representatives and the senate
EXPELling a member means what?
Removing a government member by 2/3 vote.
Which house of congress is larger?
The House of Representatives
House of Repredentatives requirements
At least 25 years old, citizen of the US for 7 years, live in the state from what you’re elected.
Presiding officer of the HOR
Speaker of the House
How is the speaker of the House selected?
They are voted on by the members of the house and usually is a member of the majority party.
Whose are the 1st 2nd and 3rd in line of taking over the presidency?
The VP , Speaker of the house , president pro-tempore
Impeachment
Proceedings against a government speaker. To accuse and official of doing some wrongdoing or misuse of power.
Which house accuses and impeachment, and who carries it out?
The house and the senate
Census
A government count of people every 10 years
How many members does the senate have
100
House of Representatives term length
2 years
Senate term length
6 years
How much of the senate is set up for reelection?
1/3
How were the senators chosen until 1913 and how are they chosen now?
They were chosen by their state legislatures until 1913, and the 17th amendment made them directly voted for by the people.
Senator requirements
30 years of age, citizen of the us for 9 years, live in the state you represents
Who is in charge of all the senate meetings?
The Vice President. Can only vote in the event of a tie. If the VP is absent, the senators choose an alternate presiding officer known as the president “pro-tempore” (temporary)
What does the senate act as in the impeachment process?
The jury. 2/3 must find the victim guilty for them to be pardoned.l
Who acts as a judge in impeachment?
The Supreme Court Justice.e
What did the constitution decide congress could not do? (Federal)
No outlawing slavery laws until 1808, habeas corpus, outlawed bills of attainder, no passing ex post facto laws, government money can only be spent for passing laws, congress cannot issue titles of nobility. (Duchess, queen, etc,)
What did the constitution decide the congress couldn’t do? (Regarding states)
Cannot tax state products, give preference to state seaports
What did the constitution prevent states from doing?
Cannot make treaties with other countries, cannot coin their own money, cannot do anything the federal government can’t do
Three powers of government
Delegated, concurrent, and reserved powers
Delegated powers
Powers given to the national government in Washington DC, such as declaring war.
Concurrent powers
Powers shared between the federal and state governments, such as the power to tax.
Reserved powers
Powers states only have, such as the powers to create a school system.
Habeus Corpus
Means “you shall have the body”. Allows a person to be seen and heard by a judge in a courtroom. Guilty or not, you have the right to appear in court.
Bills of attainder
A law that convicts somebody of a crime and punishes them with NO trial.
Ex post facto laws
You cannot arrest somebody for a crime that they did when it was still legal at the time.
What duties are shared by the senate and HOR?
Defense issues and spending decisions
HOR important duties
- Pass bills 2. Start revenue (money) bills 3. Sole power to impeach 4. Selects president if no majority in electoral college
Senate important duties
- Pass bills 2. Approve treaties 3. Approve some presidential appointments 4. Jury in impeachment
Order of how a bill is made into a law
A bill can start in either house, except for a money bill, which musty start in the HOR. If the second house doesn’t agree, they send it back for changes. If no changes are made the bill dies. If both houses agree to the bill, it is given to the president for approval. If the president vetoes it but congress is still in session, and 2/3 of each house override it, it becomes a law either way.
Pocket veto
If the president doesn’t respond to the bill in 10 working days and congress is out of session, the bill dies.
What happens if the president doesnt respond to a bill in 10 working days and congress is in session?
It becomes a law.
National government powers (name 5)
- regulate foreign commerce
- coin money
- provide army or navy
- declare war
- establish federal courts below Supreme Court
- conduct foreign relations
Concurrent powers (name 5)
- levy taxes
- borrow money
- spend for general welfare
- establish courts
- enact and enforce laws
State government powers
- regulate intrastate commerce
- establish local government systems
- administer elections
- protect publics welfare, health, and morals
