Constitution Study Guide: Legislative Branch

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the Legislative Branch from the Constitution.

Legislative

The law-making branch of Congress.

Federal Laws

Laws that apply to the entire country.

Bicameral

Made up of two chambers.

District in Congress

A specific section of a state.

Houses of Congress

The Senate and the House of Representatives.

Qualifications for Senators

Must be at least 30 years old, a citizen for at least 9 years, and reside in the state represented.

Qualifications for Representatives

Must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for at least 7 years, and reside in the state and district represented.

Senators represent

The interests of the citizens across their entire state.

Representatives in the House represent

The people in their district.

Special duties of the Senate

Approve appointments.

Special duties of the House

All bills must start in the House.

Senators from each state

Each state has 2 Senators.

Representatives in the House

There are 435 total Representatives.

Leader of the Senate

Senate Majority Leader.

Leader of the House

Speaker of the House.

Role of majority and minority whips

Communicate about bills and ensure attendance at meetings.

Powers of Congress

1. Create rules for citizenship 2. Collect taxes, pay debts, and borrow money 3. Regulate commerce 4. Coin money and punish counterfeiters 5. Establish post offices 6. Create lower Federal courts 7. Declare war 8. Make laws.

Nine steps for how a Bill becomes a Law

1. Proposal 2. Introduction 3. Committee report 4. Floor debate 5. Vote 6. Hand off 7. Compromise 8. Another vote 9. To the president.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to make any laws they deem necessary.

Enumerated powers

Limited powers given to the federal government.

Impeach

To accuse someone of doing something unconstitutional.

Congress checks the powers of other branches

By impeaching officials, overriding vetoes, controlling the budget, confirming appointments, ratifying treaties, and initiating constitutional amendments.