Congressional Foundations
This branch of government makes the laws.
What is the legislative branch?
Congress has two chambers or houses, making it this type of legislature.
What is bicameral?
The political party with the most members in a legislative body is known by this term.
What is the majority party?
Congressional powers that are clearly stated in the Constitution are called these.
What are expressed powers?
A proposal being considered by Congress for a law is called this.
What is a bill?
These are the citizens a member of Congress represents.
What are constituents?
This chamber of Congress is considered the lower house.
What is the House of Representatives?
This House officer is the chief presiding officer and is third in line for presidential succession.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
This constitutional clause gives Congress flexibility to make laws that are “Necessary & Proper.”
What is the Elastic Clause?
A bill that is ignored or set aside and dies in committee receives this description.
What is pigeonholed?
This area of a state is represented by a member of the House of Representatives.
What is a congressional district?
A member of the House of Representatives serves this length of term.
What is two years?
This Senate officer presides when the vice president is absent and is typically a member of the majority party.
Who is the President Pro Tempore?
The power to collect taxes, borrow money, regulate trade, and declare war is classified as this kind of power.
What are legislative powers?
In the Senate, long speeches used to prevent a vote are called this.
What is a filibuster?
This process redraws district boundaries to benefit a particular political party.
What is gerrymandering?
This is the minimum age required to serve in the Senate.
What is 30 years old?
These permanent committees are used every term.
What are standing committees?
Charging an official with misconduct is called this.
What is impeachment?
Congress can override a presidential veto with this vote from both the House and Senate.
What is a two-thirds vote?
These groups of people with similar interests attempt to sway legislators.
What are interest groups?
Each state has this many members in the Senate.
What are two senators?
This committee, made up of members from both houses, works out differences between bills for final approval.
What is a conference committee?
This court order requires police to bring a prisoner to court and explain why the prisoner is being held.
What is a Writ of Habeas Corpus?
If Congress ends its session within 10 days and the president does not sign a bill, this occurs.
What is a pocket veto?