Studied by 4 people
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
Note 
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