Powers
what are enumerated powers?
Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.
what is gerrymandering?
the drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent
what are standing committees?
-Permanent body with specified legislature responsiblites.
-evaluate bills and either kill them or pass them along for further debate
-each has a juridiction over a certain area
- each has several subcommittees
who elects the senators?
the people
who elects the house of representatives?
the people
what is log rolling?
an agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills
what is incumbency?
the fact that being in office helps a person stay in office because of a variety of benefits that go with the position
what are select committees?
-temporary
-set up to investigate specific issues for a limited amount of time
-no legislative authority
how long is their term?
4 years
how long is their term?
2 years
explain the necessary and proper clause
states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government
what is franking privilege?
The right of congress to send job-related mail without paying postage., benefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-free
what are joint committees?
-composed of members of both houses
-deal with issues of interest of both houses rather than consider legislation
-limited jurisdiction
what are the qualifications to be a senator?
1. 30 years old
2. Resident for 9 years
3. Live in state they represent
1. 25 years old
2. Resident for 7 years
3. Live in state they represent
what was the judiciary act?
A law that established the federal court system and the number of Supreme Court justices and that provided for the appeal of certain state court decisions to the federal courts
what is the role of the speaker of the house?
the leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives
what are conference committees?
- both houses have passes a different version of the same bill
-is formed to achieve an agreement between both the house and the senate on the exact wording of the bill
-temporary
who is the chief official of the senate?
the us vice president
who is the chief officer of the house?
the speaker
explain the case of gibbons v ogden
(1824) U.S. Supreme Court decision reinforcing the "commerce clause'' (the federal government's right to regulate interstate commerce) of the Constitution; Chief Justice John Marshall ruled against the State of New York's granting of steamboat monopolies.
explain the case of baker v carr.
case that established the principle of one man, one vote. This decision created guidelines for drawing up congressional districts and guaranteed a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state
what is the senate judiciary committee?
-conducts hearings proir to the senate to vote on whether or not to confirm prospective fed. judge nom. by Pres.
-provides oversight of the department of justice and all the agencies under the departmetn of justice
how is the senate involved in the impeachment process?
the Senate then tries the accused.
how is the house involved in the impeachment process?
House of Representatives can bring formal charges