Gov. Congressional Apportionment and Congressional Power

Majority / Minority Leader

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority or minority of seats in the House or the Senate

Whip

A senator or representatives who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the leader of his or her party in the House

Bill

A piece of legislation that must be voted on before it becomes a law

Committee

Established smaller organization within Congress used for a specific function

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can make any laws that are needed to carry out its listed (enumerated) powers. “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.”

Commerce Clause Related: “Power of the Purse”

Section of the Constitution giving Congress a general authority over all things relating to commerce and money in the United States

“To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes”

Impeachment

The bringing of charges against a elected offical in the house of representatives, trial begins in the senate, if guilty, removed from office

House of Representatives- 

• 435 Representatives,213 D, 219 R, 3 Vacancies

• 2 Year Terms

• Represent districts

• Introduces + makes laws

• Handles the money - Revenue & taxes & such

• Formal debate

Senate

• 100 Senators (2 per!)

• 6 Year Terms

• Represent states

• Introduces + makes laws

• Handles presidential appointments

• Informal debate…

majority-minority district

districts that are made up of a majority of minority voters

Marginal / Swing District

Districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections

Safe District

Districts in which incumbents win by a comfortable margin

Polarization

The increasing division of society into two opposing political ideologies with little common ground

Apportionment

The determination of the number of members each U.S. state sends to the House of Representatives based on population

Gerrymandering

the drawing of congressional districts to benefit one party over another

Parliamentary System

A system of government where the head of government is appointed by a majority in the legislature

Incumbent

The current holder of the elected office

Constituent

The residents of a district, state, or other electoral area

Filibuster

An attempt to defeat a bill in the Senate by debating indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action on the bill

What is the current number of members of the House of Representatives?

435

How do we determine the number of representatives each state gets in the House of Representatives?

based on population

What is the current total membership of the Senate?

100

How is each state's representation in the Senate determin

equal representation

Which house of Congress must begin all revenue bills?

House of Representatives

Which house has the power to impeach public officials?

House of Representatives

Which of the following is the President of the Senate?

Vice President of the United States

How long is the term of a member of the House of Representatives?

2 years

How long is a Senator's term?

6 years

Which house acts as a jury in an impeachment trial?

Senate

Who is next in line to become President of the United States if the Vice President is unable to take over?

Speaker of the House

The division of a legislature into two separate assemblies is called

bicameralism

Every two years, _____ of the Senate must stand for reelection

one-third

How many members are in Congress?

535

The ______ can rule bills from Congress as being unconstitutional.

Supreme Court

The ______ can veto bills from Congress

President

What did Justice Scalia say in the US v Lopez case?

Congress may regulate even noneconomic local activity if that regulation is a necessary part of a more general regulation of interstate commerce

What does the language of the "Necessary and Proper" Clause primarily allow Congress to do?

Make laws necessary for executing its powers

Why is the "Necessary and Proper" Clause referred to as the "elastic clause"?

Because it allows the government to stretch its authority

What is the primary function of the legislative branch as outlined in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution?

To make laws

This branch has the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Legislative

In Wickard v. Filburn, the Supreme Court broadened Congress's use of the ______ clause.

Commerce