Civics Legislative Branch

What makes up the Legislative Branch?

The House of Representatives and the Senate

Who is the most powerful member of Congress and why?

The Speaker of the House, because they control the legislative agenda, schedule bills for votes, and preside over the House floor

Why was the legislative branch granted the most power in the Constitution?

The Framers wanted the law-making branch to represent the direct will of the people and serve as a check against tyranny or an all-powerful executive

What are the benefits of a bicameral legislature versus a unicameral one?

It provides checks and balances within the branch and ensures representation for both the states' population (House) and equal state sovereignty (Senate)

What cons are there to having a bicameral legislature?

It often creates legislative gridlock, slows down the law-making process, and leads to political polarization between the chambers

What power listed in Section 8 is most crucial in shaping the direction of the US?

The power to regulate commerce (the Commerce Clause) or the power to tax and spend, because these allow Congress to influence nearly every aspect of American economic and social life.

What are some similarities and differences in how a bill is considered in the House, the Senate, and the President’s desk?

Similarities include the requirement for majority approval in both houses and the President's review. Differences include strict debate time limits in the House versus the freedom to filibuster in the Senate, and the President's power to sign or veto

Does the long process of a bill becoming law create better laws or cause too much difficulty?

Proponents argue it prevents reckless legislation and ensures compromise, while critics argue it stops urgent and necessary reforms from passing due to gridlock

Congress

The legislative branch of government responsible for making laws

Bicameral Legislature

A law-making body made of two houses

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and leader of the House of Representatives

President of the Senate

The role held by the Vice President of the United States who presides over the Senate

President Pro Tempore

The senior senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President

Floor Leader

A member of party leadership who guides party strategy and debate on the floor

Whip

A party leader who counts votes and rallies members for upcoming votes

Impeach

To formally charge a public official with misconduct in office

Bill

A proposed law presented to a legislative body

Filibuster

An extended debate or tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill

Veto

The President's power to reject a bill passed by Congress

Pocket Veto

A method where the President ignores a bill for 10 days while Congress is adjourned

Standing Committee

A permanent committee that addresses specific policy areas

Subcommittee

A smaller division of a standing committee that specializes in a specific sub-topic

Joint Committee

A committee made up of members from both the House and the Senate

Conference Committee

A temporary joint committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

Expressed (Enumerated) Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly written in the Constitution but claimed under the Necessary and Proper Clause