All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What are the two chambers of Congress?
Answer: The House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is bicameral with equal state representation in the Senate and proportional in the House.
Flashcard 2: What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
Answer: 6 years. Longer terms provide stability and allow senators to focus on long-term national issues.
Flashcard 3: Which body has the power to impeach the President?
Answer: The House of Representatives. The House initiates impeachment proceedings as the chamber closer to the people.
Flashcard 4: Which chamber of Congress confirms presidential appointments?
Answer: The Senate. The Senate provides advice and consent on presidential nominees to federal positions.
Flashcard 5: How many Senators are there in the U.S. Senate?
Answer: 100 Senators. Each state elects two senators regardless of population size for equal representation.
Flashcard 6: How many voting members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?
Answer: 435 Representatives. The number is fixed by law and seats are apportioned among states by population.
Flashcard 7: Which article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress?
Answer: Article I. The legislative article establishes Congress's structure, powers, and limitations.
Flashcard 8: What is the minimum age requirement for a U.S. Senator?
Answer: 30 years old. Higher age requirement reflects the Senate's role as the more deliberative chamber.
Flashcard 9: What is the minimum age requirement for a U.S. Representative?
Answer: 25 years old. Lower age requirement allows younger citizens to serve in the people's house.
Flashcard 10: What is the role of the Senate Appropriations Committee?
Answer: To allocate federal spending. Controls how federal tax revenue is distributed to government agencies and programs.
Flashcard 11: What is a caucus in the context of Congress?
Answer: A group of members with shared interests or goals. Informal groups that coordinate policy positions on specific issues.
Flashcard 12: What is the primary responsibility of the House Rules Committee?
Answer: To set the terms for debate in the House. Controls the flow of legislation by setting time limits and amendment rules.
Flashcard 13: What is the term for redrawing congressional districts?
Answer: Redistricting. Districts are redrawn every ten years following the census.
Flashcard 14: Identify the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
Answer: Commerce Clause. Article I grants Congress power to regulate trade between states.
Flashcard 15: Which committee is responsible for tax legislation?
Answer: House Ways and Means Committee. This House committee has exclusive jurisdiction over federal tax policy.
Flashcard 16: What is a conference committee?
Answer: A committee to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill. Resolves differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill.
Flashcard 17: What is congressional oversight?
Answer: Monitoring the executive branch and its agencies. Congress monitors executive agencies to ensure proper implementation of laws.
Flashcard 18: What is the quorum requirement for the House of Representatives?
Answer: 218 members. A majority of members must be present to conduct official House business.
Flashcard 19: What is the purpose of a standing committee?
Answer: Permanent committee focused on specific policy areas. Standing committees handle ongoing legislative business in specialized subject areas.
Flashcard 20: Which power allows Congress to declare war?
Answer: War Powers. Only Congress can formally declare war under Article I powers.
Flashcard 21: Which article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress?
Answer: Article I. The legislative article establishes Congress's structure, powers, and limitations.
Flashcard 22: Which power allows Congress to declare war?
Answer: War Powers. Only Congress can formally declare war under Article I powers.
Flashcard 23: What are the two chambers of Congress?
Answer: The House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is bicameral with equal state representation in the Senate and proportional in the House.
Flashcard 24: What is congressional oversight?
Answer: Monitoring the executive branch and its agencies. Congress monitors executive agencies to ensure proper implementation of laws.
Flashcard 25: What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
Answer: Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out powers. The elastic clause expands congressional authority beyond enumerated powers.
Flashcard 26: Identify the primary function of Congress.
Answer: To make laws. Article I grants Congress legislative power as the first branch of government.
Flashcard 27: What is the term length for a U.S. Representative?
Answer: 2 years. Shorter terms ensure representatives remain responsive to their constituents' immediate concerns.
Flashcard 28: Which body has the power to impeach the President?
Answer: The House of Representatives. The House initiates impeachment proceedings as the chamber closer to the people.
Flashcard 29: What is the primary role of congressional committees?
Answer: To review and shape bills. Committees provide expertise and detailed examination of proposed legislation.
Flashcard 30: What is a filibuster?
Answer: A prolonged debate to delay legislation. Senate tradition allows unlimited debate to block or delay unwanted legislation.