House vs. Senate
This chamber is often called the "Elite Chamber" because its members serve longer, 6-year terms and it has fewer members.
Senate
This term refers to the people living within a specific district or state that a member of Congress represents
constituents
This event happens every 10 years and is the basis for redistributing House seats among the states.
Census
This is the minimum number of members (218 in the House) who must be present to conduct official business
quorum
This constitutional protection prevents the government from holding a person in jail indefinitely without a trial or legal justification Forbidden Powers & Limits
Habeas Corpus
This is the total number of voting members in the House of Representatives, which is apportioned based on state population
435
This "clause" in Article I, Section 8, allows Congress to stretch its authority to meet new needs not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution
Elastic Clause (or Necessary and Proper Clause)
This is the practice of drawing district boundaries specifically to give a political party an unfair advantage in elections.
gerrymandering
This Senate tactic involves "talking a bill to death" to prevent it from ever coming to a final vote
filibuster
Congress is strictly forbidden from passing these types of laws, which would punish someone for an act that was legal when it was committed.
Ex Post Facto laws
According to the Constitution, this is the only chamber where bills related to "revenue" (taxes) can be introduced
House of Representatives
This is a legal order issued by a congressional committee that requires a person to appear in court or produce specific documents.
subpoena
This specific tactic involves spreading the opposing party's voters across many districts so they can never form a majority
cracking
This is an unrelated provision "tacked on" to a bill that is already likely to pass, often used to bypass the normal process
Rider
This type of law, which is banned by the Constitution, would declare a person guilty of a crime without giving them a trial
Bill of Attainder
While the House has the power to impeach an official, this chamber is responsible for holding the actual trial to determine if they are removed
Senate
This type of tax is paid directly to the government by the person it is imposed on, such as your annual income tax
direct tax
This term describes the process of redistributing the 435 House seats after the population is recounted
reapportionment
This type of vote ensures public accountability because each member's name and their specific "yes" or "no" choice is recorded
roll-call vote
This landmark Supreme Court case confirmed that the "Necessary and Proper Clause" gave Congress the implied power to create a national bank.
McCulloch v. Maryland
These are the three formal requirements (age, citizenship, and residency) specifically for someone to serve as a U.S. Senator.
30+ years old, 9+ years a citizen, and a resident of the state
This non-legislative power allows Congress to monitor federal agencies to ensure they are following the law and spending money properly
oversight
This tactic involves concentrating as many of the opposing party's voters as possible into a single district to limit their influence elsewhere
packing
This occurs if Congress adjourns within 10 days of sending a bill to the President and the President takes no action, effectively killing the bill
pocket veto
While the President can veto a bill, Congress can "check" this power by passing the bill again with this specific fraction of votes in both houses
two-thirds (2/3) majority