Terminology
Cloture
Ending a debate so a vote can happen; a rule used in the senate to stop people from talking and move on to voting.
How did the 17th amendment give voters a more direct voice?
it lets people vote directly for their senators instead of state legislatures choosing them.
Describe the duties and responsibilities of the Speaker of the House
The speaker runs the house, decides which bills are discussed, keeps order, and represents the House. The leader of the majority party.
federalism
A system where power is shared between the national government and the state government.
List several major differences between the House and Senate.
The house is bigger, it's based on population, with 2 year terms and starts money bills. The senate is smaller, equal for all states, with 6 year terms and has unique powers like confirming appointments and ratifying treaties.
Bicameral
The legislature split into two parts; House of representatives and senate
What happens if there is a tie in the electoral college during a presidential election?
the house picks the president and the senate picks the Vice President
Describe the duties and responsibilities of a member of Congress
Makes laws, represents and helps constituents, serves on committees, and checks the government.
Checks and balances
A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches.
Explain the steps in the lawmaking process.
Idea, introduction, Committee Review, Debate, vote, conference committee, Then the president.
Strict Constructionist
A person who believes the government should only do what the constitution says
How did the 27th amendment practice the principle of limited government?
limits congress by preventing them from giving themselves a pay raise until after the next election, showing that the government cannot give itself
Describe how the senate is a continuous body (never all new members) of legislators.
Describe how the senate is a continuous body (never all new members) of legislators.
Virginia Plan
A plan for how states would be represented in Congress, giving more power to states with bigger populations
What are the four things the president can do to a bill?
Pocket pass, Pocket veto, sign, or veto
Pocket pass: when government is in session and the president holds bill for over ten days. Automatically becomes a law
Pocket veto: when the government isn't in session and it has passed 10 days. The bill is vetoed.
Liberal Constructionist
A person who believes the government can do more than what the constitution says, as long as it helps the country.
Who sets Congress’s salary? What limits their choice to give raises every year?
Congress sets their own salary and the 27th amendment stops pay raises until the next election.
What are the impeachment procedures?
The house investigates to see if there is enough evidence on why the official needs to be impeached.
When are national elections held?
Held each year on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Give several examples to illustrate “limited government”
The constitution: The government has to follow the rules; Bill of rights: the government cannot take away freedoms like speech, religion, or a fair trial; Checks and balances: no branch can get too powerful; term limits for President: The president can only serve two terms.
Gerrymandering
when political groups redraw voting district lines to give themselves an advantage in elections.
If a senator resigns or dies in office how is a replacement for the Senator selected?
The governor usually goes for a temporary replacement until a special election is held.
Give examples of the Legislative Branch’s ability to check (as in checks & balances) the Executive and Judicial branches.
Congress can check the president by approving appointments, controlling money, and impeachment, and check judges by approving or impeaching them.
Who are the two Missouri senators?
Josh Hawley (republican) Eric Schnitt (Republican)
Give several examples to illustrate “separation of powers”
Legislative Branch: makes the laws; Executive: enforces the laws; Judicial: interprets laws.; The President can veto bills, but congress can override a veto; courts can declare laws unconstitutional, but congress can pass new laws.