Studied by 11 people
apportioned
divided among districts
gerrymandering
the process of drawing congressional district lines to favor a political party
term limits
laws that limit the number of terms elected officials can serve
franking privelage
the right of members of congress to mail official letters free of charge
immunity
legal protection in which members of congress have. Members cannot be arrested in or on their way from or to a meeting in congress.
expulsion
the removal of a person from an institution, such as Congress, for serious misconduct. requires two thirds vote of senators or representatives.
censure
a formal disapproval of the actions of a member of Congress by other members.
sessions
meetings in terms of congress
caucuses
private meetings of party leaders to determine party policy or to choose the party's candidates for public office
majority party
the political party that has more members in congress or in a state legislature
minority party
the political party with fewer members in Congress or state legislature
floor leader
a political party leader in congress who works for the passage of bills the party favors
party whip
the assistant to the floor leader in each house of congress who tries to persuade the party members to vote for bills the party supports
president pro tempore
the official who presides over the Senate in the vice president's absence
bills
proposed laws being considered by a law making body
committees
small groups in congress formed to consider bills
standing committees
permanent house or senate committees that considers bills in a certain area
subcommittees
divisions of standing congressional committees that deal with specific issues in the area handled by their primary committees
select committees
temporary house or senate committees appointed to deal with issues not handled by standing committees
joint committees
committees made up of members of the both houses of congress to deal with matters of mutual concerns
conference committee
temporary congressional committees made up of senators and representatives who try to reach an agreement on different versions of a bill
seniority system
the custom of giving leadership of committees to members of congress with the most years of service.
speaker of the house
the presiding officer of the house of representatives
elastic clause
allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.
implied powers
powers not specifically granted to congress by the constitution that are suggested to be necessary to carry out the powers delegated to congress under the constitution.
treason
an act that betrays and endangers one's country.
impeachment
a formal charge brought against a government official
ex post facto law
a law that applies to an action that took place before the law was passed
bill of attainder
a law sentencing a person to jail without a trial
writ of habeas corpus
a court order requiring that an accused person be brought to court to determine if there is enough evidence to hold the person for trial
constituents
people represented by members of the lawmaking body
appropriation bill
a bill approving the spending of extra public money
act
a law
quorum
the minimum number of members who must present before a legislative body and can conduct business
roll-call vote
a vote in congress in which a record is made of how each member votes
filibuster
a method of delaying action on a bill in the senate by making long speeches
cloture
a limit on debate of a bill in the senate
pocket veto
a means by which the president can reject a bill, when congress is not in session, by not signing it
How many representatives are in the U.S. House of representitives?
435
How many senators are in the US senate?
100, 2 for each state
How is apportionment determined for the house of represenatives? How often does this occur?
The US cencus (based on population); every ten years
Explain how gerrymandering affects congressional district bounderies…..
Districts become mostly 1 political party and their shapes are odd
List the 3 qualifications for holding the office of u.s representative
Legal residential of the state they are representing
At least 25 years old
U.S. citizen for 7 years
List the 3 qualifications for holding the office of us senator.
30 years or older
US citizen for 9 at least years
Resident of your state
How many years does a US representative serve in one term?
TWO YEARS
How many years does a us senator serve in one term?
SIX YEARS
What percentage of senators are up of re-election at one time?
33%
List 3 examples of codes of conduct Congress has for its members.
may not use campaign funds for personal expenses, limited outside income, dissolve financial holdings
Which body has the power to impeach
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Where is the  impeached official put on trial?
SENATE
Under what circumstances would the vice president not preside over an umpeachment trial?
When the PRESIDENT is on trial
Who presides over the impeachment trial when the vice president does not?
Chif Justice of the Supreme Court
SPECIAL POWERS OF HOUSE
1. Impeachment hearings
Starts bills for raising revenue
Can choose president if no candidate receives majority of electoral votes
SPECIAL POWERS OF SENATE
1. Impeachments trial
2. choose Vice Pres. if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes
3. confirm presidential appointments
4. confirms presidential treaties with foreign countries
What people or groups can propose laws to congress?
the president, members of congress, us citizens, organized groups
Bills concerning money must originate in ___.
HOUSE OF REPS.
A debate on bills is generally limited to which body of Congress?
HOUSE OF REPS.
5 delegated powers
Financing Gov
Regulating American Trade
Defending the Country
Enforcing Laws
Providing Growth
Why is work in Congress done through committees?
To split u-p the work
Name all leadership positions in the HOUSE and SENATE and tell me what they do
Speaker of the House- powerful officer of the house
Floor Leader- guides proposed laws through Congress
Party Whip- whips up the votes- persuades others to vote a certain way
Chairperson- in charge of majority for each COMMITTEE
NAME ONE STANDING COMMITTEE
Senate Committee on Fiance
OR
House Committee on the Judiciary
Note
Flashcard