The Legislative Branch Flashcards
Majority
One over half the larger group of politicians
Minority
One less than half the smaller group of politicians
Privilege
A special right favorite etc granted to some person or group
Expel
To remove
What is the major duty of the legislative branch
To make our countrys laws
What is the legislative body called
Congress
Where does the Congress meet
The Congress meets in the capital building in Washington DC
When do Congress meetings begin
On the third day of January every odd numbered year
What is the name of the record of meetings of Congress
Congressional record
List two privileges of members of the United States Congress
They cannot be arrested when going to or from Congress or while attending a session of Congress they cannot be sued or punished for anything they might say in Congress
Census
A count of people
Impeach
To accuse an official
How many representatives are there in the House of Representative
435
How many representatives does your state send to Washington DC
17
When was the last census taken in the United States
2020
When will the next census be taken
2030
What was the population of the United States at the last census
According to the last census 331,449,281
What are the three qualifications to be a representative
- Must be 25 years old
- Must be a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years
- Must live in the state from which he or she is elected
What is the title of the presiding officer of the house
The presiding officer is the speaker of the House
The house begins the impeachment process by doing what
By accusing the official of some wrongdoing or misused of power
What are the names of the two houses of Congress
House of Representatives and Senate
How many senators does each state send to Washington DC
2 senators
What is the total number of senators today
100 senators
What is the term of office of a senator
6 years
What is the term office of a Representative
2 years
What are the three requirements to be a senator
- Must be at least 30 years old
- Must be a citizen of the United States of at least 9 years
- Must live in the state he or she represents
What are the titles of the two presidenting officers of the Senate
The vice president of the United States is the president of the Senate if the vice president is absent in the senators choose an alternative president officer called the ( president’s pro tempore)
What does the Senate do during the impeachment process
Act as a jury and tries impeachment cases
Quorum
One person over half the number of members the minimum number what must be present in order to do business
Adjourn
To stop meeting
Expel
To remove
How many representatives from the House of Representatives would need to be present in order for there to be a quorum
There will have to be 218 Representatives present
What fraction of the Senate must agree to expel a member
2/3 of the Senate must agree
What number is the 2/3 of the Senate that must agree
66
Where can you find the notes of the meetings of Congress
The notes of the meetings are published in the Congressional record
Who pays the salaries of Representatives by senators
By the US government
What house is the only house to introduce bills to raise money
Only in the house are Representatives
Veto
To reject a bill and prevent it from becoming a law
Override
To declare no and void
Where can a bill be introduced
And either the house or the Senate
Money bills must be introduced in which house
In the House of Representatives
If a bill is approved by the House of Representatives where must they go next
Must go to the Senate
When both houses approve a bill where does it go
It’s given to the president for his approval
If the president vetoes a bill that process must happen for the bill to become a law
The bill goes back to the house where it started and both houses must vote on whether to pass the bill over to the presidents vote
What fraction of Representatives and senators must agree in order to override the president’s veto
2/3 of both houses must agree to override the president’s veto
If the veto is not overridden what happens to the bill
If the veto is not overridden the bill is dead
List and describe 4 powers given to the Congress by article 1 section 8
A. Coin money
B. To regulate trade
C. Establish a system of weights and measurements
D. Establish post offices
What is the elastic clause
Is article 1 section 8 close 18 which gives Congress the power “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” to carry out its responsibilities
Define enumerated powers to give an example
The power to declare war is an example
Define implied powers and give an example
The power to establish post offices is an example
Define inherent powers and give an example
The United States must deal with foreign countries diplomatically but that power is not stated in the Constitution
What does habeas corpus mean literally
You shall have the body
Why does the Constitution prevent Congress from taking away our right of habeas corpus
So that a person is allowed to be seen and heard in a courtroom by a judge
What is a bill of attainder
The wall passed by the government that convicts a person of a crime and punishes them without a trial
What is an ex post factor law give an example
Mr Z smokes on Monday on Tuesday along with past prohibiting smoking on Wednesday Mr.Z is arrested for smoking a Monday is an example
What is one other limit placed on the Congress
Government money can only be spent by passing a law
What are two additional limitations placed on the states by the Constitution
- States cannot make treaties with another countries
- States cannot coin their own money
Delegated
Delegate powers are those given to the national government in Washington DC
Concurrent
Concurrent powers are those shared between the national and state governments
Reserved
Reserved powers are those that only States have
