Congress Basics
Which two houses make up the United States Congress?
House of Representatives and Senate
What are enumerated (expressed) powers?
Powers specifically written in the Constitution, such as taxing and declaring war.
Why does Congress use committees?
To divide the workload, study bills in detail, hold hearings, and develop expertise.
How long is one term for a member of the House?
Two years
Who presides over the U.S. Senate and can break a tie?
The vice president of the United States.
What is a constituent?
A person represented by an elected official.
What is an implied power?
A power not directly listed but reasonably necessary to carry out an enumerated power.
Name two types of congressional committees.
Standing, select, or joint
How long is one term for a U.S. senator?
Six years
Which chamber has the sole power to impeach federal officials?
The House of Representatives.
How many U.S. senators does each state have?
2
Which part of the Constitution is called the elastic clause?
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 — the Necessary and Proper Clause.
What is a bill?
A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law.
What does the franking privilege allow members of Congress to do?
Send official, job-related mail without paying postage.
Which chamber holds impeachment trials?
The Senate
Why is Congress divided into two houses?
The Great Compromise balanced representation by population in the House with equal state representation in the Senate.
How does the elastic clause affect congressional power?
It allows Congress to pass laws necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.
What does a conference committee do?
It works out differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
Name two benefits available to eligible members of Congress.
Health insurance and life insurance; free office space, parking, trips to their home state; franking privilege
What fraction of both houses is needed to override a presidential veto?
2/3 of each chamber
How many voting members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?
435
How are enumerated and implied powers different?
Enumerated powers are explicitly listed; implied powers are inferred from those listed powers.
What generally happens after both houses pass the same bill?
It goes to the president to sign or veto.
How are House seats distributed among states?
By population, with each state guaranteed at least one representative.
List out the 6 steps of a bill becoming a law
1. Bill gets introduced
2. Gets sent to committee
3. If passes committee, moves to the floor for a debate
4. Gets voted on. If passes...
5. Goes through the same process in the other house
6. Gets sent to the president