House of Representatives
Representatives are elected from
- Presidential appointments
- Congress
- Gerrymandering
- Congressional districts
Congressional districts
What is the term for a Senator?
6 years
What is the main task of each house of Congress?
to make laws
Before both houses of Congress pass it and the President signs it, a proposed bill is called
- filibuster
- rule
- law
- quorum
Law
These special interest groups influence lawmakers to vote in favor of their programs.
- PACs
- political leaders
- political parties
- policymakers
PACs (Political Action Committees)
This person is the Speaker's top assistant.
Majority Leader
Which assistant makes sure that legislators are present for key votes in the Senate?
Whips
The "Necessary and Proper" clause sets up the use of what kind of powers in Congress?
implied powers
This is what you call the President's refusal to sign a bill.
Veto
This is one of the most important influences on a lawmaker's voting behavior.
- Political Party ID
- Revenue generated by votes
- Lawmaker's education
- Lawmaker's world view
Political Party ID
On issues that affect their constituents' daily lives, most members of congress vote according to...
- religious beliefs
- needs of the nation
- needs of their district
- their consciences
needs of their district
A Senator can "talk freely", with the freedom to express their opinion, on a bill if he wishes to stall, or even kill a bill, by using this technique. (hint: Strom Thurmond used this technique to talk against the Civil Rights Act of 1957 by talking for 24 hours and 18 minutes.)
filibuster
What are expressed powers?
Powers given to the Legislative branch that are written directly into the Constitution.
What is the name of the box a proposed bill is dropped into so that it can be introduced to Congress?
Hopper
The major reason lawmakers vote along party lines is that they
- are influenced by PACs
- do not care about constituent's opinions
- are influenced by lobbyists
- have similar beliefs about public policy
have similar beliefs about pubic policy
What are the three qualifications to become a member of the House of Representatives?
25 years old
citizen for 7 years
live in the state representing
What are the three qualifications to become a member of the Senate?
30 years old
citizen for 9 years
live in the state representing
Name the legislative powers of Congress
Taxing and Spending
Other Money
Commerce
Foreign Policy
Providing for the Nation's Growth
Other Powers (copyrights/patents, establish courts, establish post office)
True or False?
A bill can pass through either the House of Representatives or the Senate before it sent to the President to sign into law.
False. The bill must pass through both houses of Congress, in the same form, before it is sent to the President for approval.
A person who takes part in an organized attempt to persuade a legislator.
Speaker of the House
Paul Ryan
Who is the presiding officer in the Senate? What is the name of the person who currently is in this role? Who presides if this person is not available?
Vice President
Mike Pence
President Pro Tempore
What are the nonlegislative powers of Congress?
Choose a President
Removal Power (Impeachment)
Confirmation Power (Senate)
Ratification Power (Senate)
Amendment Power
How many votes are needed to override a Presidential veto?
2/3 majority vote of those present in both houses of Congress
What are two ways that you can influence Congress?
write letter(s) to Representatives and/or Senators, become involved with special interest groups, participate in/organize campaign fundraisers, work on candidate's campaign team