Powers of Congress
What are the specific powers listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution called?
The enumerated powers
In order to run for a seat in the House of Representatives, at least how old must someone be?
25
Who is the elected leader who presides over the House of Representatives?
The Speaker of the House
What happens after a bill is first introduced in the House or Senate?
They are sent to the appropriate standing committee.
How long are terms in the Senate?
Six years
What are the powers of Congress that are not specifically listed in the Constitution called?
The implied powers
In order to run for a seat in the Senate, at least how old must someone be?
30
What kind of committee is created for temporary purposes, such as to conduct an investigation?
special committee
After being actively considered in a committee, what happens to a bill?
It is debated on the floor of the House or Senate
Amendments can be proposed by a vote in both chambers of at least what fraction?
at least 2/3
What is the "necessary and proper"/elastic clause?
The clause that gives Congress the power to make all laws which are "necessary and proper" for carrying into execution the enumerated powers.
In order to run for a seat in the House, at least how many years must someone have been a US citizen?
7 years
What kind of committee deals with bills on a particular issue/topic?
standing committee
In order for a bill to be sent to the other chamber of Congress for consideration, at least what fraction/percentage vote of approval must the bill receive?
51%; at least more than half
What fraction of the states are required to approve of an Amendment in order for it to become law?
Name at least 3 of the enumerated powers.
Power to tax and spend money. Power to borrow money. Power to regulate interstate commerce. Power to regulate immigration and naturalization. Power to print and coin money (punish counterfeiters). Power to establish post offices. Power to establish patents and copyrights. Power to declare war. Power to establish lower federal courts. Power to raise and support armies. Power to maintain a navy.
In order to run for a seat in the Senate, at least how many years must someone have been a US citizen?
9 years
Who presides over the Senate when the Vice President, the one who normally presides, is absent?
President pro tempore of the Senate
What is it called when a senator talks endlessly to delay the vote on a bill?
The filibuster
What powers of the President must be confirmed by the Senate?
Presidential appointments and treaties.
What was the name of the Supreme Court case which used the elastic clause to uphold the constitutionality of the national bank?
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Currently, how many senators and members of the House are there?
100 senators and 435 representatives for a total of 535.
What is a conference committee?
A committee with members from both chambers of Congress which eliminates inconsistencies between House and Senate versions of the same bill.
When is a bill considered to be "pocket vetoed"?
When a session of Congress ends within 10 days of the bill being presented to the President and he/she refuses to sign it
Why did Thomas Jefferson invent the swivel chair?
Because he was so down with revolutions