Structure and Powers
This is the primary function of Congress
Making laws
This type of committee is permanent and handles most legislative work.
standing committee
What is the first step?
a. Committee reviews and may amend the bill
b. Bill is introduced in the House or Senate
c. Bill is debated and voted on in the first chamber
b. Bill is introduced in the House or Senate
These groups try to influence lawmakers to support their policies.
special interest groups
The total number of voting members in the House of Representatives.
435
This amendments allows for the direct election of Senators
17th Amendment
A temporary committee created to address a specific issue (ex., climate change).
select committee
If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can override it with this fraction of votes in both houses.
two-thirds
How long is a senator's term?
6 years
This process manipulates district boundaries for political advantage.
Gerrymandering
Constituents
A committee with members from both chambers that resolves bill differences.
conference committee
After a bill is introduced, it goes here for review and possible amendments.
a committee
This term describes the act of attempting to sway legislative decisions through direct interaction with lawmakers.
Lobbying
Each state’s representation in the House of Representatives is based on this.
Population
This type of congressional power is not explicitly written in the Constitution but is suggested.
implied powers
A committee with members from both chambers that handles broad issues, especially those related to administrative and investigative tasks.
joint committee
If both chambers approve a bill, it is sent here for final approval or rejection.
the President
The Vice President serves in this role in the Senate.
What is the President of the Senate?
This type of gerrymandering concentrates a group into a small number of districts, limiting their influence elsewhere.
Packing
This clause in the Constitution supports implied powers.
Elastic Clause
These smaller groups within congressional committees focus on specific policy areas and conduct research, hold hearings, and draft legislation before it reaches the full committee.
subcommittees
If the President vetoes a bill and Congress does not override it, this happens to the bill.
it dies
This type of lobbying involves direct communication with lawmakers, such as meetings, phone calls, and drafting legislation to influence policy decisions.
Direct lobbying
This process occurs every 10 years and determines the redrawing of congressional districts.
redistricting