House vs. Senate
Congress Has the Power
Leadership and Committees
The Process of Congress
More Fun
100
Which is the upper house of Congress?
Senate
100
How can the president check Congress's power?
The President can veto bills
100
Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?
The Speaker of the House
100
Define gerrymandering.
Redistricting in a way that favors one group of voters above another
Baker v Carr: Supreme Court can weigh in on cases concerning redistricting under the 14th amendment
Shaw v. Reno: racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional
100
How many stars are on the US flag?
50
200
How long is the term for a Senator?
6 years
(Representatives have 2-year terms)
200
How can the Supreme Court check Congress's powers?
The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.
200
Who is the leader of the Senate?
- the Vice President
- the president pro tempore
200
What role do congressional committees play in the federal budget process?
the House and Senate appropriations committees set budgets for departments, agencies, and bureaus
200
What branch of the government is Congress?
legislative
300
What is the chamber size for the House?
435
(Senate chamber size is 100)
300
What Article of the Constitution outlines Congress and its powers?
Article One
300
What is the role of the House Rules Committee?
Determines how a certain piece of legislation will be debated
- how long
- when
- can amendments be made
300
Give an example of mandatory spending.
- entitlement programs
- social security
- medicare
- medicaid
- unemployment
- veterans' benefits
- federal employee benefits
- debt payment
300
What is the incumbent advantage?
Someone who is already in office is more likely to be elected because they have more media coverage, more funding, and other advantages.
400
Name one of the specialized powers of the House.
- Laws that fund government begin in the house.
- The House can impeach (begin the process by making an accusation).
- Breaks a tie in a presidential election.
400
Who holds the power to filibuster?
Senators
400
What is the leader of a committee called?
committee chair
400
What is the majority of discretionary spending laid aside for?
military spending
400
What are the three different roles that members of Congress play?
- politico
- delegate
- trustee
500
Name one of the specialized powers of the Senate.
- The Senate holds impeachment trials.
- Confirms presidential appointments.
- Gives consent to treaties.
(House also approves appointments to the Vice Presidency and consents to treaties concerning foreign trade.)
500
How can Congress override a veto?
2/3 vote in each house
500
Name the four types of committees.
- standing: permanent committees that consider legislative and exercise oversight of bureaucratic agencies
- joint: committees that contain members from both the House and Representatives and the Senate that focus public attention of an issue, gather information, for Congress, or help party leaders speed things along in the legislative process
- conference: a temporary joint committee formed to resolve differences between a House and Senate version of a bill
- select: temporary bodies usually called upon to investigate an issue, sometimes in response to a crisis or scandal
500
How much support does a bill need to pass through Congress?
a majority in both houses
500
Which foundational document defends the use of checks and balances and separation of powers in the government?
Federalist 51