Unit 2: congress

Question 1

How old must members be in the HoR, and the Senate

Answer 1

HoR: 25

Senate: 30

Question 2

Name 3 roles of congress

Answer 2

Pass legislation

Represent citizens

Oversee executive

Question 3

Name 5 powers of Congress

Answer 3

Oversight and investigation

Override President’s veto (with supermaj)

Confirm appointments

Ratify treaties

Impeachment

Question 4

Name 2 groups who are over represented in Congress and the statistic

Answer 4

Christians - 88% in Congress, 71% in US

Men: 73% in Congress, 49% of US

Question 5

Name 2 groups that are underrepresented in Congress and their statistic

Answer 5

Hispanics - 9% Congress, 18% population

Women - 27% of Congress, 51% of population

Question 6

What is the role of the Speaker?

Answer 6

Determine legislative agenda and choose committee members

Question 7

What is the role of the House Leader?

Answer 7

Plan legislative agenda and coordinate party

Question 8

What is the role of the Whip?

Answer 8

Assistant leaders who stand in for leaders to enforce party unity

Question 9

Name 2 reasons for underrepresentation

Answer 9

Congress’ traditions are offputting to female members - pool was men-only until 200

Senators have to be present to vote which negatively impacts mothers

Question 10

What % of bills introduced were enacted in 2017-18?

Answer 10

3.3%

Question 11

Name the 7 stages of the Legislative process

Answer 11

First reading

Committee

Timetabling

Second reading

Third reading

Conference committee

Presidential action

Question 12

What has happened to conference committees in recent years?

Answer 12

declined in use over the last 20 years, especially since the Republicans took control over both houses in 1995

Question 13

Name an example of timetabling being used successfully

Answer 13

2015 to force a vote to re- authorise America’s Export- Import Bank

Question 14

Name 3 ways the legislative process limits Congress

Answer 14

Complicated - legislative labyrinth

Need for supermajority sometimes e.g stop filibuster

Both houses may have diff parties and so may disagree

Question 15

Name 2 ways a supermajority is needed in Congres

Answer 15

Block Presidential veto

Stop filibuster

Question 16

What is the power of the purse?

Answer 16

Only Congress can raise revenue, and can refuse to pass budget

Question 17

Name an example of when congress used the power of the purse

Answer 17

2018-19 gov shutdown - refused Trump wall spending

Question 18

Name 2 arguments for and against Congress fulfilling its oversight function effectivelt

Answer 18

Agree: Fear keeps exec in check, strong oversight during divided government

Disagree: partisanship, no Pres removed from office due to impeachment

Question 19

Name the four types of committees in congress

Answer 19

Standing committees

House Rules Committee

Conference Committee

Select committee

Question 20

Name 2 roles of standing committees

Answer 20

Conduct committee stage of bills

Confirm presidential appointments

Question 21

Name a role of the House Rules committee

Answer 21

Timetabling bills

Question 22

Name a role of Conference committees

Answer 22

Reconcile different versions of bills from House and Senate

Question 23

Name a role of Select Committees

Answer 23

Investigation

Question 24

Name 2 powers the House has that the Senate doesn’t

Answer 24

Initiate money bills

Initiate impeachment

Question 25

Name 2 roles the Senate has that the House doesn’t

Answer 25

Confirm appointments

Ratify treaties

Question 26

Name 2 arguments for and against the Senate being more prestigious than the House

Answer 26

For: Senate represents entire state, 6 year term

Against: Equal power in passing legislation, House has some powers e.g initiate money bills

Question 27

Name 4 ways Congress checks the Executive

Answer 27

Override veto

Ratify treaties

Confirm appointments

Strike down executive orders

Question 28

Name 2 ways Congress checks the judicial branch

Answer 28

Impeachment

Pass amendments to override rulings