The fancy word for the type of legislative body we have: Made up of 2 bodies, a House and Senate.
What is bicameral?
100
A tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until the bill's sponsor withdraws it.
What is the filibuster?
100
The Supreme Court case that gave Congress most of its implied powers though a broad interpretation of the 'Necessary and Proper' clause.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
100
The leader of the Senate when the VP is not present.
What is the President Pro Tempore?
100
A population count that happens every ten years (impacts redistricting and gerrymandering)
What is a census?
200
Made up by, or supported by both parties. (Dems and GOP)
What is bipartisan?
200
These are the powers given to the legislative branch in the actual words of the Constitution (and their only powers if you are a strict constructionist)
What are the expressed powers?
200
The clause that has been so broadly interpreted that it give Congress the power to regulate almost anything that involves money.
What is the 'commerce' clause?
200
The guy who likes to cry on camera and is currently Speaker of the House.
Who is John Boehner?
200
When unrelated amendments are made to a bill (usually to get extra votes)
What is a rider (or pork)?
300
This was the compromise that is one of the reasons that we have two houses of Congress (because both the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan were short sighted).
What was the Connecticut Compromise (or the Great Compromise of 1787)?
300
This is the power of Congress to take your land (as long as they "justly" compensate you). Found in the Fifth Amendment.
What is Eminent Domain?
300
He is the current Associate Justice of the Supreme Court who is the primary champion of strict constructionism (when it suits his political purposes). He is also very funny and clever.
Who is Antonin Scalia?
300
The number of Members in the House of Representatives since the Apportionment Act of 1911.
What is 435?
300
This is the number of Senators who can override a Presidential veto.
What is 67 (or 2/3)?
400
This is a legislative measure requiring approval from both the House and the Senate.
What is a joint resolution?
400
This is the primary function of Congress (though the current one is historically bad at it).
What is making laws?
400
This clause is also mentioned in the Preamble and gives the many reasons why Congress can levy taxes.
What is the (General) Welfare Clause?
400
The only branch of government that can declare war.
What is the legislative branch (Congress)?
400
The process of making ridiculous shaped congressional districts to help win elections for the party in power.
What is gerrymandering?
500
The names of the two houses of Parliament from which we got the idea of a bicameral legislature.
What are the House of Lords and Commons?
500
Acquiring new territories or states; deporting aliens; formally recognizing other countries (through diplomats); setting and controlling borders.
What are inherent powers of Congress?
500
He was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who wrote the majority opinion in McCulloch v. Maryland and Marbury v. Madison.
Who was John Marshall?
500
This is the process of removing someone from office (including Presidents).