Legislative Branch Test Flashcards
President Pro Tempore
a high-ranking senator of the majority party who presides over the US Senate in the absence of the Vice President
Speaker of the House
the presiding officer of the United States House of Reps. The Speaker is a member of the house and is elected by a majority party caucus
Majority Leader
the head of the majority party in a legislative body
Minority Leader
the head of the minority party in a legislative body
Political Whip
an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature
House of Reps Qualifications
- At least 25
- U.S. Citizenship for 7 years
- living in the place they represent
House of Rep Duties
initiate bills for raising revenue, impeach officials, and choose the president in the event that a presidential candidate fails to get a majority of the Electoral College votes
House of Reps Term Length
2 year term lengths; No limit to the amount of terms
House of Representatives
is the lower house
Senate Qualifications
- At least 30
- U.S. Citizenship for 9 years
- Resident in the state they want to represent
Senate Duties
introduces bills and resolutions, examines and tweaks bills, votes on a bill if it is accepted, make sure checks and balances are in order
Senate Term Length
6 years; new senators are elected every 2 years; No term limit
Senate
is the Upper House
Joint Committee
A committee when both the Senate and the House of Representatives are joined together to discuss a topic
Checks and Balances
counterbalancing influences by which an organization or system is regulated, typically those ensuring that political power is not concentrated in the hands of individuals or groups.
