Vocabulary Terms
Name the Term:
Having 2 legislative Chambers (Having 2 'Houses')
Bicameral
How many members are there in the House of Representatives?
435 members
How many senators are there in the U.S. Senate?
100 Members
What 2 bodies (aka houses or chambers) make up the Legislative Branch?
The House of Representatives and the Senate
What powers are given to Congress by the Constitution? and where do these powers come from?
Enumerated Powers and Article 1 of the Constitution
Powers given to Congress that are written in Article 1 of the US Constitution
Enumerated Powers
What is the minimum age requirement to be a member of the House?
25 years old
What is the minimum age requirement to be a senator?
30 years old
What is the main job of Congress?
Give 2 examples of Enumerated Powers
-Declare War; Tax; Coin Money;
Name the Terms (2 different vocab words):
__________ Powers that congress has that are not written, but are connected and held to their enumerated powers by the ________ clause.
Implied Powers
Elastic Clause (aka Necessary and Proper Clause)
How often do elections for the House take place?
every 2 years; ALL 435 seats!
How long is a senator's term?
6 years
What is a proposed law called?
A bill
What Chamber of Congress has the ability to Impeach an elected official?
The House of Representatives
The Lower House of Congress - closer to the people; lower requirements
US House of Representatives
Who is the leader in the House of Representatives?
Speaker of the House
What power does the Senate have that the House of Representatives does not?
-Power to confirm Presidential Appointments
-Power to ratify Treaties
Who is the back-up leaders in the Senate when the Vice President is not available?
President Pro Tempore
What role does the Senate play in Impeachment?
Try the case; can remove from office if guilty
The Upper House of Congress; tougher requirements
US Senate
How are seats determined in the House of Representatives? What changes that number for each state?
State Populations and the Census
What is the name of the leader of the Senate?
Vice President of the United States
2 Part Question: How often are seats rearranged in the House of Representatives and what causes this change?
Every 10 years after the Census
What is it called when the Congress has a power that is not given by the Constituion?
Implied Powers