Congress: The Senate and the House - AP Government and Politics
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Which chamber can ratify treaties with foreign nations?
Which chamber can ratify treaties with foreign nations?
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The Senate. Exclusive Senate foreign policy power.
The Senate. Exclusive Senate foreign policy power.
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What is a joint session of Congress?
What is a joint session of Congress?
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A session where both the Senate and House meet together. Used for ceremonial occasions and addresses.
A session where both the Senate and House meet together. Used for ceremonial occasions and addresses.
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What is the difference between a bill and a law?
What is the difference between a bill and a law?
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A bill is a proposed law; a law is enacted legislation. Bills become laws after presidential signature.
A bill is a proposed law; a law is enacted legislation. Bills become laws after presidential signature.
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What is the significance of a standing committee?
What is the significance of a standing committee?
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A permanent committee that oversees bills related to specific issues. Handles most legislative work and expertise.
A permanent committee that oversees bills related to specific issues. Handles most legislative work and expertise.
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What is the bicameral legislature?
What is the bicameral legislature?
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A two-chamber system: Senate and House of Representatives. Balances representation and equal state power.
A two-chamber system: Senate and House of Representatives. Balances representation and equal state power.
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What is the elastic clause?
What is the elastic clause?
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Grants Congress the power to pass all necessary and proper laws. Article I, Section 8 implied powers.
Grants Congress the power to pass all necessary and proper laws. Article I, Section 8 implied powers.
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What is the power of the purse?
What is the power of the purse?
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Congress's power to tax and spend public money. Constitutional power over federal finances.
Congress's power to tax and spend public money. Constitutional power over federal finances.
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What is a quorum in Congress?
What is a quorum in Congress?
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The minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Usually majority of total membership.
The minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Usually majority of total membership.
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Define 'cloture'.
Define 'cloture'.
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A procedure to end a filibuster in the Senate. Requires 60 votes to invoke in Senate.
A procedure to end a filibuster in the Senate. Requires 60 votes to invoke in Senate.
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What is the purpose of a conference committee?
What is the purpose of a conference committee?
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To reconcile House and Senate bill differences. Resolves bicameral legislative differences.
To reconcile House and Senate bill differences. Resolves bicameral legislative differences.
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What is a filibuster?
What is a filibuster?
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A prolonged speech to delay legislative action. Used primarily in the Senate.
A prolonged speech to delay legislative action. Used primarily in the Senate.
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What is the role of the House Majority Leader?
What is the role of the House Majority Leader?
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To lead the majority party in the House. Coordinates party strategy under the Speaker.
To lead the majority party in the House. Coordinates party strategy under the Speaker.
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What is the role of the Senate Majority Leader?
What is the role of the Senate Majority Leader?
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To lead the majority party in the Senate. Coordinates party strategy and floor management.
To lead the majority party in the Senate. Coordinates party strategy and floor management.
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How are Representatives apportioned among the states?
How are Representatives apportioned among the states?
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Based on population. Census data determines seat allocation.
Based on population. Census data determines seat allocation.
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How are Senators elected?
How are Senators elected?
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By popular vote. Direct election established by 17th Amendment.
By popular vote. Direct election established by 17th Amendment.
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Who is the Speaker of the House?
Who is the Speaker of the House?
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The leader of the House of Representatives. Elected by House majority party members.
The leader of the House of Representatives. Elected by House majority party members.
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What is the required citizenship duration to be a U.S. Representative?
What is the required citizenship duration to be a U.S. Representative?
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7 years. Constitutional citizenship requirement for representatives.
7 years. Constitutional citizenship requirement for representatives.
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What is the required citizenship duration to be a U.S. Senator?
What is the required citizenship duration to be a U.S. Senator?
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9 years. Constitutional citizenship requirement for senators.
9 years. Constitutional citizenship requirement for senators.
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Which chamber of Congress has the sole power to impeach the President?
Which chamber of Congress has the sole power to impeach the President?
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The House of Representatives. Sole power granted by Constitution Article I.
The House of Representatives. Sole power granted by Constitution Article I.
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What are the two houses of the United States Congress?
What are the two houses of the United States Congress?
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The Senate and the House of Representatives. Bicameral structure established by the Constitution.
The Senate and the House of Representatives. Bicameral structure established by the Constitution.
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What is the main function of Congress?
What is the main function of Congress?
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To make federal laws. Legislative branch's primary constitutional role.
To make federal laws. Legislative branch's primary constitutional role.
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What is the term length for a U.S. Representative?
What is the term length for a U.S. Representative?
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2 years. Shorter terms ensure frequent accountability.
2 years. Shorter terms ensure frequent accountability.
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How can Congress override a presidential veto?
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
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By a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House. Supermajority required to overturn presidential rejection.
By a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House. Supermajority required to overturn presidential rejection.
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What is the role of the Congressional Budget Office?
What is the role of the Congressional Budget Office?
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To provide economic data and budgetary analysis to Congress. Nonpartisan fiscal analysis for legislative decisions.
To provide economic data and budgetary analysis to Congress. Nonpartisan fiscal analysis for legislative decisions.
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What is the difference between a resolution and a bill?
What is the difference between a resolution and a bill?
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A resolution addresses internal matters; a bill proposes new laws. Resolutions don't require presidential approval.
A resolution addresses internal matters; a bill proposes new laws. Resolutions don't require presidential approval.
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What is the role of the Appropriations Committee?
What is the role of the Appropriations Committee?
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To allocate funding for government programs. Controls federal government spending decisions.
To allocate funding for government programs. Controls federal government spending decisions.
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What is the role of the Rules Committee?
What is the role of the Rules Committee?
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To determine the rules for debate of a bill in the House. Controls House floor debate procedures.
To determine the rules for debate of a bill in the House. Controls House floor debate procedures.
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What is a pocket veto?
What is a pocket veto?
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When the President takes no action on a bill for 10 days while Congress is adjourned. Bill dies without presidential action or signature.
When the President takes no action on a bill for 10 days while Congress is adjourned. Bill dies without presidential action or signature.
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What is the role of the Minority Leader?
What is the role of the Minority Leader?
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To lead the minority party in their respective chamber. Represents opposition party interests and strategy.
To lead the minority party in their respective chamber. Represents opposition party interests and strategy.
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What is the function of a select committee?
What is the function of a select committee?
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A temporary committee for a specific purpose. Created for investigations or special issues.
A temporary committee for a specific purpose. Created for investigations or special issues.
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