Study Guide Part 2 Flashcards
What is the role of the vice president in the Senate?
The vice president presides over Senate sessions.
What is the role of the president pro tempore in the Senate?
The president pro tempore presides over the Senate if the vice president is absent.
What is a Congressional committee?
A congressional committee is a legislative sub-organization in the United States Congress that handles a specific duty rather than the general ones of Congress.
What happens in a Congressional conference committee?
Differences in House/Senate bills are resolved; it is a very temporary committee.
What is a Congressional caucus?
A congressional caucus is a semi-formal group of congress people that are organized around particular identities or interests.
What is the first step in the process of how a bill becomes a law?
A bill is introduced in the House or Senate.
What happens after a bill is introduced in the House or Senate?
The bill is assigned to a relevant committee for hearings and markup.
What occurs after a committee votes to approve a bill?
It goes to the House or Senate floor for a full chamber vote.
What happens if a similar bill is passed by the House or Senate?
A conference committee is created to come up with a single version of the bill.
What happens after a bill is approved on the House or Senate floor?
It goes to the other chamber for a vote.
What occurs after a bill is passed by both the House and Senate?
It goes to the president for approval.
What can Congress do if the president vetoes a bill?
Congress can override the veto with a ⅔ supermajority in both the House and Senate.
What is required for a bill to pass in the House?
A simple majority is required, which is 218 people.
What is required for a bill to pass in the Senate?
A simple majority is required, which is 51 people.
Why is the House Committee on Rules important?
It is responsible for the rules under which bills will be presented to the house, and it can approve or kill bills before they reach the floor.
What is pork barrel legislation?
Appropriations made by a legislature for projects that are not essential but pump money into local districts. It is considered bad because it caters to single districts instead of the good of the country.
How does Congress check other branches of government?
Congress can override a veto and impeach presidents and judges.
