Social Studies Flashcards
What is the main job of the legislative branch?
To make laws
What branch is Congress?
Legislative
What is the definition of bicameral?
Having two houses or chambers
Which is the upper house in the legislative branch?
Senate
Which is the lower house in the legislative branch?
The House of Representstives
What is the definition of expressed powers?
Powers specifically listed in Article 1 that give Congress the ability to pass certain laws
What is the definition of implied powers?
Powers that the Constitution gives to Congress that are not listed in detail
What is the elastic clause?
It is the same thing as implied powers
Name all of the expressed powers.
- Declaring war
- Creating and maintaining the armed forces
- Coining and manufacturing money
- Establishing a system of delivering mail
- Creating the federal court beneath the Supreme Court
- Raising money by taxing
- Spending money to benefit the nation
- Regulating the process of becoming a citizen
What do members of the Senate represent?
A state
How many votes does each state have in the Senate?
2
How many members are a part of the Senate?
100 total members
How long is the term of office in the Senate?
6 years
When is the re-election for the Senators?
1/3 of the Senators go up for re-election every two years
What are classes in the Senate?
The group of Senators who are up for re-election.
How long do you have to be a citizen for to become a Senator?
At least 9 years
In order to become a Senator where must you be a resident from?
From the state you are representing
How old do you have to be to become a Senator?
At least 30 years old
Who is in charge of the Senate?
The Vice President (Joe Biden)
Who is second-in-command of the Senate?
The President Pro Tempore (Patrick Leahy)
Who selects the President Pro Tempore?
The Senate
What are all the unique powers of the Senate?
- Approves treaties by a two-thirds vote
- Approves major presidential appointments
- Conduct the trial when the House impeaches an official (try impeachment cases)
What do members of the House of Representatives represent?
Congressional districts
What is the representation based on in the House of Representatives?
On the population of the state which is determined by a census
How many votes is each state guaranteed?
At least one
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
435
How long is the term of office in the House of Representatives?
2 years
How long do you have to be a citizen for in order to me come a member of the House of Representatives?
At least 7 years
Where do you have to be a resident of to become a member of the House of Representatives?
You must be a resident of the district which you are representing
Who is in charge of the House of Representatives?
The Speaker of the House (John Boehner)
Who selects the Speaker of the House in the House of Representatives?
The House itself
What are all of the unique powers of the House of Representatives?
- Choose a president if there is no majority in the electoral college
- Impeach government officials
What is the definition of impeach?
To accuse someone of wrong doing
Where does the impeachment process start?
The House of Representatives
A majority of the House must vote for the charges in order to impeach
After the charges are filed, in an impeachment process, where does it go next?
Senate has the power to try all impeachment cases like a court
Who is in charge of the impeachment process of a president while it’s in the Senate?
The Chief of Justice
How many members must be present in the Senate for an impeachment process?
2/3 must be present
What are all of the shared powers between the Senate and the House of Representatives?
- Make and pass laws
- Regulate trade with other countries
- Raise an Army
- Declare war
- Establish post offices
- Propose amendments
- Coin money
- Spend money
Who are the two Senators from Illinois?
Richard (Dick) Durban and Mark Kirk
What checks/balances does the legislative branch have over the executive branch?
- Can override presidential veto by a 2/3 vote
- Approves presidential appointments
- Approves treaties negotiated by the President
- Declare war
- Impeach and remove the President
What checks/ balances does the legislative branch have of the judicial branch?
- Creates lower federal courts
- Can impeach and remove judges
- Can propose amendments for the Constitution
- Must approve appointments of Federal Judges
