unit 4: legislative branch

Question 1

bill

Answer 1

a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration

Question 2

constituency

Answer 2

the people and interests that an elected official represents

Question 3

filibuster

Answer 3

various tactics (usually long speeches) aimed at defeating a bill in a legislative body by preventing a final vote

Question 4

gerrymandering

Answer 4

the drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group

Question 5

impeach

Answer 5

to bring formal charges against a public official. power to impeach is held by the house of representatives

Question 6

reapportionment

Answer 6

redistribute, as in seats in a legislative body. power to do this is held by congress

Question 7

session

Answer 7

period of time during which, each year, congress assembles and conducts business

Question 8

term

Answer 8

two-year period of time during which congress meets

Question 9

veto

Answer 9

chief executive’s power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Question 10

when are elections?

Answer 10

the tuesday after the 1st monday in november of even numbered years

Question 11

profile of an average member of congress

Answer 11

• white
• middle-aged
• men
• married
• 2 children
• educated
• religious

Question 12

types of voting options

Answer 12

trustee, delegate, partisan, politico

Question 13

trustee voting

Answer 13

decisions made based on best judgment

Question 14

delegate voting

Answer 14

follow wishes of constituents

Question 15

partisan voting

Answer 15

duty bound to follow party lines

Question 16

politico voting

Answer 16

balance roles as situation demands (combination of all three)

Question 17

what is the size of the house of representatives based on?

Answer 17

population

Question 18

how many members in the house of representatives?

Answer 18

435 members

Question 19

how long are terms in the house of representatives

Answer 19

2 year terms

Question 20

congressional districts

Answer 20

districts set up by state legislature

Question 21

who makes the lines of congressional districts?

Answer 21

state legislature

Question 22

what are the rules when creating districts?

Answer 22

districts need to have equal population, be continuous, and compact

Question 23

qualifications for the house of representatives

Answer 23

• at least 25 years old
• have u.s. citizenship for 7 years
• live in the state they are representing

Question 24

what is the size of the senate based on?

Answer 24

equal representation - 2 per state

Question 25

how many members are in the senate?

Answer 25

100 members

Question 26

how long are terms in the senate?

Answer 26

6 years

Question 27

qualifications for the senate

Answer 27

- at least 30 years old - have u.s. citizenship for 9 years - live in the state they are representing

Question 28

strict constructionists

Answer 28

narrow interpretation of powers given to congresss

Question 29

liberal constructionists

Answer 29

broad interpretations of powers given to congress

Question 30

3 types of powers given to congress

Answer 30

expressed, implied, inherent

Question 31

expressed powers

Answer 31

powers specifically written in the constitution

Question 32

examples of expressed powers

Answer 32

taxation, commerce power, currency, bankruptcy, foreign relations, war powers, postal powers

Question 33

implied powers

Answer 33

powers not specifically mentioned in constitution, but covered in a clause

Question 34

necessary and proper clause

Answer 34

aka, the elastic clause. clause that stretches out congress' powers

Question 35

inherent powers

Answer 35

constitutional amendments, proposed by 2/3 vote in each house

Question 36

what 3 presidents were impeached?

Answer 36

andrew johnson, bill clinton, and donald trump

Question 37

executive powers

Answer 37

all major appointments by president, need confirmation by senate

Question 38

investigatory power

Answer 38

investigate anything that falls within scope of legislative powers

Question 39

10 steps on how a bill becomes a law

Answer 39

1. member introduces bill 2. speaker of the house sends bill to standing committee 3. subcommittees study bills 4. full committee decides on the bill 5. sent to rules committee 6. sent to the floor 7. if passed, bill goes to the senate 8. bill is sent to the conference committee if it's not the same version 9. comprised version sent back to both houses 10. presidential action

Question 40

types of presidential action on a bill

Answer 40

1. sign a bill - it becomes law 2. veto the bill - refuse to sign but congress can override veto with a 2/3 vote 3. do nothing - will become law if no action is made in 10 days 4. pocket veto - if congress adjourns session within 10 days of the end of the session and the president doesn't do anything, the bill dies

Question 41

senate's rules of debate

Answer 41

1. tradition of free debate 2. filibuster

Question 42

rules of a filibuster

Answer 42

talking, standing, can't leave the floor of the senate