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US congress Flashcards

1
Q

What is Congress?

A

The federal legislature of the USA, composed of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

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2
Q

What are state legislatures?

A

Elected representatives responsible for making state laws in each of the 50 states.

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3
Q

Where is Congress based?

A

In the Capitol on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.

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4
Q

What is the role of Congress?

A

It is the legislative branch of the US government, responsible for making federal laws.

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5
Q

What is the significance of the separation of powers?

A

It allows members of Congress to act independently of the other two branches of government.

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6
Q

What is the House of Representatives?

A

The lower house of Congress with 435 members elected for 2-year terms.

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7
Q

How many members are in the Senate?

A

100 members, called senators.

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8
Q

What is the term length for senators?

A

Senators serve 6-year terms.

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9
Q

How often are congressional elections held?

A

Every 2 years.

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10
Q

How many congressional districts does each representative serve?

A

Each representative serves a different congressional district.

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11
Q

What happens to all House of Representatives seats during elections?

A

All House of Representatives seats are contested at every election.

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12
Q

What is unique about Senate elections?

A

One-third of Senate seats are contested at every election.

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: The House of Representatives is the ______ house of Congress.

A

lower

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14
Q

Fill in the blank: Each state has ______ senators.

A

two

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15
Q

True or False: Congress is unicameral.

A

False

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16
Q

What does bicameral mean?

A

Having two chambers.

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17
Q

What is the main responsibility of Congress?

A

To create federal law that applies to all states.

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18
Q

What was the primary purpose of designing Congress by the Founding Fathers?

A

To serve as a compromise between the demands of large and small states.

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19
Q

Which plan did small states favor during the Philadelphia Convention?

A

The New Jersey Plan.

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20
Q

What did the New Jersey Plan propose regarding legislative representation?

A

Equal numbers of seats for all states in the legislature.

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21
Q

Which plan did states with larger populations favor?

A

The Virginia Plan.

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22
Q

What was the main principle of the Virginia Plan?

A

Population size would determine the number of seats states had in Congress.

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23
Q

What was the agreement reached that resolved the conflict between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan?

A

The Connecticut Compromise.

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24
Q

How are seats in the House of Representatives allocated?

A

According to the population size of each state.

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25
How many seats does each state receive in the Senate?
Two seats, regardless of size.
26
As of now, which state has the largest population in the USA?
California.
27
How many congressional districts does California have?
53.
28
Which states qualify for only one representative in Congress?
Seven states, including Alaska and Montana.
29
What is one of the primary roles of Congress?
Passing legislation.
30
What responsibility does Congress have in relation to the people?
Representing the interests of their constituents.
31
What power does Congress have regarding the executive branch?
To oversee and scrutinize the actions of the president and the federal government.
32
What is the primary role of Congress?
Congress initiates legislation ## Footnote This includes proposing bills that can become law.
33
What is required for both houses of Congress to approve a bill?
A simple majority in both houses ## Footnote This is necessary for a bill to progress to the president.
34
What happens if the president vetoes a bill?
Congress can decide to amend, abandon, or override the veto ## Footnote A two-thirds majority in each house is required to override.
35
What majority is needed in Congress to override a presidential veto?
Two-thirds majority in each house ## Footnote This is necessary to counteract the president's decision.
36
What is required to initiate an amendment to the Constitution?
A two-thirds majority in both houses ## Footnote This is a critical step in the amendment process.
37
Which house of Congress is responsible for ratifying treaties?
The Senate only ## Footnote Treaties negotiated by the president require Senate approval.
38
What must happen for a declaration of war to be made?
Both houses must vote for a declaration of war ## Footnote This power has not been used since 1941.
39
What role does Congress play in federal budgets?
Congress must approve federal budgets ## Footnote This is part of its oversight responsibilities.
40
Which house confirms presidential appointments?
The Senate only ## Footnote This includes appointments to the federal judiciary and executive branch.
41
Who can impeach a public official?
Only the House of Representatives ## Footnote A simple majority in the House is needed for impeachment.
42
What is required for a guilty verdict in an impeachment trial?
A two-thirds majority Senate vote ## Footnote This results in the official's immediate removal from office.
43
When was the last time Congress needed to elect a president?
1824 ## Footnote This occurs in the event of a hung Electoral College.
44
What is the first step in the legislative process in Congress?
Bills may originate in the House or the Senate ## Footnote This marks the beginning of the legislative journey.
45
What happens to a bill during the committee stage?
The committee can amend the bill and decides whether to release it ## Footnote This stage is crucial for determining a bill's future.
46
What determines whether amendments can be made to a bill in the House?
Rules set for the bill ## Footnote These rules are established before the bill is debated.
47
What must happen for a bill to become law?
It must pass through both houses of Congress separately ## Footnote Differences in the bill versions are resolved in a conference.
48
What are the two chambers of Congress?
House of Representatives and Senate ## Footnote The House is the lower chamber, while the Senate is the upper chamber.
49
How many members are there in the House of Representatives?
435 members ## Footnote The exact number of representatives can change based on population shifts.
50
How many members are there in the Senate?
100 members ## Footnote Each state is represented by two senators.
51
What are the three roles of Congress?
* Lawmaking * Representation * Oversight ## Footnote These roles ensure Congress functions effectively within the government.
52
What is the purpose of conference committees?
To reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill ## Footnote These committees consist of members from both chambers.
53
What happens to a bill after Congress passes it?
It is sent to the president for approval ## Footnote The president can sign, veto, or leave it on the desk.
54
What is a pocket veto?
When the president leaves a bill on their desk and Congress adjourns before the 10-day period ends ## Footnote This effectively vetoes the bill without an official signature.
55
What are the age requirements for members of Congress?
* Congress(wo)men: 25 years or older * Senators: 30 years or older ## Footnote These age requirements ensure a level of maturity and experience.
56
What is the citizenship requirement for congress(wo)men?
Must be a US citizen for at least 7 years ## Footnote This requirement ensures familiarity with US laws and governance.
57
What is the citizenship requirement for senators?
Must be a US citizen for at least 9 years ## Footnote Senators are expected to have a deeper understanding of national issues.
58
What residency requirement must both senators and congress(wo)men meet?
Must reside in the state they represent ## Footnote This ensures they are connected to the constituents they serve.
59
What happens if a bill is left on the president's desk for 10 days and Congress is still in session?
It automatically becomes law ## Footnote This is a standard procedure unless vetoed.
60
What is the committee stage in the legislative process?
Conducted in standing committees for review and modification of bills ## Footnote This is a key step in evaluating the bill before it goes to the floor.

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