Powers and Benefits
Give me an example of an expressed power.
Declare war, establish post offices, tax, print and coin money, etc.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
Mike Johnson
Who is the President of the Senate?
Vice President
The main person in the majority party that is the head of the committee is known as what?
Chairperson
Which House must any bill start in?
It can start in either.
Why is Congress considered a bicameral legislature?
It has 2 chambers.
What sorts of states would have an at-large district?
Small states with only 1 district.
What amendment changed how Senators are chosen and allowed us to vote on this position?
17th
What is the purpose of committees?
It allows the legislative work to be divided so that each committee can focus on what they are experts in.
Who assigns bills to committees in the House?
Speaker of the House
What party has majority in both Houses?
Democrat
How old must someone be to run for the House?
25
What role does the Senate play in impeachment?
They hold a trial and act as the jury when given the articles of impeachment by the House.
What happens when someone doesn't comply with a congressional subpoena?
They are charged with contempt of Congress.
T/F- Most bills make it out of committee.
False
Why are all Congressional terms 2 years?
Elections for every House seat are 2 years, therefore the makeup of Congress can change.
What is gerrymandering?
When Congressional districts are drawn to favor one political party or another.
What is a filibuster?
When a Senator wants to delay a vote on the bill so they try to draw out the process.
What is Congressional Oversight?
The idea that Congress has the ability to investigate the other 2 branches, as they have the power of impeachment.
Who signs bills into law?
President
What clause of the Constitution do Congresses implied powers come from?
Elastic/Necessary and Proper
What is one thing the House can do that the Senate can't?
Appropriations bills must begin here, vote and adopt articles of impeachment.
Who is the Senate Minority Leader?
Chuck Schumer
When would members form a conference committee?
When the House and Senate cannot agree on a final version of the bill, so they can get together and flesh out the changes before sending it out to the President for a signature.
What happens after the President vetoes a bill?
It goes back to Congress and can be overridden with a 2/3 majority vote in both houses.