The Legislature

Question 1

Congress

Answer 1

Consists of The House of Representatives and the Senate to form the Legislative Branch

Question 2

House of Representatives

Answer 2

Lower house consisting of 435 members, directly elected to represent districts within states, serving 2 year terms

Question 3

Oversight of Executive

Answer 3

‘Elastic Clause’ grants this power

• Confirming appointments
• override presidential veto
• ratifying treaties

Question 4

Standing Committees

Answer 4

exist in both houses & as sub-committees with around 18 members in the senate ad 30 in the House

Question 5

Senate

Answer 5

Upper house consisting of 100 members directly elected to represent an entire state, serving a 6 year term

Question 6

Role of Congress

Answer 6

Through legislative debate and compromise, the U.S. Congress makes laws, oversee the executive branch, and serves as the voice of the people and the states in the federal government.

Question 7

Powers of Congress

Answer 7

• Law Making
• initiating constitutional amendments
• Impeachment & removal of public officials
• confirm appointed vice president
• declare war
• overseeing executive
• overseeing judiciary

Question 8

African Americans in Congress

Answer 8

52 in house

3 in the senate

Question 9

How do congress members fulfil representative role

Answer 9

Joining standing committees (of relevance)
Lobby executive departments (on relevant issues to state/district)
Fundraise (for state/district)

Question 10

Constitutional Requirements for the House of Representatives

Answer 10

25 years minimum, US resident for 7 years and live in state they represent

Question 11

Constitutional Requirements for the Senate

Answer 11

30 years minimum, US resident for 9 years and live in state they represent

Question 12

3 Function of Standing Committees

Answer 12

Scrutiny of the executive branch
Committee stage of Legislative process
Conduct Investigations

Question 13

House Rules Committees

Answer 13

Standing Committee in the House of Representatives responsible for organising the order bills enter the debate stage of the legislative process

Question 14

Conference Committees

Answer 14

Draws up a bill reconciling the differences between the different versions made in the two houses who can refuse to sign the compromised version.

Question 15

Select Committees

Answer 15

Set up to investigate a particular issue that is likely to be time consuming, with members from both houses.

Question 16

Who are Committee Chairs

Answer 16

majority party in the house e.g. standing committee chairs in 115th congress all republican

Question 17

Example of a select committee?

Answer 17

2014 John Boehner - House Select Committee following Terrorist Attack in Benghazi

Question 18

Whats the role of committee chairs

Answer 18

decide when to meet
controls committees budget
spokesperson for the committee

Question 19

Legislative Process

Answer 19

First Reading/Introduction 
Committee Stage 
Time Tabling (house rules committee)
Second Reading/Floor Debate 
Conference Committee 
Presidential Action

Question 20

Negatives of the Legislative Process

Answer 20

• Crowded process
• Complicated process
• Need for Super-Majority
• Power lies with Standing committees

Question 21

Positives of the Legislative Process

Answer 21

• Houses have equal power

- Past significant legislation that has shaped America

Question 22

Women in Congress

Answer 22

102 in house

25 in senate

Question 23

Types of Presidential Action

Answer 23

Signing the bill
leaving the bill on desk
regular veto
pocket veto

Question 24

Representation; Trustee Model?

Answer 24

Make own judgement/decision for the benefit of others

Question 25

Representation: Delegate Model?

Answer 25

Act on behalf of constituents - House of Rep. elected every 2 years so vital they act in the interest of others or risk loosing position

Question 26

3 ways of Improving diversity within congress?

Answer 26

Democrat control
Affirmative Action
Black caucuses

Question 27

How many times has the regular veto been used by The President since 1780?

Answer 27

1508

overriden 110 times