Legislative Branch - Things You Should Know

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the study notes covering House and Senate basics, congressional leadership, legislative process, powers of Congress, and legislative vocabulary.

House of Representatives Minimum Age

$25$ years old

Senate Minimum Age

$30$ years old

House of Representatives Voting Members

$435$ members

Total U.S. Senators

$100$ senators

House Representation Method

State population, as determined by the U.S. Census

Senate Representation per State

$2$ per state

U.S. Representative Term Length

$2$ years

U.S. Senator Term Length

$6$ years

Session

The term for the time Congress is assembled and conducting business

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the U.S. House of Representatives

President pro tempore

The title given to the leader of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President

Floor Leader

A member of Congress responsible for organizing party strategy and ensuring party discipline in votes

Whip

The congressional official responsible for counting votes and encouraging party members to support legislation

Majority Leader

The leader of the majority party in either chamber who helps guide bills through the legislative process

Bill

A proposed law that is introduced in Congress

Law

The final form of a bill once it has been passed by both houses and signed by the president

Committee

The group of legislators responsible for reviewing, researching, and modifying bills before they go to the full chamber

Subcommittee

A smaller, specialized group within a congressional committee that focuses on specific issues within the broader committee's jurisdiction

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in Congress that deals with ongoing issues such as finance, foreign affairs, or defense

Conference Committee

A temporary committee that resolves differences in House and Senate versions of a bill

Power of the Purse

The power Congress has to control government spending

Override

The ability of Congress to pass a law even after the president has rejected it, requiring a two-thirds majority vote

Veto

The process in which the president rejects a bill passed by Congress

Checks and Balances

The system that ensures one branch of government does not become too powerful by allowing oversight and limitations between branches

Constituent

A person represented by an elected official

Filibuster

The process of speaking for an extended period to delay or block legislation in the Senate

Testify

The term for when a person gives sworn evidence before a congressional committee

Filibuster Cloture Threshold

Three-fifths ($60$ votes out of $100$) required in the Senate to end a filibuster

Presidential Veto Override Fraction

A two-thirds majority of both houses required to override a presidential veto

Main Job of Legislative Branch

To make laws

Power to Collect Taxes and Create the Budget

Congress can collect taxes and decide how to spend money to fund government programs

Power to Borrow Money

Congress can borrow money on behalf of the U.S. government, usually by issuing government bonds

Regulate Trade (Commerce Clause)

Congress can make laws about business and trade between states and with other countries

Set Rules for Citizenship (Naturalization) and Money

Congress decides how people from other countries can become U.S. citizens and controls the production of money

Create Post Offices and Roads

Congress can set up mail services and build roads for delivering mail

Declare War

Only Congress has the power to officially declare war on another country

Maintain the Military (Army & Navy)

Congress controls the funding and creation of the U.S. military, including the Army and Navy

Approve Treaties and Presidential Appointments

Senate-only power to approve treaties the President makes with other countries and confirm people the President chooses for important government jobs

Impeach and Remove Government Officials

Congress can remove the President, Vice President, or other officials if they commit serious crimes; the House accuses them (impeachment), and the Senate holds a trial