Powers
This section of the U.S. Constitution outlines the structure, powers, and operational rules of the Legislative Branch.
Article I
This is the process of allocating 435 House seats among the 50 states based on population data from the decennial (10 year) census.
What is apportionment?
Presiding officer of the House of Representatives and second in line to the presidency, this official is chosen by a vote of the entire House membership.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
This type of permanent committees in both chambers specialize in specific policy areas like Foreign Affairs or Judiciary.
What is a standing committee?
These specific legislative authorities—such as coining money and declaring war—are explicitly written in Article I, Section 8.
What are enumerated (or expressed) powers?
Occurring every ten years following the census, this state-level process redraws electoral boundaries to equalize district populations.
What is redistricting?
Presiding over the Senate in the Vice President's absence, this constitutional officer is typically the most senior member of the majority party.
Who is the President Pro Tempore?
This practice involves vote-trading among legislators, where members agree to support each other's bills.
What is logrolling?
Derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause, these legislative powers are reasonably inferred
What are implied powers?
This term refers to the body of voters in a specified district or state who elect a representative to legislative office.
What is a constituency?
In the Senate, this elected party member functions as the chief strategist and spokesperson, scheduling floor debate and legislative action.
What is the Majority Leader?
This term describes wasteful Congressional spending directed toward local projects that primarily benefit a specific member's district or state.
What is pork-barrel spending or politics?
These powers belong to the national government simply because it is a sovereign state, such as controlling borders or acquiring territory.
What are inherent powers?
Under this model of representation, legislators vote strictly according to the explicit desires of their constituents, regardless of personal opinion.
What is the delegate model?
Chosen by the party with fewer seats, this individual organizes opposition strategy and articulates party policy in either chamber.
What is the Minority Leader?
Used exclusively in the Senate, this procedural tactic relies on extended debate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.
What is a filibuster?
Written by James Madison, this foundational document argues that checks and balances and separation of powers prevent tyranny: "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."
What is Federalist #51?
In this representation model, legislators use their own best judgment and conscience to decide issues, believing voters trusted them to make informed choices.
What is the trustee model?
Party leadership officials who count votes prior to legislative action and pressure party members to vote alongside party leadership.
Who is the whip?
Senate Rule 22 requires a supermajority vote of 60 senators to invoke (apply) this procedure and end a filibuster.
What is cloture?
Congress exercises this responsibility when holding hearings and monitoring executive branch agencies to ensure proper implementation of federal laws.
What is oversight?
In this hybrid approach, lawmakers act as delegates on high-profile issues clear to voters and as trustees on complex or low-salience issues.
What is the politico model?
The President of the Senate is also this other position in the federal government.
What is Vice President of the United States?
This temporary, bicameral panel is formed specifically to iron out differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill.
What is a conference committee?