Making Laws
What do we call an initial proposal before it becomes a law?
What is a "bill"?
All laws must be paid for by the government
What is the congressional power to tax or borrow money to finance the government?
These members represent a district based on population
What are Representatives in the House of Representatives?
When does the Vice President get a vote in the Senate?
What is a tie vote?
Declares rules on how to become a citizen
What is an enumerated power of Congress?
Bills are referred to a specialized group of lawmakers to draft a bill into legislation for consideration by the whole chamber
What is a committee?
These members represent an entire state
What are Senators
This congressional leader is decided by the majority party in the House of Representatives and is third in the line of succession to the President.
Speaker of the House
30 years old
How old does a Senator need to be?
This requires a vote of 2/3 of chambers of Congress and the support of three-quarters of the state legislatures
What is the process for amending the Constituion?
A vote by the entire chamber
What is a floor vote?
This part of the Constitution is referred to as the ENUMERATED or specifically outlined powers of Congress?
What is Article 1, Section 8
This chamber of Congress initiates tax bills?
House of Representatives
Congress can pass laws for this over this area
What are federal laws?
All 435 members of this chamber of Congress is elected (or reelected) every two years?
What is the House of Representatives?
These committees ensure that the House and Senate version of a bill are identical so that the legislation is consistent to be signed into law by the President
What are conference committees?
These Congressional members have a six-year term of office
What are Senators?
President pro tempore
What is the title of the Senator who presides over the Senate when the Vice President is not present?
This chamber considers the accusations of the House to determine if the President is guilty of charges
What is the trial on impeachment charges in which the Senate determines if the officeholder should be removed?
Protects patents and copyrights
What is an enumerated power of Congress?
This requires both chambers of Congress to support a bill by a 2/3 majority
What is the presidential veto?
This article of the Constitution prohibits Congress from making laws like "ex post facto" laws and other unacceptable laws?
Article 1, Section 9
This chamber of Congress has non-legislative powers such as approving Presidential nominees for the Federal Court, ambassadors, and leaders of the top agencies of the government (Defense, Health & Human Services, Transportation, Education, State)
What is the Senate?
A majority of the House can unseat a President based on specific charges
What is Impeachment
Led by the Vice President of the United States
What is the Senate?