The Structure and Function of Congress
How many members are there in the House of Representatives?
435
What is an incumbent?
A person already holding office
What is a bill?
A proposed law presented to Congress for enactment
Who is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives?
The Speaker of the House
Which chamber has the power to initiate revenue bills?
The House of Representatives
How many members are there in the Senate?
100
What is the main reason incumbents have an advantage in elections?
Name recognition and access to campaign finance
What committee is responsible for reviewing bills before they go to the full House?
House Rules Committee
Who is the President of the Senate?
The Vice President of the United States
Which chamber has the power to confirm presidential appointments?
The Senate
What is the minimum age required to be a U.S. Senator?
30
What is gerrymandering?
Manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party
What is a filibuster?
A tactic used in the Senate to block a bill by prolonging debate
Who leads the majority party in the Senate?
The Majority Leader
What is the role of Congress in the impeachment process?
The House impeaches, the Senate tries the case
What is the minimum age required to be a U.S. Representative?
25
How often are House of Representatives elections held?
Every 2 years
How can a filibuster be ended?
By a cloture vote requiring 60 Senators
What is the role of the Whip in Congress?
To ensure party discipline and manage party's legislative program
What type of committee is formed to address specific issues that do not fit into existing committees?
Select Committee
What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
6 years
What is the role of a challenger in an election?
To contest the seat of the incumbent
What happens after both the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill?
A conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences
Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President are unable to serve?
The Speaker of the House
What is legislative oversight?
Congress's monitoring of the executive branch and its administration of policies