The House of Representatives
The Senate
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Congressional Committees
Checks and Balances
100

Any Bill dealing with this must begin in the House of Representatives.

What is revenue/taxing?

100

This Amendment led to the greatest single change in the history of the Senate.

What is the 17th Amendment?

100

This is the process through which all districts receive pork barrel projects or “earmarks.”

What is appropriations?

100

These are the permanent committees in the Congress.

What are standing?

100

This body is empowered to impeach a President

What is the House of Representatives?

200

Currently, Mike Johnson is the most powerful person in the Congress, he holds this leadership position.

What is Speaker of the House?

200

This individual is the President of the Senate and casts a vote when there is a tie.

Who is the Vice-President?

200

During these sessions, committees may amend, add to, or remove legislation from a bill.

What is Mark-Up?

200

Members of this body must serve on more committees and thus tend to be policy-generalists.

What is the Senate? 

200

The Senate needs this many votes to convict and remove a President from power.

What is 2/3rds?

300

This House committee is responsible for determining the length of debate on a Bill and the type of amendments that may be offered.

What is the Rules Committee?

300

The Treaty of Versailles was NOT ratified because it failed to receive this vote in the United States Senate.

What is a 2/3rds?

300

An informal practice where a senator informs Senate leadership do not wish a particular measure or nomination to reach the floor for consideration

What is a hold?

300

These are formed by most committees to share specific tasks, such as the initial consideration of measures and oversight of laws and programs.

What are subcommittees?

300

This is the vote needed in each body of the Congress for a veto override to take place.

What is 2/3rds?

400

If the House and Senate versions of a Bill are substantially different they will be sent to this type of joint committee.

What is a Conference Committee?

400

This type of vote, needing 60 Senators, can end a filibuster.

What is a Cloture?

400

Non-germane amendments are known as this.

What is a rider?

400

This committee, in both the House and the Senate, is responsible for guiding bills dealing with spending and “doling out” money.

What is budget?

400

This Supreme Court case established the power of the judicial branch to declare laws unconstitutional.

What is Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

500

The ability of a member to bring a bill to the floor for consideration without a report from the committee 

What is a discharge petition?

500

Through this process, a Senator has control over the appointment of federal district judges who will serve in their state.

What is confirmation?
500

This is the amount of days a President has to take action on a bill.

What is ten days?

500

This committee is established for a temporary purpose and usually lasts for only one Congress.

What is select?

500

This Act mandates that the President inform Congress within 48 hours of putting troops into action.

What is the War Powers Act of 1973?