Representative Democracy
Without Congress, the first three words of the Constitution would mean nothing. They are
What is "We the People"?
Congress is split into two bodies. They are the...
What is the House of Representatives and the Senate?
A member of the House must be ____ years old, while a member of the Senate must be ___ years old.
What is a member of the House must be 25 years old, while a member of the Senate must be 30 years old?
American citizens engaging in civic life looks like...(name at least two ways)
What is
1) voting in elections
2) knowing who their representatives are and contacting them with questions and concerns
3) staying informed on important issues before the community and nation
4) working to improve communities
5) support a candidate
6) run for office?
Article 1 of the Constitution focuses on...
What is Congress?
The key powers granted to Congress are...
What is to lay and collect taxes, appropriate money for specified purposes, regulate commerce, establish rules for naturalization, declare war, raise and support armies?
The _____ presides over the House and sets the agenda, or in other words they decide what issues the House of Representatives will focus on during their session
What is the Speaker of the House?
The basic job of Congress is to...
What is vote on behalf of constituents and represent their concerns in debate or discussion?
What does this quote mean, "The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen."- Justice Louis Brandeis
What is ordinary people participating in government is a requirement for our democracy to function.
This power granted to Congress allows it to collect money from individuals and businesses to fund government programs and pay off debts.
What is the power to tax?
What are three different ways the text suggests Congress impacts our daily lives...
Answers may vary.
The ___ members of the House of Representatives are elected every __ years. The ___ members of the Senate hold ___ year terms with staggered elections so that only ____ are up for reelection at one time.
What is the 435 members of the House of Representatives are elected every 2 years. The 100 members of the Senate hold 6 year terms with staggered elections so that only 1/3 are up for reelection at one time?
A _______ is the spokes person for a member who communicates with media on their behalf while a ______ drafts and tracks legislation on specific issues for the member.
What is a Press Secretary is the spokes person for a member who communicates with media on their behalf while a Legislative Assistant drafts and tracks legislation on specific issues for the member?
What are five ways you can contact, or stay in touch, with a member of Congress mentioned in the text?
What is write, call, fax, email, attend a public meeting, make an appointment, and website/ social media?
Congress has the power to regulate this, which includes trade between states and foreign nations.
What is commerce?
What are the biggest areas of Congressional spending, and what is the TOTAL percentage of spending?
Social Security 19%, National Defense 19%, Medicare 12%=
What is 50% of total spending?
What happens to bills in committees? Do bills typically make it out of committees?
What is Committees:
1) review bills that have been introduced
2) hold hearings about its merit (how good it is)
3) offer changes to bills
4) refer it to the full House or Senate
5) only a small fraction make it out of committee?
The basic qualifications for the House and Senate are...
What is House: 25 years old, 7 years a citizen, must live in the state you represent?
What is Senate: 30 years old, 9 years a citizen, must live in the state you represent?
Only 1 in 3 Americans reportedly...
What is can name their member of Congress and has visited, written, emailed, or phoned a member or Congress?
Congress has the power to raise and support this, which is crucial to the defense of the country. It also has the power to send them to active work.
What is the military? What is to declare war?
Congress is often criticized for taking too long to act. This is likely to happen because...
What isCongress has to:
1) hear the viewpoints of diverse Americans,
2) find compromises among those views,
3) and create laws that reflect the consensus?
How does Congress decide which party (Democrat or Republican) is the majority or minority party?
What roles does the majority party serve in the House and Senate?
What is the party with the most members elected is the majority?
For example out of the 435 representatives there are 220 Republicans, 211 Democrats, and 4 vacant seats.
What is The Republicans have a majority and serve as Speaker and Majority Leader?
In the Senate, the Republicans have 49 seats, and the Democrats have 47 seats but 4 Independent seats side with Democrats and so the Democrats hold a majority.
What is The Democrats serve as President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader?
Why is a member called a "Watchdog"? What must a Congress member know to be an effective overseer?How does this relate to checks and balances?
What is The Congress oversees the Executive Branch (President) to ensure efficiency, probing misconduct, and recommending changes?
What is Congress must be informed on national and international issues to oversee the Executive effectively and be able to explain this to the people?
What is the Congress (Legislative) checks the power of the Executive (President) through oversight to ensure they do not become to powerful or abuse their power?
What percentage of people do not turn out to vote in congressional elections during nonpresidential years? How does their disengagement impact our democracy?
What is 60%?
What is the system cannot be responsive to their needs and will not reflect their will. It will only reflect 40% of the people and people will be elected who might not represent all Americans beliefs?
Congress has exclusive authority over this territory which means any laws passed here can be overthrown by the federal government? (Hint" Donald Trump has promised to take over its government and police if elected.)
What is Washington, D.C.?