What does Congress write/create?
Bills or Laws
How are party leaders chosen in Congress?
It is usually the people who have been there the longest (aka the most senior members).
What is the first step in the legislative process?
A bill must be written and proposed.
What is an interest group?
A group of people with a very specific, unified interest (ex: oil companies, amazon, students, teachers, union members)
What is legislation?
The process of creating and passing laws, laws themselves, bills
What does bicameral mean?
Split in 2 parts
The leader of Congress, the most senior member of the majority party.
What can a President do with a bill? (must name at least 2)
How can lobbyists influence lawmakers?
Setting up meetings, sending letters, phone calls, organizing fundraisers, campaign donations
What is the difference between a joint and concurrent resolution?
Joint resolutions need to be signed by the President to be approved and can become laws, Concurrent resolutions do not need to be signed by the President and are not laws.
How does Congress manage its workload?
By having committees about different topics.
Name on type of committee in Congress.
Standing, Sub, Select, Joint
What is a filibuster?
A motion in the Senate that keeps the debate on a bill going indefinitely.
Why do some people criticize lobbying?
Because it has a tendency to benefit the wealthy and large corporations instead of the average person.
What steps are involved in the House's legislative process? (must get 6 of the 8 steps correct)
1. Bill is written and introduced
2. Bill is put in the hopper.
3. Bill is given a number.
4. Bill is sent to committee.
5. The Committee holds hearings.
6. Committee passes the bill and sends it to the Rules Committee.
7. Rules Committee sends it to the House floor.
8. The full House votes on the bill.
What are the 2 chambers of Congress?
What role to whips in Congress play?
They ensure people are voting based on party lines and are in agreement with their party.
What happens to a bill after it passes both chambers?
It is sent to the President.
What do lobbyists do?
What are public and private bills?
Public Bill: benefits the general public
Private Bill: benefits a private interest
What is the main function of Congress?
To write, amend, and pass laws.
Who is the presiding officer of the Senate?
The Vice President
What is a bill?
A draft of a law
What is lobbying?
The act of influencing government officials or legislative bodies to promote or oppose legislation or regulations.
Name the 3 kinds of resolutions.
Simple, Joint, Concurrent