Expressed Powers
Non-Legislative Powers
Committees and Such
MAKING Laws and Such
Law MAKING and Such
100
What gives the author of a book, poem, or song, exclusive rights to reproduce, publish, or sell their work?
copyright
100
Congress has the power to establish the rules for becoming a citizen of the United States. What is this called?
naturalization
100
Does the House or the Senate vote to approve presidential appointments? (like cabinet members and Supreme Court Justices)
the Senate
100
Where must all tax and spending bills start, in the House or the Senate?
the House
100
What are public bills and what are private bills?
Public bills apply to the entire nation, while private bills apply to specific people, groups, or people.
200
What power gives Congress the authority to take private property for public use, although they must pay the owner before they take it?
eminent domain
200
If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the Electoral College, does the House or the Senate pick the president? Who picks the vice-President?
the House of Representatives picks the president, the Senate picks the vice-president.
200
What are Standing Committees and how many are there in the House and the Senate?
Standing committees are PERMANENT committees in the House and the Senate that work to pass bills. There are 20 in the HOUSE and 17 in the SENATE.
200
How many members of the House must be present in order for the House to meet as a "committee of the whole"?
100
200
How many calendars are there in the House and how many are there in the Senate?
There are 5 calendars in the House and 1 in the Senate.
300
Does the House or the Senate remove the President if they are impeached? With what kind of vote? How many presidents have been removed from office after being impeached?
The Senate removed with a 2/3 vote after the House impeaches. No president has been removed from office after being impeached.
300
What resolutions become law if they are signed by the President?
Joint Resolutions
300
What kind of committees "iron out" the difference between bills and make sure they are identical before being sent to the president?
Conference Committees
300
Can you filibuster in the House or the Senate, and how many votes are needed to vote for "cloture" to avoid a filibuster?
You can filibuster in the SENATE only. You can vote to avoid a filibuster by voting for "cloture" with a 3/5 majority or 60 votes.
300
What kind of vote is needed to override a presidential veto?
a 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate
400
What term describes the ability to regulate interstate and foreign trade?
commerce power
400
What are the two most important powers of Congress, the two powers they use most often?
the power to tax and commerce power
400
What committees are set up for a specific purpose (often the investigate) and are temporary?
Select or Special Committees
400
What is a "rider"?
A rider is an unpopular bill that is unlikely to pass on its own that is attached to an important bill, like a spending bill, in order to get it passed.
400
What term describes a bill "dying" in committee, and what term describes forcing a bill that has been killed out of committee?
Bills that die in committee are "pigeonholed". A "discharge petition" can be used to get a bill that has been pigeonholed out of committee.
500
Does the House or the Senate impeach the President? With what kind of a vote? How many presidents have been impeached?
The House impeaches the President with a simple majority vote. Two presidents have been impeached; Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.
500
According to the 1973 War Powers Resolution, when can the president commit American military forces to combat?
1. if Congress has declared war 2. when Congress has specifically authorizes it 3. when an attack on the United States has occurred
500
What are three ways a bill can be "killed" and what are two ways a bill that has been "killed" can be brought back to life?
A bill can be "killed" in committee if it is "pigeonholed" and by the House Rules Committee if it does not grant it a "rule". The Senate can kill a bill through a filibuster. Both the House and Senate can kill a bill by simply voting it down. The president can also "kill" a bill with a veto. A bill that has been pigeonholed can be forced out of committee with a "discharge petition". The Senate can vote for "cloture" to avoid a filibuster with a 3/5 majority or 60 votes. A bill that has been vetoed can be brought back to life with a 2/3 vote in both chambers of Congress.
500
What committee is known as the "traffic cop" of the House, and why are they called this?
The House Rules Committee. They are called the traffic cop because they control when, or if, a bill reaches the House for for debate and a vote.
500
Once a bill reaches his desk, what are three things the president can do with it?
1. He can sign it into law. 2. He can veto it. 3. He can ignore it for 10 days, allowing it to pass if congress is still in session. 4. He can ignore it for 10 days, allowing it to die if Congress is out of session.
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