Membership of the House
Qualification and Powers
Qualification and Powers
What is the minimum age requirement to be a member of the House of Representatives?
25 years old
What is the minimum age requirement to be a U.S. Senator?
30 years
What is the term used to describe the two chambers of Congress?
Bicameral legislature
What is the term for the redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes?
Reapportionment
What is the term for an official count of the population conducted every ten years?
Census
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
2 years
How long is the term for the U.S. Senator?
6 years
What is the term used to describe the two chambers of Congress?
To make laws
What is a bicameral legislature?
A legislature with two houses, such as the U.S. Congress
What is the difference between an expressed power and an implied power?
Expressed powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution, while implied powers are not directly stated but necessary to execute expressed powers.
What is the minimum number of years a person must be a U.S. citizen before serving in the House?
What is the minimum number of years a person must be a U.S. citizen before serving in the Senate?
9 years
What is a filibuster, and which chamber uses it?
A filibuster is a prolonged speech to delay a vote; it is used in the Senate.
Define 'gerrymandering'
The practice of drawing district boundaries to benefit a political party
What does 'incumbent' mean in government?
An incumbent is a current officeholder.
What is the total number of voting members in the House of Representatives?
435 members
How many U.S. Senators are there in total?
100 senators
What is the role of the Speaker of the House?
The Speaker of the House leads the House and is second in line to the presidency.
What does 'constituent' mean in a political context?
A person represented by an elected official
Define 'cloture' in the legislative process.
Cloture is a Senate procedure that limits debate and ends a filibuster with a three-fifths vote.
Who has the power to impeach federal officials in the House of Representatives?
The House of Representatives
Who serves as the President of the Senate?
The Vice President of the United States
What power does Congress have over the federal budget?
Congress controls government spending and approves the federal budget.
What is a 'pocket veto'?
A pocket veto occurs when the President does not sign a bill within 10 days, and Congress adjourns.
What is a 'conference committee', and what role does it play in lawmaking?
A conference committee resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.