US Congress Flashcards
what is Congress?
legislative body of the federal government
what two chambers make up the Congress
House of Representatives, Senate
what is the name given to the system of two chambers in congress
bicameral
what are the members of the senate and House of Representatives called?
Senators, Congressmen/women or Representatives
what are their key roles
pass laws (legislation), keep a check or oversight on other branches of movement especially the executive branch
How many members are there to Congress
535 members over two chambers
How many Representatives/Senators are there
100 senators, 435 Representatives
Why is there a need to balance representation in the membership of the House
protection for smaller states whilst fair representation across larger states
How is the House of Representatives structured
each state is assigned a certain number of representatives depending on size of population
How is the senate structured
Two senators for every state, regardless of size.
What does over-representation in the Senate provide for the smaller states
smaller states can’t be overwhelmed by the larger states
what does fewer representatives linked to population size of each state provide
prevents smaller states from coercing the larger states
how long is the cycle for presidential elections
4 years
Who are elected on the same day as the president
House of Representatives and 1/3 of senate
when do mid-term elections take place
two-years in-between presidential elections
how often are Representatives elected
every 2 years
what are the advantages to a frequent election of the representatives
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
a) what are states with more than one representative divided into
b) how do they elect them
a) congressional districts
b) elect one representative through FPTP system
Exclusive powers to the House
- Impeach members of executive
2.Elect the president in case of tie - consideration of money bills
exclusive powers to Senate
- Try cases of impeachment
- Elect Vice President in cases of tie
3.Ratify foreign treaties - confirm executive appointment
joint powers of congress
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
what are standing committees?
-a permanent committee
-focus on specific policy areas or executive work
-example- House committee on energy and commerce/ Senate committee on foreign relations
what are select committee?
-temporary committees
-address specific issues rather than legislation
-example- House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global warming.
What ways are the two chambers equally powerful?
-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
