Characteristics of the Senate and the House

How many members are serving in the Senate?

100

How many members are serving for the House of Representatives?

435

How many justices are serving the Supreme Court?

9

How old must you be to serve for the Senate?

30

How old must you be to serve for the House of Representatives?

25

congressional powers that are not stated explicitly in the Constitution

implied powers

system in which longer-serving members get the best committee assignments

seniority

specific power of Congress listed in the Constitution

expressed powers

senatorial practice of talking a bill to death

filibuster

used to determine each state's number of representatives

census

president's refusal to sign a bill

veto

a way to draw district boundaries that favors one party over another

gerrymander

Federal government projects that benefit home districts or states

pork-barrel projects

person hired by a private group to influence government decisions

lobbyist

accuse officials of misconduct in office

impeach

basis of representation in the house

representatives

casts a Senate vote only in case of a tie

vice president

proposed laws

bills

one way for the president to kill legislation

pocket veto

gives Congress implied powers

elastic clause

two-part body

bicameral

formal statement passed by both houses of Congress

joint resolution

How often does Congress adjust the number of seats each state has in the house?

every 2 years

What branch of government has the power to declare war?

legislative

How long do senators serve?

6 years

How many years must you live in the US to serve for the House?

7 years

How many years must you live in the US to serve for the Senate?

9 years