Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government

Question 1

What is bi-cameral legislature?

Answer 1

Two-house legislature to represent the states in the federal government; House of Representatives and the Senate

Question 2

This 1913 amendment allowed people to directly elect their senators, rather than them being elected by state legislators.

Answer 2

The 17th amendment

Question 3

Who does the House of Representatives represent, how many members, length of terms?

Answer 3

Represents the people, 435 members, 2-year terms

Question 4

Who does the Senate represent, how many members, length of terms?

Answer 4

Represents state governments and legislatures, 100 members (2 each state), 6-year terms

Question 5

What are caucuses?

Answer 5

Factions within the parties and demographics of Congress (Coalitions - representing a particular group)

Question 6

What are the 4 kinds of congressional powers?

Answer 6

Power of the Purse; Regulating commerce; Foreign and military affairs; Implied (Elastic Clause)

Question 7

What is “Power of the Purse?”

Answer 7

The power of Congress to tax, budget, and appropriate funds

Question 8

This congressional house has the power to propose revenue bills, impeach the president, and select the president in cases of no electoral majority.

Answer 8

House of Representatives

Question 9

This congressional house has the power of “Advice and Consent,” approving foreign treaties, and convict the president.

Answer 9

Senate

Question 10

What role does the Speaker of the House have?

Answer 10

De facto leader of the majority part in the house; organizes meeting, committees, and debate speaker

Question 11

What role do the Majority and Minority Leaders have in the House of Representatives?

Answer 11

First members recognized in debate, spokespeople for their party

Question 12

What role does the Whip have in the House of Representatives?

Answer 12

Deputy leader, below majority leaders; manage party discipline

Question 13

What are some characteristics of the President of the Senate?

Answer 13

• The VPOTUS of the US; casts tie-breaking votes
• President pro tempore (25th amendment); steps in if the VP is unavailable

Question 14

What role does the Senate Majority Leader have?

Answer 14

Chief Legislator; more power in the Senate than VP; sets the calendar, determines which bills are debated and when

Question 15

What are standing committees? Members? Examples?

Answer 15

• Permanent committees focused on a particular policy area
• Chairperson: senior member of the majority party
• Ranking member: senior member of the minority party
• Examples: House Judiciary (identifies bad behaviors and punishments); Way & Means (determines tax policy

Question 16

What are joint committees? Examples?

Answer 16

• Unites members from the House & Senate for routine management and research
• Examples: Library of Congress Joint Committees

Question 17

What are select committees?

Answer 17

• Temporary committees to perform a particular study or investigation
• Examples: Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming; Nixon Watergate Scandal

Question 18

What are conference committees?

Answer 18

Temporary committees to iron out differences in a bill passed by both houses

Question 19

This congressional chamber has unique rules such as: follows “Robert’s Rules of Order,” members can only speak for one hour, and legislators can only offer germane amendments (amendments that relate to the bill in question).

Answer 19

House of Representatives

Question 20

This congressional chamber has unique rules such as: anyone who stands to speak must be recognized, speech must be directed at the presiding officer with no time limits (filibuster), and can propose nongermane amendments (no relation to bill in question).

Answer 20

Senate

Question 21

What is a germane amendment?

Answer 21

An amendment directly related to the bill in question

Question 22

This congressional speaking tactic is used when a congressman speaks for so long that the deadline to approve a bill expires.

Answer 22

Filibuster

Question 23

What is the Cloture Rule?

Answer 23

Rule 22; a 3/5 (60 votes) supermajority vote can stop debate on a bill, ending a filibuster

Question 24

Describe the process of introducing a bill.

Answer 24

• A sponsor authors a bill and it receives a number to identify it
• Process takes about 2 years, bill are more often than not rejected

Question 25

These types of nongermane amendments are added to bills to benefit the agendas of members.

Answer 25

Riders

Question 26

This term is used to denote a type of bill that has been altered beyond recognition, making the bills look completely different than its origin.

Answer 26

Omnibus Bill; AKA Christmas Tree Bill