An official population count made every ten years.
What is a census
100
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
What is 435 members
100
How many members are in the Senate?
What is 100 members
100
The powers of Congress are based on the U.S. _______________.
Constitution
100
Who writes up the bills and introduces them to the either the House or Senate?
A senator or representative (a member of Congress)
200
The use of long speeches to prevent a Senate vote
What is a filibuster
200
How many members of the 435 total members are elected every 2 years?
What is the entire House (all members)
200
What proportion of the Senate is up for election every two years?
1/3 of the Senate every two years
200
__________________ powers are the main powers given to Congress.
Delegated powers
200
HR 1215 (Title of a bill)
What does "HR" stand for in the title of the bill?
What does "1215" stand for in the title of the bill?
HR = House of Representatives
1215 = order the bill was introduced in the session of Congress
300
The right to mail official letters free of charge
What is the Franking privilege
300
The head officer of the House - presides over House sessions and decides who may speak
What is the Speaker of the House
300
Who is the head officer of the Senate (but may only vote if there is a tie)? Who presides over the Senate when this head officer is not present ("president for the time being")?
Vice president; president pro tempore
300
A formal charge brought against a government official.
What is impeachment
300
What type of committee is a bill sent to after both the House and the Senate agree on versions of the bill?
What is a conference committee
400
This person guides party's proposed laws through Congress and is chief officer of his or her party in the House or Senate.
What is a Floor Leader
400
Representatives are based on a state's ______________. Pennsylvania has a total of _____ representatives. Who is our district 12 representative?
population; 18; Bill DeWeese
400
Name our two Pennsylvania Senators.
Pat Toomey, Bob Casey
400
The _____________ _____________ of the Constitution give Congress the ability to expand its delegated powers.
What is the elastic clause
400
What are the president's three options when a bill is sent to his desk?
sign it (becomes a law); veto it; pocket veto (don't do anything for 10 days)
500
This person assists the floor leaders and tries to persuade members to support party positions.
What is a Party Whip
500
A representative must be at least ______ years old, an American citizen for _____ years, and a resident of the _____ where they were elected.
25 years old, 7 years, state
500
A representative must be at least ______ years old, an American citizen for _____ years, and a resident of the _____ where they were elected.
30 years old; 9 years; state
500
Explain how Congress defends the Nation.
Explain how Congress provides for growth in the nation.
Defending the Nation: declare war, maintain army/navy
Providing for Growth: provide admission of new states, regulate immigration & pass naturalization laws.
500
Name four out of the five places an idea for a bill can originate?
U.S. citizens, members of Congress, organized groups, committees, the president