Congress Test

How are the House and Senate similar?

Both are part of the legislative branch, both make laws, both use committees, and both must pass a bill before it can become law.

How are the House and Senate different?

The House has 435 members with 2-year terms and representation based on population, while the Senate has 100 members with 6-year terms and 2 senators per state.

Majority party

The political party with the most members in a chamber of Congress; it controls leadership positions and committees.

Minority party

The political party with fewer members in a chamber of Congress and less control over the legislative agenda.

Role of committees in Congress

Committees review bills, hold hearings, revise legislation, and decide whether bills move forward.

Standing committees

Permanent committees that focus on specific policy areas like finance, agriculture, or defense.

Select committees

Temporary committees created to investigate or address specific issues.

Joint committees

Committees made up of members from both the House and Senate that work on shared issues.

Conference committees

Temporary committees that resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Why members want certain committees

To influence policy important to their state or district, gain political power, and help their constituents.

Bill introduction

A member of the House or Senate formally introduces a bill.

Committee referral

The bill is sent to a committee and often a subcommittee for study.

Markup

When a committee debates, revises, and amends a bill.

Full chamber debate and vote

The entire House or Senate debates the bill and votes on whether to pass it.

Conference committee (bill process)

Members from both chambers reconcile differences between two versions of a bill.

Sent to the President

After both chambers pass the same bill, it is sent to the President to sign or veto.

Hold

A senator informally delays a bill from reaching the Senate floor.

Filibuster

A tactic in the Senate where members debate for a long time to delay or block a vote.

Cloture

A Senate vote requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster.

Discharge petition

A House procedure that forces a bill out of committee to be voted on by the full chamber.

Speaker of the House

Mike Johnson from Louisiana; the leader of the House of Representatives and the most powerful member of the chamber.

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Chuck Grassley; presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent.

House Majority Leader

Steve Scalise; manages legislation and helps lead the majority party in the House.

House Minority Leader

Hakeem Jeffries; leader of the minority party in the House.

Senate Majority Leader

John Thune; controls the Senate agenda and leads the majority party.

Senate Minority Leader

Chuck Schumer; leader of the minority party in the Senate.

House Majority Whip

Tom Emmer; gathers votes and ensures party members support legislation.

House Minority Whip

Katherine Clark; helps organize votes for the minority party.

Senate Majority Whip

John Barrasso; assists the majority leader and counts party votes.

Senate Minority Whip

Dick Durbin; assists the minority leader and organizes party votes.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress, such as taxing, regulating commerce, and declaring war.

Length of House term

2 years.

Length of Senate term

6 years.

Basis of representation in the House

Representation based on state population.

Basis of representation in the Senate

Each state has two senators regardless of population.

House eligibility requirements

Must be 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and live in the state represented.

Senate eligibility requirements

Must be 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and live in the state represented.

Logrolling

Lawmakers trade votes to support each other’s bills.

Earmarks / Pork barrel spending

Government funds directed to projects in a member’s district or state.

Incumbency

The advantage held by someone who currently holds political office.

Trustee representation

Representatives vote based on their own judgment and expertise.

Delegate representation

Representatives vote based on the preferences of their constituents.

Politico representation

Representatives combine both trustee and delegate roles depending on the issue.

Bipartisanship

Cooperation between members of different political parties.

Divided government

Different political parties control the House, Senate, and/or presidency.

Gridlock

When government is unable to pass legislation due to political conflict.

Apportionment

The process of distributing House seats among states based on population.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries after the census.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to benefit a political party or group.

Packing

Concentrating opposition voters into a few districts to reduce their influence elsewhere.

Cracking

Splitting opposition voters across many districts to weaken their voting power.

Contiguity

Requirement that all parts of a district must be connected geographically.

Baker v. Carr

Established the principle of “one person, one vote” and allowed courts to hear redistricting cases.

Congressional oversight

Congress monitors and reviews actions of the executive branch and federal agencies.

Impeachment

The House formally charges a federal official with wrongdoing, and the Senate holds a trial.

Federal budget process

Congress creates and approves the government’s spending plan.

Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974

Strengthened Congress’s control over the federal budget.