Structure of Congress
This term describes Congress’s two-house structure, established to balance representation between large and small states.
What is bicameral?
This type of power, outlined in Article I, Section 8, includes abilities like coining money and declaring war.
What are enumerated powers?
Only this chamber can originate revenue bills and initiate impeachment proceedings.
What is the House of Representatives?
This leadership role in the House controls the legislative agenda and is second in line for the presidency.
What is the Speaker of the House?
A proposed law in Congress is known as this.
What is a bill?
Members of this chamber represent districts based on population and serve two-year terms.
What is the House of Representatives?
This clause gives Congress the flexibility to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.
What is the necessary and proper clause?
This chamber provides “advice and consent” on treaties and presidential appointments.
What is the Senate?
Members of Congress join these groups to align based on shared interests or policy goals.
What are caucuses?
This process allows Congress to monitor the executive branch and ensure laws are properly implemented.
What is congressional oversight?
This chamber has 100 members, two from each state, who serve six-year terms.
What is the Senate?
This term refers to Congress’s control over federal spending and the ability to approve the budget.
What is the power of the purse?
A treaty negotiated by the president must be approved by this fraction of the Senate.
What is two-thirds?
Senators form these long-term alliances to build support for shared goals, aided by their six-year terms.
What are coalitions?
This procedure in the Senate can block or delay legislation through unlimited debate.
What is a filibuster?
This constitutional amendment allowed for the direct election of senators.
What is the Seventeenth Amendment?
This law limits the president’s ability to commit troops to combat without congressional approval.
What is the War Powers Act?
To remove an impeached federal official, this fraction of the Senate must vote for conviction.
What is two-thirds?
This power allows Congress to control federal spending by requiring all withdrawals from the treasury to have congressional approval.
What is the power of the purse?
A filibuster in the Senate can be ended with this type of vote, requiring 60 senators.
What is a cloture vote?
James Madison described this system as doubling “the people’s security by requiring the concurrence of two distinct bodies.”
What is a bicameral legislature?
Congress uses this power to regulate business between states and with foreign nations.
What is the power to regulate interstate commerce?
This type of committee resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
What is a conference committee?
These groups within Congress unite members around shared concerns or goals and can develop legislation but are not officially part of the lawmaking process.
What are caucuses?
Before a bill becomes law, it must pass both chambers of Congress and receive this from the president.
What is a signature?