Meet the Members
You must be at least this many years old to become a member of the House of Representatives.
What is 25 years old?
The House's exclusive power to initiate revenue bills is also known by this fiscal nickname.
What is the "power of the purse"?
This person is the elected, presiding officer of the House and the most important position in Congress.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
These are permanent committees, like the 20 in the House and 16 in the Senate, where similar bills are sent.
What are standing committees?
Impeachment is the formal this of wrongdoing, not the actual removal from office.
What is an accusation (or charge)?
A Senator must be a citizen of the United States for at least this many years.
What is nine years?
The Senate has the sole power to confirm these, which are made by the President.
What are presidential appointments?
This executive branch official is always the President of the Senate and can only vote in the event of a tie.
Who is the Vice President of the United States?
This stalling tactic, essentially an attempt to "talk a bill to death," can only be used in the Senate.
What is a filibuster?
This chamber of Congress has the sole power of impeachment (to bring the charges).
What is the House of Representatives?
This is the length of a term for a U.S. Senator.
What is six years?
This amendment gives Congress the power to levy an income tax without basing it on the U.S. Census.
What is the 16th Amendment?
These individuals, usually connected to special interest groups, try to influence the legislative process.
Who are lobbyists?
This temporary, joint committee is organized to "iron out" differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.
What is a conference committee?
This chamber of Congress has the sole power to try (judge) impeachment cases.
What is the Senate?
Passed in 1913, this amendment gave American citizens the power to directly elect their Senators.
What is the 17th Amendment?
The Senate's power to approve appointments and ratify treaties is known by this two-word phrase.
What is "advice and consent"?
These assistant floor leaders act as a liaison between party leadership and members, and they keep track of votes.
Who are the Whips?
This Senate rule, which requires a 3/5ths (or 60-member) vote, is used to limit debate and end a filibuster.
What is cloture?
This is the fraction of the Senate vote required to convict and remove an official from office.
What is two-thirds (2/3rds)?
The Senate is known as this type of "body" because only about one-third of its seats are up for election every two years.
What is a continuous body?
The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to elect this person in the event of an Electoral College tie.
Who is the President?
According to the text, a positive aspect of lobbying is that lobbyists can do this for legislators, while a negative aspect is that groups with the most of this are more likely to succeed.
What is educate them and what is money?
This is when the President refuses to sign a bill into law.
What is a veto?
When the President of the United States is on trial, this person serves as the judge.
Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?