Structure of Congress
How many Senators come from each state? How many are there in total in the U.S. Senate? Who is the head of the Senate?
Each state gets 2 Senators which means there is a total of 100 Senators in the U.S. Senate. The head of the Senate is the Vice President.
The primary purpose and function of the United States Congress is to?
Create Laws/Pass Legislation
What were the Articles of Confederation?
America's first constitution (created 1777, ratified 1781, replaced 1789), but it had WEAK CENTRAL GOVERNMENT (Individual states have the power) BECAUSE The states had just fought to break from a powerful and distant authority (afraid of tyranny)
A system of checks and balances was included in the United States Constitution because the authors were concerned about
One branch of government becoming too strong
Based on the United States Constitution, the census, or population count, helps to determine the number of members where?
Members to the House of Representatives from each state
What is one Power of the Senate?
Approves and Ratifies Treaties
Approves and Ratifies Presidential Appointments
May remove individuals under Impeachment
What does the 1st amendment establish?
Free: Speech, press, religion, petition for citizens.
The First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What is a check that the Executive Branch (President) have on the Legislative Branch (Congress)?
Veto Power
Calls Special Sessions of Congress
How many years is a term for a U.S. Senator? A House Representative?
A term is 6 years for a U.S. Senator and 2 years for a House Representative.
Which power of Congress have they used most often and been most important to expand their power?
The ability to levy taxes and coin money
What was one weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The Confederation Congress did not have the right to:
Impose taxes
Regulate trade/commerce
enforce treaties
How does the Legislative Branch (Congress) check the power of the Executive Branch (President)?
Veto Override - with 2/3 of Congress
Impeachment and Removal of Office
Confirms Treaty Negotiations
Approves Federal Appointments by the President
How do we determine the winner in elections for the Senate and for the House of Representatives?
Majority Vote directly elected by the voters WITHOUT any filters.
What are challenges to Congress in the Legislative Process?
Gerrymandering: Drawing district lines illogically to give advantage to one party
Filibuster: An attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions.
Partisanship: the relationship between the people committed to a political party and the party itself.
What type of proceedings do the fifth and sixth amendments have to with?
Criminal Proceedings - Fair Treatment while on trial.
The Fifth Amendment provides that citizens not be subject to criminal prosecution and punishment without due process. Citizens may not be tried on the same set of facts twice and are protected from self-incrimination (the right to remain silent).
The Sixth Amendment assures the right to a speedy trial by a jury of one’s peers, to be informed of the crimes with which one is charged, and to confront the witnesses brought forward by the government.
What is one way the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) check the Legislative Branch (Congress)?
May declare laws made by Congress unconstitutional.
What is main purpose for the Senate and the House? Each has a different purpose which is why their structure is different.
The main purpose of the Senate was to be slow and steady for deliberation and compromise.
The House of Representatives' main purpose was to be quick and responsive to the needs of the citizens.
What is the difference between an "Enumerated Power" of Congress and an "Implied Power" of Congress?
Enumerated Powers: Also called “expressed powers” – expressly stated in Article I, Section 8
Power of the Purse (taxing power)
Regulating Commerce
Foreign and Military Affairs
Implied Powers: Powers that Congress has that are not explicitly stated in Constitution
Based on the necessary and proper clause → Congress has additional powers to carry out its expressed powers
Ex. Congress can create a national bank
Which argument did the authors of the United States Constitution use when they insisted that revenue bills originate in the House of Representatives?
Frequent elections would make members of the House more responsive to the wishes of the voters.
How does the Legislative Branch (Congress) check the power of the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
Can amend bills based on Judicial rulings
Impeach and Remove Federal Judges
Establishes number of Judges on each bench
How does a Bill become a Law?
A bill is written up by a Congressperson. After the bill is written up, it is Sponsored or Introduced by one Congressperson. Then they bring it to Committee for revisions and edits. Once it passes in committee, the bill goes to either the House of Representatives Floor OR Senate Floor. On the floor, it gets voted on and then sent to the other chamber to be voted on. (Starts in House then goes to Senate OR starts in Senate and then goes to House). Once it passes both the House of Reps and the Senate, the bill goes to the President. The bill will become a law if the President signs it, but if the President Vetoes the bill or "says no" then the bill returns to Congress to get a veto override with 2/3 vote to eventually make the bill officially become a law.