The Senate
Each U.S. state has this many senators.
What is two?
These smaller groups within the Senate handle detailed work like reviewing bills.
What are committees?
In Congress, this system gives leadership roles to members who have served the longest.
What is the seniority system?
This is the term for a proposed law introduced in Congress.
What is a bill?
After passing in one chamber, a bill must also be passed in this other chamber before going to the president.
What is the other house of Congress (House or Senate, depending on where it started)?
Senators serve terms that last this many years.
What is six years?
A standing committee is one that does this.
What is meets regularly and permanently to discuss specific areas of legislation?
In the Senate, seniority often determines who gets this influential position in a committee.
What is the chairperson?
A bill can be introduced in either of these two chambers of Congress.
What are the House of Representatives and the Senate?
If the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill, it goes to this kind of committee to reconcile differences.
What is a conference committee?
This officer presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent.
Who is the President pro tempore?
This type of committee is formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
What is a conference committee?
Critics of the seniority system argue it discourages this, especially among newer members.
What is innovation or fresh ideas?
After introduction, a bill is usually sent to one of these for detailed review.
What is a committee?
The president can do this to reject a bill passed by Congress.
What is veto it?
Unlike the House, the Senate has no strict time limits on debate due to this tradition.
What is unlimited debate or the filibuster rule?
This influential Senate committee handles tax policy and entitlement programs.
What is the Senate Finance Committee?
Supporters of the seniority system argue it provides this benefit to committee leadership.
What is experience or stability?
A bill can “die in committee” if this does not happen.
What is if it is not voted out or reported to the full chamber?
Congress can override a presidential veto with this fraction of votes in both chambers.
What is two-thirds?
This exclusive Senate power gives them influence over foreign policy.
What is the power to ratify treaties?
Committee chairpersons have this much power over what legislation gets discussed.
What is the power to schedule hearings, set the agenda, and decide whether bills move forward?
This factor can sometimes outweigh seniority when leadership positions are chosen.
What is party loyalty, effectiveness, or political strategy (any one is acceptable)?
These are small groups within committees that hold hearings and mark up bills.
What are subcommittees?
If the president does not sign a bill within 10 days and Congress is not in session, this happens
What is a pocket veto?