Congress Basics
What are the two chambers of Congress?
House & Senate
What is the first step in the process of making a bill into law?
Introduced my a member of Congress
What is the purpose of a committee in Congress?
To review, edit, and research bills before they go to the full chamber
What power allows Congress to remove the President or judges from office?
Impeachment
What is a filibuster?
A long speech in the Senate meant to delay a vote
How long is a Representative’s term?
2 yrs
What usually happens to most bills that are introduced in Congress?
Die in committee
Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?
Speaker of the House
Who can veto a bill passed by Congress?
The President
What is “logrolling”?
When legislators agree to support each other’s bills
How long is a Senator’s term?
6 yrs
What must happen before a bill can go to the President’s desk?
Pass both the House and the Senate
What is a “standing committee”?
A permanent committee that focuses on a specific area (like education or defense)
What can the Supreme Court do if Congress passes an unconstitutional law?
Strike it down(Judicial Review)
What is “cloture”?
A vote to end a filibuster (needs 60 votes in the Senate)
Which chamber has the power to start tax (revenue) bills?
The House of Reps
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a bill?
Override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers
What is a “select” or “special” committee?
A temporary committee created for a specific purpose (like an investigation)
Who has the power of "Advice and Consent" and how does it work?
The Senate and they need to vote to approve presidential appointments and treaties
A Senator adds funding for their home state to a national bill. What is that called?
Pork-barrel spending
Which chamber confirms presidential appointments and ratifies treaties?
The Senate
What is a “conference committee”?
A temporary committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill
What is the role of the committee chair and how do they get their position?
To lead discussion, manage debate, and decide which bills move forward. They get assigned their jobs by the Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader
How can Congress limit the power of the bureaucracy or executive branch?
Oversight Hearings, Power of the Purse, or passing new legislation
A bill passes both chambers, but the President waits 10 days and Congress adjourns. What happens?
It dies — that’s a pocket veto