INTRO TO CONGRESS
This branch of government is responsible for making laws.
What is the legislative branch?
Members of Congress represent these people.
Who are constituents?
Most of the work of Congress happens in these smaller groups.
What are committees?
This chamber has 435 voting members.
What is the House of Representatives?
This power allows Congress to collect taxes.
What is the power to tax?
Congress is described as bicameral, meaning it has these two parts.
What are the House of Representatives and the Senate?
This representative role involves voting exactly how constituents want.
What is a delegate?
These permanent committees specialize in specific policy areas.
What are standing committees?
This chamber gives each state equal representation.
What is the Senate?
This clause allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its duties.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
This article of the Constitution establishes Congress.
What is Article I?
This role involves using personal judgment to make decisions.
What is a trustee?
These temporary committees are formed for a specific purpose.
What are select committees?
Members of the House serve terms lasting this many years.
What is two years?
This power allows Congress to regulate trade between states.
What is the commerce power?
One major role of Congress is to limit the power of the other branches through this system.
What is checks and balances?
This role blends delegate, trustee, and partisan roles depending on the issue.
What is a politico?
These committees resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
What are conference committees?
This amendment changed how senators are chosen by voters.
What is the 17th Amendment?
This non-legislative power allows Congress to remove federal officials from office.
What is impeachment?
This concept explains why Congress monitors the executive branch to ensure laws are properly carried out.
What is oversight?
This challenge occurs when representatives must balance local interests with these broader concerns.
What are national interests?
This person has major influence over which bills are discussed in committee.
Who is the committee chair?
This Senate power allows unlimited debate unless members vote to stop it.
What is the filibuster?
This process involves redrawing congressional district boundaries, sometimes unfairly.
What is gerrymandering?