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Social Studies SACS 7th Grade > Legislative Branch > Flashcards

Legislative Branch Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the Legislative Branch?

A

An organization of elected representatives. One of the 3 branches of government.

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2
Q

What is the purpose of the Legislative Branch?

A

They make laws (official policies)

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3
Q

Is the Legislative Branch local or national?

A

It can be both. (Local legislative laws are followed by local citizens only. Laws by Congress are followed by the entire nation).

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4
Q

Who established the Legislative Branch?

A

The Legislative Branch was established by the Constitution. Article 1 Section 1: All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

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5
Q

What does “Bicameral” mean?

A

It means it has 2 different chambers (or parts)

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6
Q

What are the 2 chambers of the Legislative Branch?

A
  1. House of Representatives
  2. Senate
    (bills (proposed laws) must be passed (or approved) by both)
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7
Q

How are the members of the Legislative Branch selected?

A
  1. HofR: Prportional representation (state send representatives in proportion to overall population) x representatives per x number of people.
  2. Senate: equal representation. 2 from each state.
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8
Q

What are the terms of the members of the Legislative Branch?

A
  1. HofR: serve 2 year terms, begin in January of odd numbered years.
  2. Senate: 6 years. No limit of times they can be reelected.
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9
Q

What is a session?

A

It’s the period of time when officials meet in D.C.

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10
Q

Can there be “special sessions”?

A

Yes. Only the President can call them.

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11
Q

How many times have “special sessions” been called by Presidents?

A

46 times.

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12
Q

When was the last “special session” and who called it?

A

1948 by President Truman

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13
Q

When do elections for Legislative Branch happen?

A

In November of an even numbered year.

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14
Q

When does the newly elected congress start after election?

A

January of the odd numbered year.

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15
Q

How is the population of a state determined?

A

By a Census.

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16
Q

What is the Census?

A

It is an official count of number of people, household, or other items in a particular country or a location at a certain time.

17
Q

How frequently do Census happen?

A

Every ten years.

18
Q

What is Gerrymandering?

A

It’s the practice of drawing irregularly shaped districts to give a political party power over another.

19
Q

Who created Gerrymandering?

A

Elbridge Gerry, Gov. of Massachusetts, in the 1800.

20
Q

What is cracking?

A

It’s determining the boundary lines to divide members of the same party. It ensures a group does not have enough votes in a district.

21
Q

What is packing?

A

It’s the action of crowding members into one district.

22
Q

What is the impact of Gerrymandering?

A
  1. Voting rights - legislature established rules to prevent gerrymandering for minorities.
  2. Contributes to political polarization.
  3. Members of gerrymandered districts are reluctant to work with reps of other parties and loose votes.
  4. Voters elect Reps to represent the political views.
23
Q

What is an incumbent?

A

It’s the person who is currently holding the office.

24
Q

What are the qualifications to be in the Senate?

A
  1. At least 30 years old.
  2. Must have been a US citizen for at least 9 years before the election.
  3. Must be a legal resident of the state.
25
Q

What are the qualifications to be in the House of Representatives?

A
  1. At least 25 years old.
  2. Must have been a US citizen for at least 7 years before the election.
  3. Not required to live in the state they represent.
26
Q

How many members make up the Senate?

A

100 Senators

27
Q

How many members make up the House of Representatives?

A

A. 435 voting members.
B. 5 non voting members from US Territories
C. 1 non voting commissioner for Puerto Rico.

28
Q

Who is the President of the Senate?

A

The VP of the US, but they only vote to break a tie.

29
Q

What does “President Pro Tempore” mean?

A

It leads when the VP is absent. It belongs to the majority party and is usually the longest serving member.
“Pro Tempore” = “For Now”

30
Q

What do “Floor Leaders” do?

A

They help get bills passed.

They are both in the Senate and the House.

31
Q

What are the “Party Whips”?

A

They are the assistant leaders that help the Floor Leaders and they make sure legislators are present for key votes.

32
Q

What is the “Majority Party”?

A

It’s the party that holds more than half of the seats in either the House or the Senate.

33
Q

What is the “Minority Party”?

A

It’s the party that holds less than half of the seats in either the House or the Senate.

Social Studies SACS 7th Grade (2 decks)

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