Congress and the People
This is the name of the lower house of Congress, with representation based on population.
What is the House of Representatives?
This term refers to Congress having two chambers.
What is bicameral?
Article I, Section 8 lists these specific types of powers granted to Congress.
What are enumerated powers?
This is the power Congress has over presidential vetoes.
What is the power to override with a two-thirds vote?
This founding document was replaced by the U.S. Constitution because it created a weak national legislature with no power to tax.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
Members of the House serve this many years per term.
What is two years?
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
Congress has the power to declare this, although the president is commander-in-chief.
What is war?
The Senate checks the president’s appointment power through this process.
What is confirmation or advice and consent?
The number of voting members in the U.S. House of Representatives.
What is 435?
Senators represent these political divisions, with two from each.
What are the states?
The Vice President of the United States serves this role in the Senate.
What is the President of the Senate?
Congress can regulate this between states and with foreign nations.
What is commerce?
Congress can investigate and remove the president through this two-step process.
What are impeachment and conviction?
This landmark Supreme Court case in 1824 expanded Congress’s power to regulate interstate commerce.
What is Gibbons v. Ogden?
This amendment, ratified in 1913, allowed the people—not state legislatures—to directly elect U.S. Senators.
What is the 17th Amendment?
These officers in both houses help organize party strategy and maintain party discipline.
What are the whips?
Congress uses this clause to stretch its powers beyond those specifically listed.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)?
This check allows Congress to reduce or deny funding to executive programs.
What is the power of the purse?
This term refers to the redrawing of congressional district boundaries, often done for political advantage.
What is gerrymandering?
This term describes a legislator's duty to represent the interests of their constituents, even if it conflicts with personal opinion.
What is the delegate model of representation?
This chamber has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills.
What is the House of Representatives?
Congress cannot pass these types of laws that punish people retroactively.
What are ex post facto laws?
The Senate checks the executive branch by ratifying these with a two-thirds vote.
What are treaties?
This informal norm allows Senators to speak at length to delay legislation—unless 60 Senators vote to end it.
What is a filibuster?