Congress: Structure, Requirements, and Procedures

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing the institutional differences, qualifications, and legislative procedures of the United States House of Representatives and Senate.

Usurpation

The act of taking control, as discussed in the context of factions seizing power.

Perfidy

Characterized in the lecture as a negative, evil type of mindset.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress consisting of $435$ members who serve two-year terms, represent individual districts within states, and are governed by strict, formal rules.

Senate

The upper house of Congress consisting of $100$ members who represent entire states, operate under less formal rules, and hold individual debate powers such as the filibuster.

House Age Requirement

The constitutional requirement that a member of the House of Representatives must be at least $25$ years old.

Senate Age Requirement

The constitutional requirement that a senator must be at least $30$ years old, providing for greater maturity and world experience.

House Citizenship Requirement

The rule requiring a person to have been a United States citizen for at least $7$ years to serve in the House of Representatives.

Senate Citizenship Requirement

The rule requiring a person to have been a United States citizen for at least $9$ years to serve in the Senate.

Residency Requirement

The rule stating that members of Congress must live in the state that they represent.

Census

The population count conducted every $10$ years used to determine the distribution of House members among the states.

Apportionment

The allocation of House districts to states every $10$ years based on population data from the census.

Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives responsible for establishing the limits and debate rules for bills brought to the floor.

Filibuster

A Senate procedure where a single senator can hold the floor and delay or stop legislation as long as they remain standing and speaking.