Structure of Congress
Powers of Congress
Congress at Work
How a Bill Becomes a Law
It Could Be Anything
100
Why is Congress bicameral?
The framers sought to compromise on the issue of state representation
100
What is the single most important and basic power of Congress?
To make laws
100
What are the legal requirements to be a member of each house of Congress?
House of Representatives: at least 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, and live in the state you are going to represent

Senate: at least 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, and live in the state you are going to represent
100
What is the difference between a Public Bill and a Private Bill
Private Bills concern individual people or places
Public Bills concern the entire nation
100
What happens when the House and the Senate pass different versions of the same bill?
A conference committee is appointed to resolve the differences
200
How many total members of Congress are there?
There is a total of 535 members of Congress
100 in the Senate (Equal Representation)
435 in the House (Representation based of population)
200
What is the difference between the enumerated powers and implied powers, and where are the enumerated powers found?
Enumerated powers are those powers directly listed out in the Constitution and implied powers are the powers that are understood to be there. The enumerated powers can be found in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.
200
What are the three (3) primary functions of Congress?
They are to "make laws," "casework," and "helping the district or state"
200
List the steps of the process for how a bill becomes a law in order?
Proposal, Committee Action, Floor Action, Conference Action, Passage/Veto
200
The power to declare war, and to collect taxes are examples of?
Enumerated powers
300
How long are the terms for a member of the Senate and the House of Representatives?
Senate is 6 year term
House of Representatives is a 2 year term
300
Proposing Constitutional amendments, impeaching officials, and approving or rejecting presidential appointments for various offices are all examples of what?
Nonlegislative powers
300
Why does Congress spend so much time participating in casework?
It helps then win a favorable public opinion which in turn makes it easier to win reelection
300
What are the three (3) sources that can propose a bill?
The constituents, special-interest groups, and the President
300
What is a pocket-veto by the president?
The ability of the President to kill a bill, if Congress is not in Session, by not signing it for 10 days
400
Why is only 1/3 of the Senate up for reelection at any given point?
To shield the Senate from a sharp change in Public Opinion and to ensure that the Senate is stable through the election
400
Writs of habeas corpus, bills of attainder, and ex post facto laws are all examples of what?
Limits on Congressional Powers
400
Which of the following two offices reviews spending by federal offices, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
400
What does it mean when a committee pigeonholes a bill
The bill dies
400
How can the Senate end a filibuster
By 3/5 of its members voting on cloture
500
Who are the leaders of each respective house of Congress?
House of Representatives= The Speaker of the House
Senate= the Vice President and President Pro Tempore
500
What is the purpose of the elastic clause and where can it be found in the U.S. Constitution?
It allows Congress to stretch the implied powers to meet new needs and it is found under Article I, Section 8, Clause 18
500
Why do members of Congress try to bring home Pork-barrel Projects
They are government funded projects that will benefit the district of state of the member of Congress
500
What is the reasoning behind most bills not becoming law?
They never make it past the committee stage
500
In Congress, where does a majority of the work take place on a bill?
In the standing committees
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