Congress Basics
There are exactly this many Senators from each state.
2
The basic power of Congress is to legislate. What does this mean?
to make or write laws
The leader of the House who has the most power in determining legislation in their chamber.
Speaker of the House
A bicameral legislative body has how many chambers?
2
The number of House members is based on each states' __________.
Population
The process whereby the national government divides up how many seats a state will receive in the House of Representatives.
Apportionment (Reapportionment is also acceptable)
This committee is tasked with resolving issues between House and Senate bills.
conference committee
According to the "Coattail" effect members of Congress performance in midterm elections is most closely tied to the performance of...
The President
This chamber's Ways and Means Committee has the power to start any bills that require the raising of revenue.
House
The list of powers given to Congress is found in which article and section of the Constitution.
Article 1, Section 8
To whom does the Constitution give the power to approve of all newly drawn legislative districts.
State legislatures
This is the term for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.
earmark or pork (barrel)
bringing home the bacon!
This privilege allows Congressman to free postage to contact their constituents to inform them of all the great things they are doing for them in Washington DC.
Franking Privilege
This is the vote criteria to override a president's veto.
2/3rds (supermajority)
This clause allows in the Constitution allows Congress to do more things than what is actually enumerated in the Constitution.
Two possible answers: - Necessary & Proper Clause - Elastic Clause
Why are congressional districts gerrymandered?
To give a political party an advantage in winning future congressional elections in as many districts as possible
A member of Congress who votes in the best interest of their constituents back home is known to be following this model of representation.
Delegate
(The other models of representation are Partisan, Trustee, and Politico)
An attempt by a Senator to slow down the legislative process by talking for a great length of time to delay a floor vote.
Filibuster
According to SCOTUS decisions a congressional district must be roughly equal in population (Baker v. Carr), must be contiguous/connected, and what, according to the ruling in Shaw v. Reno.
Race can't be the main factor for creating districts
This committee determines tax rates and allocation of funds. If you are on this committee you aren't allowed to serve on any other committees.
House Ways and Means Committee
House vote to override the committee’s decision to kill a bill by passing this which to bring a the bill out of the committee for a floor vote.
Discharge petition