congress basics
Q: How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
2 years
Q: Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?
speaker of the house
Q: Name 3 thing the President can do with a bill.
sign, veto, ignore, pocket veto
Q: What is the power to collect taxes called?
levy taxes
Q: What is separation of powers?
3 branches
Q: How long is a term for a U.S. Senator?
6 years
Q: What is a Majority Leader?
leader of the party with most seats
Q: What is the markup process?
edit and revise bill
Q: What are expressed powers?
written directly in constitution
Q: What does the writ of habeas corpus protect citizens from?
A: Being held in jail without being told the reason.
define gerrymandering
A: Redrawing district lines to give a political party an advantage.
Q: What is a Whip’s main job?
Q: What is a rider?
unrelated addition to bill
Q: What clause gives Congress flexibility to make laws they need to carry out their duties?
A: The Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause).
Q: What is the purpose of checks and balances?
A: To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Q: Where do most bills die during the legislative process?
committee
Q: Who leads committees in Congress?
committee chairperson from majority party
Q: What type of vote records each lawmaker’s individual vote?
roll-call vote
Q: What is impeachment?
A: The process of charging a government official with wrongdoing; the House impeaches and the Senate holds the trial.
Q: Which branch of government makes laws?
legislative
Q: What happens if a Senate seat becomes vacant?
governor appoints
Q: What is a Floor Leader?
main spokesperson for party during debates
Q: Who chooses the President if no candidate wins a majority of Electoral College votes?
house of reps
Q: Which branch has the constitutional power to declare war?
congress
Q: Explain why Congress has two houses (bicameral legislature).
balance power between large and small states, compromise?