Chapter 5

Role and Powers of Congress

constituent

the residents of his/her district or state

interest group

people acting together to achieve shared political groups

political action committee (PACs)

political branches of interest groups formed for the purpose of participating in politics and giving money to candidates

oversight

conducting investigations of agency actions and programs

four factors that influence Congress members when voting

* personal beliefs
* constituents interest
* interest groups concerns
* political party loyalty

census

the official population count that takes place every 10 years and serves as the basis for determing congressional seats

apportion/ distribute

the manner in which congressional seats are given to each state after the census

gerrymandering (1812)

the practice of establishing district lines that favor one political party over another

franking privilege

allows members to send official mail for free

immunity/ legal protection

protects Congress members freedom of speech, members cannot be sued for anything they say while performing congressional business

The House of Representatives

* 2-year term
* population-based
* total of 435 representatives
* entire house is elected every two years
* must be 25 years old
* must be a citizen for 7 years
* must reside in the state they’re elected in
* salary 145,000

The Senate

* 6-year term
* 2 representatives per state
* total of 100 representatives
* 1/3 of Senate is elected every 2 years
* must be 30 years old
* must be a citizen for 9 years
* must reside in the state they’re elected in
* salary of 145,000

impeach

the charges against an accused official, must be drawn up by the house of rep.

*ex post facto laws*

a law that applies to an action that took place before the law was passed (cannot be passed by Congress unless there is a rebellion)

bill of attainer

a law that punishes a person who has not been convicted in a court of law (cannot be passed by Congress unless there is a rebellion)

writ of *habeas corpus*

a court order requiring police to bring all persons accused of a crime to court and show sufficient reason to keep them in jail (cannot be passed by Congress unless there is a rebellion)

enumerated powers

expressed power

to lay and collect taxes, to pay the nation’s debts, and to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States

expressed power

to borrow money

expressed power

to regulate foreign and interstate commerance

expressed power

to establish uniform rules for becoming a citizen

expressed power

to coin money and set a uniform standard of weights and measures

expressed power

to punish counter feiters

expressed power

to establish post offices and post roads

expressed power

to make copyright and patent laws

expressed power

to establish a system of national courts

expressed power

to punish piracy and other offenses against the law of nations

expressed power

to declare war

expressed power

to raise and maintain armies

expressed power

to raise and maintain a navy

expressed power

to establish military laws

expressed power

to call up a national militia

expressed power

to organize, arm, and discipline the militia

expressed power

to govern the District of Columbia

expressed power

to make all laws that shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution previously mentioned powers

expressed power

impeaching officials

special power held by the house of rep.

initiating money bills

special power held by the house of rep.

deciding elections

special power held by the house of rep.

approving treaties

special power held by the senate

approving appointments

special power held by the senate

act as jury during an impeachment trial

special power held by the senate

make laws

special power held by both

over-ride a veto

special power held by both

allow for implied powers to be created

elastic clause/ necessary and proper clause

creating banks

implied power

establishment of military academies

implied power

to pass *ex post facto laws*

denied power

to pass bills of attainer

denied power

to suspend the writ of *habeas corpus*

denied power

to tax exports

denied power

to pass laws violating the Constitution

denied power

to pass laws giving a state or group of states an unfair trade advantage

denied power

to grant titles of nobility

denied power

to engage in spending that has not been authorized by legislation

denied power