Congress Multiple Choice Test

Casework

when Congress members assist people they represent

435

members in the House of Representatives

Joint

a committee that can be both permanent and temporary and involves members of both Houses

Bill

a proposed law

Senate requirements

at least thirty years of age, U.S. citizenship (for at least nine years), and residency of the state

What part of the Constitution deals with Congress?

Article 1

Ex post facto law

is to punish a person for a crime they committed after the fact

House of Representatives requirements

25 years of age, inhabitant of the state, at least 7 years of U.S. citizenship

Private Bills

bills directed toward a specific group of people

Filibuster

to talk a bill to death

Necessary and proper clause

gives Congress implied powers

Leader of the House of Representatives

Speaker of the house

Term of Congress

every 2 years

A non-legislative duty

something that the Congress members do but do not concern bills/laws

Standing committee

permanent committees in both chambers of Congress

Elastic Clause

states the national government’s powers; include implied powers not specifically listed in the Constitution

Bill of attainder

legislation that imposes punishment on a specific group of people without a trial

Enumerated powers

powers expressively written in the Constitution

Writ of habeas corpus

to present the prisoner to court

Where do most bills end up?

in committee

Rider

an item added to a bill that would never pass on its own

The President of the Senate

the vice president of the U.S.

Pork

items added to a bill that are unrelated to it

Bicameral Legislature

made up of two houses

Constituent

a person in a Congress person’s district

Public bills

bills that are created for everyone

President Pro Tempore

presides over the Senate

Gerrymandering

the act of drawing districts to favor one party over another

Cloture

ends a filibuster

Conference committee

a temporary committee created to settle differences on a bill between both chambers