Government Ch. 10,11,12 test

Committee chairpersons usually are chosen

On the basis of seniority

What is a lawmaking function

Central to democracy; its how the will of citizens becomes law

When are congressional elections held

The Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year

What is a session

A regular period of time during which Congress conducts its business

Who are the majority seats in Congress held by?

White, middle-aged men

Only Congress has the power to do what (under the constitution)

Declare war

Congress uses a what to propose a constitutional amendment

Joint resolution

Congress also has the power to

Propose constitutional amendments

Why did the Framers include a Necessary and Proper Clause

To give Congress the power to pass laws needed to carry out the expressed powers

Through McCulloch v. Maryland the Supreme Court …

Upheld the doctrine of implied powers

What did McCulloch v. Maryland do?

It gave Congress power to do anything reasonably related to carrying out expressed powers

Why does Congress create committees?

To divide the workload

What is a major duty of committee members

Screening bills for floor consideration

Every state is represented by how many representatives in the House

At least one

What does the House do on the first day of each new term

Elect a Speaker to preside

What sole power does the House have

The power to impeach the president

When a bill is introduced to the House, it is first

Given a number and title

Qualification of House members is followed due to long standing custom, so…

They must live/reside in district being represented

The duties of the house rule committee are best described as those of a …

Traffic cop )directing bills through the house)

Who decides how and when bills reach the floor of the House

Rules Committee

Most measures introduced in the house…

Die in committee

How many Senators does each state have to represent them

2

The number of Senate seats in each state is

Set at 2 by the Constitution

What is a qualification for the senate?

Must be a citizen for at least 9 years

How long is a Senator’s terms

6 years

How were senators chosen before the 17th amendment

They were chosen by state’s legislatures

What is the purpose of a filibuster

To prevent action on a bill

All treaties must be approved by a ____ vote of the Senate

2/3

State of the Union message is required by the…

Constitution

In order to prevent a bill passed by Congress from becoming a law, the President may…

Refuse to sign it and attach a veto message

What are non-legislative powers exercised only by the Senate?

Power to approve or reject major presidential appointments

Who decides what votes count

whip