Legislative Branch Review Flashcards
Article
part of a document
Bicameral
a gov’t that has a two-house legislative system
Veto
reject
Impeach
- to remove from office
- formally accuse the president of a wrong doing
Census
population count every 10 years
Constituents
people representing
Caucus
private meeting
Bill
a proposed law
Filibuster
talking a bill ‘to death’
Cloture
procedure for ending a debate in the senate and taking a vote on it
Pocket Veto
congress is not in session and the bill dies
Majority Party
political party that has the most members in each house
The first article of the constitution created what?
the first branch
Explain how the three branches of the U.S. gov’t create a separation and balance of powers.
Each branch has their own duties and specific power to balance it out. One branch doesn’t have all the power.
Which branch creates laws?
legislative branch
Which branch carries out laws?
executive branch
Which branch decides whether or not laws are constitutional?
judicial branch
How is our legislature bicameral in nature?
we have two parts of congress; the House of Reps and the Senate
What are the two houses and how many people are in each?
House of Reps - 435
Senate - 100
List and describe the powers delegated to Congress.
1) Financing Gov’t - can raise and collect taxes, borrow money, and print money
2) Regulating and Encouraging American Trade and Industry - can regulate trade by passing laws that protect the rights of American investors
3) Defending the Country - can declare war and maintain armed forces
4) Creating Lower Courts - can set up a system of courts to enforce laws passed by congress
5) Providing for Growth - can pass laws to regulate immigration and naturalization. can introduce new states.
How can Congress overcome the President’s veto on a law.
With 2/3 vote of both houses
Explain the impeachment process.
1) HoR initiates the process and chooses the president if no candidate receives enough electoral votes
2) Senate finishes the trial and chooses the VP if no candidate receives enough electoral votes
How can amendments be approved?
by 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress
Why is it important that the Supreme Court has the ability known as Judicial Review.
to declare a legislative or executive act in violation of the constitution
What do House Reps focus on?
The concerns of their district
What do Senators focus on?
national issues
Who is the most powerful member of Congress?
Speaker of the House
Does the Speaker of the House or the president pro tempore of the Senate have more power?
Speaker of the House
List and describe the four types of committees.
1) Standing Committees - permanent; work from session to session; focus on education and trade policies; have subcommittees
2) Select Committees - do a special job for a limited time ( usually an investigation)
3) Joint Committees - House and Senate members meet and usually focus on economics and tax policies
4) Conference Committees - temporary; helps the house and senate agree on minor details of laws
What are the requirements to become a House Rep
- at least 25 years old
- citizen of the U.S. for at least 7 years
- legal resident of the state you represent
What are the requirements to become a Senator?
- at least 30 years old
- citizen of the U.S. for at least 9 years
- legal resident of the state you represent
How long are terms for both senators and house reps?
HoR - 2 years
Senate - 6 years
Review term limits for Congress
Supreme court said it is unconstitutional to rule term limits
Bills can only be introduced by…
House of Reps
What is an ‘Act’?
a law
What happens after a bill has been approved by both houses of Congress and goes to the president?
- sign the bill/declare it a law
- veto it
- keep the bill for 10 days without signing or vetoing it
What power does Congress have over the President in regard to the passing of bills?
- If congress in session, then the bill becomes a law without the president’s signature
- Congress can override the president’s veto with 2/3 vote from both houses
