Congress Basics
A population count used to determine a state’s representation in the House.
Census
$100: The number of members in the House of Representatives.
435
$100: The number of members in the Senate.
100
$100: A permanent committee in Congress.
standing committee
$100: The vote required in both houses to pass a bill.
½ plus 1
$100: The act requiring the President to notify Congress when committing military troops.
the War Powers Act
$100: Who calls a special session of Congress?
the President
$200: People living in a congressman’s district or state.
Constituents
$200: Required age to be a U.S. Representative.
25
$200: Required age to be a U.S. Senator.
30
$200: The House committee that decides the order of debate for bills.
Rules Committee
$200: If the President does nothing for 10 days and Congress is in session, what happens to a bill?
It becomes a law.
$200: Assistants to the majority and minority leaders.
whips
$200: The number of Representatives Florida has been apportioned.
What is 29 (27 in the House + 2 Senators)
$300: Redrawing district lines after the decennial census.
reapportionment
$300: The term of office for a U.S. Representative.
2 years
$300: The term of office for a U.S. Senator.
6 years
$300: A committee made up of members of both houses to work out compromises.
joint committee
$300: If the President vetoes a bill, what fraction of Congress is needed to override it?
2/3 of each house
What are PACs?
Political Action Committees - Special interest groups that raise money to help elect lawmakers.
$300: The two Senators from Florida.
Rick Scott & Ashley Moody
Explain gerrymandering
Drawing district lines to favor a political party or individual.
$400: The leader of the House of Representatives. Name the current one.
Speaker of the House
Mike Johnson
$400: The leader of the Senate when the Vice President is absent.
President pro Tempore
What is a filibuster?
Senate action used to delay or kill a bill by talking endlessly.
What is the hopper?
Place where bills are introduced in the House.
What is fiat money?
Paper money whose value depends on the trust in the government that issues it.
Who assigns bills to the appropriate committee in the House?
Speaker of the House
Main role of Congress
Name one of Congress' enumerated powers
Make laws
Declare war; coin money; impeach; etc.
$500: Name 3 franking privileges.
paid postage, travel, and parking
The fraction of Senators up for reelection every 2 years.
Explain the reason for this rule.
one-third
It promotes stability and accountability in the Senate.
The vote of 3/5 of the Senate to stop a filibuster.
Explain pigeonholing.
Act of filing a bill away and taking no further action.
Another name for the Elastic Clause AND what it says
Necessary and proper clause
Allows Congress to make any laws necessary to carry out its duties
Define Social Security and evaluate its constitutionality.
Provides financial assistance to the elderly and disabled
It is technically constitutional, but has greatly expanded federal power. Madison and others cautioned against broad interpretation.
Congress has the power to “lay and collect Taxes… to provide for the general Welfare of the United States.”
See study guide