Congress Test
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73 Terms
Where is a House bill introduced?
In the Speaker of the House’s hopper (a desk with a mailbox).
What information is given to a bill when it’s introduced in the House?
A name and a number (ex. HR 17).
Who assigns a House bill to a committee?
The Speaker of the House assigns.
Why is committee assignment important?
It can determine the bill’s fate.
What can a committee do with a bill?
Kill it, pass it, rewrite it, or pigeonhole it.
What does it mean to pigeonhole a bill?
To put it aside or stall it.
What committee controls debate rules in the House?
The House Rules Committee.
What happens after a bill is placed on the House Calendar?
It goes to the House floor for debate and a vote.
Where is a Senate bill introduced?
To Senate leaders.
What prefix is used for Senate bills?
“S” (ex. S 25).
What happens if a bill passes one chamber?
It goes to the other chamber or the President (if both chambers have passed it).
What is a filibuster?
Unlimited debate in the Senate to delay or stop a vote.
What is a conference committee?
A committee of House members and Senators that resolves differences between bills.
Where must all tax and money bills start?
The House of Representatives.
What does bicameral mean?
A legislature with two chambers.
What are the two chambers of Congress?
The House of Representatives and the Senate.
What is a carpetbagger?
A politician who moves to a different state or district to win an election.
When did carpetbagging first occur on a large scale?
After the Civil War.
What is a clothespin vote?
A vote for the least objectionable candidate.
What power does the House have in impeachment?
The Impeachment process must start in the House.
House qualifications — age requirement?
25 years old.
House qualifications — citizenship requirement?
U.S. citizen for at least 7 years.
Senate term length?
6 years.
Why is the Senate considered a continuous body?
Only 1/3 of Senators are elected every 2 years.
What special powers does the Senate have?
Approving treaties and presidential appointments.
Why is the Senate less influenced by public opinion?
Longer terms allow Senators to ignore short-term issues.
What debate rule makes the Senate unique?
No limit on debate.
Senate qualifications — age requirement?
30 years old.
Senate qualifications — citizenship requirement?
U.S. citizen for at least 9 years.
Who is the most powerful member of Congress?
The Speaker of the House.
What party does the Speaker represent?
The majority party.
Name two powers of the Speaker of the House.
Assigns bills to committees and sets House rules.
Current Speaker of the House?
Mike Johnson (R-LA)
Role of the House Majority Leader?
Chief strategist and spokesperson for the majority party.
Current House Majority Leader?
Steve Scalise (R-LA)
Role of the House Minority Leader?
Organizes opposition to the majority party.
Current House Minority Leader?
Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
What do House whips do?
Poll members, enforce party discipline, and ensure attendance for votes.
Who is the President of the Senate?
The Vice President of the United States.
When does the Vice President vote in the Senate?
Only to break a tie.
Who is the President Pro Tempore?
Senior member of the majority party who presides when the VP is absent.
Current President Pro Tempore?
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Who is the true leader of the Senate?
The Senate Majority Leader.
Role of the Senate Majority Leader?
Sets agenda, calendar, and party strategy.
Current Senate Majority Leader?
John Thune (R-SD)
Role of the Senate Minority Leader?
Organizes opposition and may use filibusters.
Current Senate Minority Leader?
Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
What does the word Congress mean?
To come together.
When did minorities begin serving in Congress in larger numbers?
After the Civil War.
How many African Americans served in Congress right after the Civil War?
About 20, mostly Republicans (linked to Abraham Lincoln).
How many African Americans served in Congress from 1900–1928?
Zero, due to Jim Crow laws.
What percentage of the U.S. population is African American vs. Congress?
12.2% of the U.S.; about 11% in Congress (59 members).
What percentage of the U.S. population is Hispanic vs. Congress?
18.9% of the U.S.; about 9.9% in Congress (53 members).
What percentage of the U.S. population is Jewish vs. Congress?
2.4% of the U.S.; about 6.9% in Congress (37 members).
What percentage of the U.S. population is Asian/Pacific Islander vs. Congress?
About 6% of the U.S.; 3.9% in Congress (21 members).
What is the typical age of a member of Congress?
About 61 years old.
What is the average age in the House vs. the Senate?
House: ~58.4 years; Senate: ~64.3 years.
How educated are members of Congress?
about 96% are college graduated.
What is the most common demographic of Congress members?
White males from upper-class, high-paying jobs.
What careers do many members of Congress come from?
Lawyers, educators, bankers, and businesspeople (about 43%).
Who was the first woman in Congress?
Jeannette Rankin (1916).
How did many early women get seats in Congress?
By filling a deceased spouse’s seat.
Who was the first African American woman senator?
Carol Moseley Braun (1994).
What percentage of the U.S. population is women vs. Congress?
50.5% of the U.S.; about 28% in Congress (150 total).
What is an incumbent?
A candidate who already holds office during an election.
What percentage of House members were reelected in 2020 and 2022?
2020: ~94.7%; 2022: ~94.5%.
What percentage of Senators were reelected in 2020 and 2022?
2020: ~83.9%; 2022: 100%.
What is gerrymandering?
When state legislatures redraw political boundaries for political gain.
How often does gerrymandering occur?
Every 10 years.
Which chamber benefits most from gerrymandering?
The House of Representatives.
Why is gerrymandering controversial?
It is sometimes considered unconstitutional (e.g., Alabama, parts of PA).
What is the franking privilege?
The ability of members of Congress to send mail for free.
What are earmarks (pork-barrels legislation)?
Laws or bills that benefit a specific district or state rather than the whole country.