Structure of Congress
What are the two chambers of Congress?
House of Representatives
Senate
What is the main job of the legislative branch?
make laws
pass bills
Bills always begin as this
an idea or a proposal by a citizen or a member of Congress
the President's action to reject or decline a proposed bill
veto
How many members does each state get in the Senate?
2 per state (equal representation)
These are the types of powers specifically listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution
enumerated powers
a.k.a
expressed powers
Once a bill in introduced, it is sent to these types of committees, which are permanent committees that handle the subject for the bill
standing committees
having two chambers of Congress
(HINT: think of a bicycle)
bicameral
How many members are there total in each?
House of Representatives:
Senate:
House: 435
Senate: 100
Powers that are not listed in the Constitution, but suggested
implied powers
A bill that deals with money (taxes, spending, etc.) must start in which chamber of Congress?
All other bills can start in either chamber
House of Representatives
a proposed piece of legislation (law)
bill
What determines the number of members for each state in the House of Representatives?
population
What is the name of this clause in Article 1 of the Constitution?
Congress can "make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying out the foregoing powers."
Necessary and Proper Clause
a.k.a.
the Elastic Clause
Once a bill passes a floor vote by a majority in one chamber of Congress, where does it go?
The other chamber of Congress, where the process starts all over again
How long are terms for members in each chamber of Congress?
House:
Senate:
House of Representatives: 2 years
Senate: 6 years
What are the three qualifications to be a member of the House of Representatives?
- 25 years old
- 7 years a U.S. citizen
- a resident of the state you represent
Why is the Necessary and Proper Clause referred to as the "Elastic Clause?"
because it allows Congress to "stretch" its power by doing "necessary and proper" actions to carry out its expressed powers (implied powers)
Once a bill has passed both chambers of Congress, this type of committee works out differences between both versions of a bill
conference committees
a.k.a.
joint committees
The action of Congress passing a bill into law with a 2/3 vote of both chambers after a Presidential veto.
veto-override
List the three qualifications to be a U.S. Senator:
- 30 years old
- 9 years a U.S. citizen
- a resident of the state you represent
List examples of expressed powers of Congress
"Congress has the power to..."
- declare war
- tax
- borrow money
- regulate commerce (trade)
- create lower courts
- raise an army/navy
- establish post offices
- create citizenship laws
Once a bill has passed, the President has these three options.
1. sign into law
2. veto bill
3. do nothing (pocket-veto)
- bill becomes law after 10 days in Congress is in session
The President's power to kill a bill if Congress is not in session by not signing it after 10 days.
If Congress is in session, after 10 days the bill will become a law.
pocket-veto