Congress Grab Bag
Jack Reed (D), Sheldon Whitehouse (D)
Where do all REVENUE bills originate: the House or the Senate?
The House of Representatives
Why do we have Checks and Balances?
To prevent one branch of government from having too much power
What do we call the leader of the US House of Representatives?
Speaker of the House (current seatholder: Mike Johnson, R-LA)
How old do you have to be to run for a seat in the House of Representatives?
25 years old
How many Expressed Powers are given to Congress in the Constitution?
17 (right to collect taxes, coin money, raise an army, declare war, determine citizenship laws, open post offices, protect inventions, etc.)
Who has the power to approve Presidential cabinet appointments: the House or Senate?
The Senate
Name one way Congress checks the Presidency
What does BICAMERAL mean?
Two chambers of Congress (one based on population, one with equal representation)
How old do you have to be to run for a seat in the US Senate?
30 years old
Who represents Rhode Island's District 2 in the House of Representatives?
Seth Magaziner
Who has the power of unlimited debate and FILIBUSTERS: the House or Senate?
Senate
Name one way Congress checks the Judicial Branch
The Senate has the power to approve Presidential judicial nominees. Congress also has the power to make a federal law that overturns a Supreme Court ruling (i.e. codification of abortion law)
What do we call powers that are given to Congress that are written in the Constitution?
EXPRESSED Powers
True or False: You have to live in your specific Congressional district in order to run for that district's seat in the House.
FALSE (As long as you live in the state, you're good!)
What is the Elastic Clause? (also known as the "Necessary and Proper Clause")
The clause that gives Congress the power to carry out the 17 expressed powers (i.e. making a minimum wage, military draft, establishing a national bank)
Who has the power to override Presidential vetoes: House, Senate, or Both?
Both the House and Senate have the power to override a Presidential veto
Name one way the Executive Branch checks Congress
The President can VETO bills, Vice President can break a tie in the Senate
Who has the ability to come up with an idea for a bill?
ANYONE (as long as they propose it to a member of Congress)
How long are terms in the House of Representatives?
2 Years
What is an intra-branch check?
A check within a branch (the House checks the Senate since all revenue bills start there and they have the power to initiate impeachment proceedings; both the House and Senate must pass bills)
If no one receives the minimum 270 Electoral Votes to win the presidency, who decides the winner: House or Senate?
Name one way the Judicial Branch can check Congress
The Supreme Court can declare an act of Congress UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Who has the power to give "advice and consent" by approving/rejecting Presidential judicial nominees: House or Senate?
Senate
How long are terms in the Senate?
6 Years