Where do bills go to be studied in depth? Who sends them there in the House of Representatives? Who sends them in the Senate?
Committees. Speaker of the House. Majority Leader.
100
Where in the Constitution are Congress's powers outlined?
Article I, sec 8
100
What is the top job in the House of Representatives? What is the top job in the Senate?
House = Speaker of the House
Senate = Majority Leader
100
What do you call a representative who is already in office? (Hint: they go up against a challenger in elections.)
The incumbent
200
How long are the terms in the House and Senate?
House = 2 years
Senate = 6 years
200
What is a veto? What is a veto override? What does it take to override a presidential veto?
A veto is when the president says no to a bill becoming law. If the president vetos a bill, it goes back to Congress, which can make the bill law without his signature if they can pass it with a 2/3 majority in both houses.
200
Where in the constitution did the framers establish bicameralism?
Article I, sec. 1
200
Who is the current Speaker of the House?
John Boehner
200
What are two jobs of a member of Congress?
To pass laws and to represent constituents.
300
How is it decided how many representatives each state gets? What is the process of redrawing the congressional maps called?
Census is taken every 10 years and representation is based on population (in the House.) The process of redrawing the congressional maps is called reapportionment (or redistricting.)
300
What does the rules committee do? What is an open rule? What is a closed rule?
The Rules Committee sets the rules for the floor debate (time for each speaker, etc.) Open rule = amendments can be made by anyone when the bill is debated on the full floor. Closed rule = no amendments, up or down vote.
300
Who does the Constitution say is the official (although basically powerless) President of the Senate? What is this person's only power in the Senate?
The Vice President of the US. To cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
300
What is the job of the Whip?
To enforce party discipline. In other words, they make sure members of their parties stay in line (i.e. vote with their fellow party members.)
300
If a member of Congress thinks of what "the folks back home" what him/her to do when deciding how to vote on a bill, what role are they playing?
They are playing the role of a delegate.
400
Which chamber is it more difficult to pass a bill in?
The Senate
400
A bill can die if the president receives it and does nothing for 10 days with Congress is out of session. What is this called?
A pocket veto
400
What are the qualifications for serving in the House of Representatives? What about the Senate?
House = 25 years old, 7 years a citizen, live in the district.
Senate = 30 years old, 9 years a citizen, live in the state you represent.
400
What is the name of "team Democrat" in the House of Representatives? (the group that chooses leadership positions and strategizes against the Republicans.)
The Democratic Caucus
400
What is one arguement in favor of congressional term limits? What is one arguement against them?
Answers may very. Hendrikson will be the judge.
500
What was the name of the historic compromise that gave us bicammeralism?
The Connecticut Compromise
500
What kills a filibuster? How many votes does it take to pass this motion?
A cloture motion. 60 votes.
500
In the event of a vacancy in the Senate (i.e. someone dies or retires) who decides who is going to fill the seat?
The Governor of the State in which the vacancy occurs.
500
What are the top two goals of the parties in congress?
1. To get their members reelected
2. To make laws that they agree with
500
What is the job of a Conference Committee
If the House and Senate pass a different version of the same bill, a Conference Committee is formed to iron out the differences between the two bills. The House and Senate must pass an identical bill for it to become law.