5.1
What are the two houses of the Bicameral Legislature?
Senate and House of Representatives
How often do the House and the Senate print out their rules?
Every 2 years
Who is the Senate member who stands in as president of the senate in the absence of the Vice President?
President Pro Tempore
What are the 4 kind of Committees?
Standing, select, joint, and conference
What is the function of Press Secretaries?
They assist with media coverage
What is a National Census?
Population count
What is a caucus?
A closed meeting
What fraction of the supermajority to approve treaties, overturn vetoes, and remove federal officials from office?
2/3 of supermajority
What are standing committees?
Permanent committees that oversee bills dealing with certain issues.
Who are the Personal Staff?
People who work directly for individual senators or representatives
What is Gerrymandering?
Drawing a districts boundaries to gain an advantage in elections.
What are the 2 jobs of the Majority leaders?
Help plan the majority party's legislative program and to steer important bills through the house.
What kind of majority is needed to pass a bill?
Simple Majority
What is a select committee?
A temporary committee that studies one specific issue and reports findings to the house.
Who are the Committee staff?
People who work for the House or Senate committees
What are the 3 things the Senate can be arrested for?
Treason, felony, and breach of peace.
How many members on the House of Representatives?
435
What is a filibuster?
A method of defeating a bill in the senate by stalling the legislative process and preventing a vote.
What is a joint committee?
A committee that has both permanent and temporary members; they study bills and report to the house and the senate
What is the role of the Chief of Staff?
They run the office, supervises the schedule, gives advice on political matters, and deals with influential people.
When do congressional session terms start?
January 3rd, on years ending in odd numbers, and last 2 years.
What is a Quorum?
The minimum number of members who must be present to permit a legislative body to take official action
How many members in the Senate?
100
What is a conference committee?
What are the roles of the legislative assistants?
-Informs congressmen of the proposed legislation
-Research, draft, and studies bills for congressmen
-Attends meetings when the congressmen can't