All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the role of the President pro tempore?
Answer: Presides over the Senate in the Vice President's absence. Usually the longest-serving senator from the majority party.
Flashcard 2: What is gerrymandering?
Answer: Manipulating district boundaries for political gain. Often used to create safe seats or dilute opposition voting power.
Flashcard 3: Which option defines a quorum in Congress?
Answer: Minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Usually a majority of members in each chamber.
Flashcard 4: Identify the amendment that allows for direct election of Senators.
Answer: The 17th Amendment. Previously, state legislatures chose senators instead of voters.
Flashcard 5: What is a discharge petition?
Answer: A motion to bring a bill out of committee for a vote. Bypasses committee chairs who block popular legislation.
Flashcard 6: What is the purpose of a select committee?
Answer: Investigate specific issues not covered by standing committees. Temporary committees for focused investigations or special issues.
Flashcard 7: What is a whip in Congress?
Answer: An official who ensures party discipline and vote alignment. Counts votes and pressures members to follow party positions.
Flashcard 8: What is the difference between a bill and a resolution?
Answer: A bill proposes law; a resolution addresses internal matters. Bills become law if passed; resolutions express congressional opinion.
Flashcard 9: Identify one factor influencing congressional voting behavior.
Answer: Constituency interests. Members consider voter preferences when making legislative decisions.
Flashcard 10: What is a joint session of Congress?
Answer: A meeting of both the House and Senate together. Often used for special occasions like State of the Union.
Flashcard 11: What is a continuing resolution in budget terms?
Answer: A measure to fund government temporarily at existing levels. Prevents government shutdown when regular appropriations bills stall.
Flashcard 12: Identify one method Congress uses to influence bureaucracies.
Answer: Budgetary control. Congress controls agency funding through appropriations process.
Flashcard 13: What is the role of a subcommittee?
Answer: Specialize in certain areas within a standing committee. Allows detailed examination of specific policy areas.
Flashcard 14: What does it mean to table a bill?
Answer: To postpone or suspend consideration of a bill. Effectively kills a bill by removing it from active consideration.
Flashcard 15: What is the purpose of redistricting?
Answer: To redraw electoral district boundaries after a census. Required every 10 years after the census to ensure equal representation.
Flashcard 16: What is the purpose of the Rules Committee in the House?
Answer: Determines the terms of debate for bills. Controls when, how long, and under what conditions bills are debated.
Flashcard 17: Identify one factor that can lead to divided government.
Answer: Different parties controlling Congress and the presidency. Creates potential for gridlock and compromise in policymaking.
Flashcard 18: What is bicameralism?
Answer: A two-chambered legislature, such as in the U.S. Congress. Designed to balance representation and encourage deliberation.
Flashcard 19: What is the primary function of Congress?
Answer: To make laws. Congress has legislative power under Article I of the Constitution.
Flashcard 20: What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
Answer: 6 years. Senators serve staggered terms to provide continuity in the Senate.
Flashcard 21: What is the term length for a member of the House of Representatives?
Answer: 2 years. Representatives serve shorter terms for closer connection to voters.
Flashcard 22: Identify one power unique to the Senate.
Answer: Confirming presidential appointments. The Senate provides advice and consent for presidential nominees.
Flashcard 23: Identify one power unique to the House of Representatives.
Answer: Initiating revenue bills. Article I, Section 7 grants this power exclusively to the House.
Flashcard 24: What is a filibuster?
Answer: A prolonged speech to delay legislative action. A Senate tradition used to block or delay unwanted legislation.
Flashcard 25: What is a cloture vote?
Answer: A procedure to end a filibuster with 60 votes. Cloture limits debate and forces a final vote on legislation.
Flashcard 26: Which chamber of Congress can impeach a president?
Answer: The House of Representatives. The House has the sole power of impeachment under the Constitution.
Flashcard 27: Which chamber of Congress holds impeachment trials?
Answer: The Senate. The Senate has the sole power to try impeachment cases.
Flashcard 28: What is a conference committee?
Answer: A committee to reconcile House and Senate bill versions. Creates compromise legislation when chambers pass different versions.
Flashcard 29: Identify one type of congressional committee.
Answer: Standing committee. Permanent committees that handle ongoing legislative business.
Flashcard 30: What is the role of the Speaker of the House?
Answer: Presides over the House and sets legislative agenda. Elected by majority party and third in line for presidential succession.