US Congress

Question 1

what is Congress?

Answer 1

legislative body of the federal government

Question 2

what two chambers make up the Congress

Answer 2

House of Representatives, Senate

Question 3

what is the name given to the system of two chambers in congress

Answer 3

bicameral

Question 4

what are the members of the senate and House of Representatives called?

Answer 4

Senators, Congressmen/women or Representatives

Question 5

what are their key roles

Answer 5

pass laws (legislation), keep a check or oversight on other branches of movement especially the executive branch

Question 6

How many members are there to Congress

Answer 6

535 members over two chambers

Question 7

How many Representatives/Senators are there

Answer 7

100 senators, 435 Representatives

Question 8

Why is there a need to balance representation in the membership of the House

Answer 8

protection for smaller states whilst fair representation across larger states

Question 9

How is the House of Representatives structured

Answer 9

each state is assigned a certain number of representatives depending on size of population

Question 10

How is the senate structured

Answer 10

Two senators for every state, regardless of size.

Question 11

What does over-representation in the Senate provide for the smaller states

Answer 11

smaller states can’t be overwhelmed by the larger states

Question 12

what does fewer representatives linked to population size of each state provide

Answer 12

prevents smaller states from coercing the larger states

Question 13

how long is the cycle for presidential elections

Answer 13

4 years

Question 14

Who are elected on the same day as the president

Answer 14

House of Representatives and 1/3 of senate

Question 15

when do mid-term elections take place

Answer 15

two-years in-between presidential elections

Question 16

how often are Representatives elected

Answer 16

every 2 years

Question 17

what are the advantages to a frequent election of the representatives

Answer 17

1)remain responsive to their voters needs
2)discourage them from raising taxes, making them fear losing re-election
3) keep them on their toes and to be accountable

Question 18

a) what are states with more than one representative divided into
b) how do they elect them

Answer 18

a) congressional districts
b) elect one representative through FPTP system

Question 19

Exclusive powers to the House

Answer 19

1. Impeach members of executive
   2.Elect the president in case of tie
2. consideration of money bills

Question 20

exclusive powers to Senate

Answer 20

1. Try cases of impeachment
2. Elect Vice President in cases of tie
   3.Ratify foreign treaties
3. confirm executive appointment

Question 21

joint powers of congress

Answer 21

1.To pass laws
2. Initiate constitutional amendments
3.investigating executive branch
4.declare war
5.confirm to the president’s nomination of a new Vice-president

Question 22

what are standing committees?

Answer 22

-a permanent committee
-focus on specific policy areas or executive work
-example- House committee on energy and commerce/ Senate committee on foreign relations

Question 23

what are select committee?

Answer 23

-temporary committees
-address specific issues rather than legislation
-example- House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global warming.

Question 24

What ways are the two chambers equally powerful?

Answer 24

-both pass or block legislation
-both have two-thirds support if it is needed to over-ride a presidential veto.
-standing committees of both chambers have same powers to investigate the executive