5.1- Senate & House
What is gerrymandering?
The act of drawing imaginary lines to separate a state into districts.
What is the purpose of having a President Pro Tempore?
The vice president does not attend all daily meetings, so the pro tempore means "for the time being". He will lead the Senate when the vice president does NOT attend.
What is treason?
Betrayal of one's country; putting one's country in danger
Who can draft a bill?
ANYONE
How long are the terms for the Senate and House?
Senate: 6 years, House: 2 years
What does it mean that we have a "bicameral legislature"?
We have two houses that make-up Congress.
Each term of Congress is divided into how many sessions?
2
How do we limit the powers of the Legislative Branch?
We limit powers by providing states with reserved powers, such as creating schools, marriage/driving laws, etc.
We also limit by making sure Legislative never violates the Bill of Rights, favors a state for trade, grants titles of nobility, and limit money withdrawals.
Can anyone introduce a bill?
No. Anyone can draft a bill, but the bill must go to a sponsor from the legislative branch (of either house) for it to be introduced.
Who is a party whip?
Party whip is the assistants to the majority and minority leaders of Congress
What are the punishments (2) for Congress members who commit offenses?
Censure (for those less serious) and expulsion (most serious)
What are cacuses? What is the initial purpose of a caucus?
Caucuses are private meetings held in Congress. They usually happen at the beginning of a new term, where the houses choose their majority and minority parties/leaders.
What is the impeachment process? Who is the judge?
The Speaker of the House can impeach any government official. Senate then brings the impeached official to trial. The vice president will act as the judge unless the president is being impeached- then, it will be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
When given to one of the houses, what are the general steps to passing a bill?
1) find a sponsor from House or Senate, 2) pass it on to a committee who likes it, 3) the committee will pass it to a subcommittee, 4) the subcommittee will find experts and conduct hearings, 5) the subcommittee will make amendments or changes before sending it back to the committee, 6) the committee will review the changes and vote
How many members do we have in the House and the Senate?
435 in the House, and 100 in the Senate
Congress members get special privileges, like franking privilege and immunity. Explain what they are.
Franking privilege: the right to mail official letters and packages for free
Immunity: legal protection (cannot be arrested in any way that interferes with government duties)
What is a joint session?
When the House and Senate meet together.
How do implied powers relate to the elastic clause?
Implied powers are powers not specifically stated in the constitution. The flexibility to stretch powers to other areas of government is called the elastic clause.
Explain why the steps are generally so long to pass a bill into a law.
There are 6 steps that the bill must go through in one house, until it can finally be passed along to the other chamber of Congress to go through the steps all over again! The two houses must agree before it goes to the president to vote.
Who chooses the president and vice president if we don't get enough electoral votes?
These are special powers- the president will get chosen by the House and the vice president will get chosen by the Senate
Identify the three qualifications to join the Senate and the House.
House: at least 25 years old, 7 year citizen, and reside in the state you represent
Who are the leaders of the House and Senate?
House- Speaker of the House
Senate- Vice President & President Pro Tempore
What are the 5 delegated powers of the Legislative branch?
1) Money/Finances, 2) Trade, 3) Defense, 4) Lower Courts, 5) Immigration/Naturalization
Once a bill is agreed upon by both houses, the president gets 10 days to review the bill. If he doesn't, then the bill is automatically passed. The president can also choose to veto a bill.
What happens when a president vetoes a bill?
The bill goes back to Congress for another vote. Congress can override a veto with 2/3 vote.