Social Studies Legislative Branch Unit Test Study Guide

Term limit of the US House of Representatives.

set at 2 years per term no limit on terms

Term limit of the US Senate

staggered 6-year terms, with no limit on the number of terms they can serve.

The number of representatives in the US House of Representatives.

435 members."

the amount of senators in the US senate

100, two from each state serving six-year terms. They create and pass laws, approve treaties, and confirm presidential appointments.

what are districts

are geographic areas that divide a region for administrative or political purposes, such as electing representatives to a legislative body.

the elastic clause of the constitution

Also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, it grants Congress the power to pass laws deemed necessary for carrying out its enumerated powers.

the writ of habeas corpus

Legal right to challenge unlawful detention or imprisonment, ensuring a person's appearance in court to determine the legality of their confinement.

ex post facto laws

laws that retroactively change the legal consequences of actions that were committed before the enactment of the law.

how do bills become laws (in order)

1. Introduction in either house

2. Committee review and approval

3. Floor debate and vote

4. Approval in both houses

5. Presidential approval or veto

6. Possible veto override

the power of impeachment

What is the constitutional authority of the legislative branch to remove a government official from office for misconduct or abuse of power?

what is a congressional term

is the period during which Congress meets and conducts its business, typically lasting two years with each term divided into two sessions.

include standing committees for specific policy areas, select committees for temporary issues, joint committees with members from both chambers and conference committees to resolve differences in bills before final passage.

types of committees in Congress and what they do

the different types of congressional sessions

Regular sessions are scheduled by law, while special sessions are called by the President. A joint session involves both houses of Congress meeting together.

Basic Qualifications of the House of representatives

members must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and a resident of the state they represent.

Basic qualifications of the Senate

members must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizens for 9 years, and residents of the state they represent.

Speaker of the house

Flashcard: Position in the US House of Representatives responsible for leading the chamber, setting the legislative agenda, and representing the majority party.

Floor leader

Member of Congress chosen by their party to promote its agenda and manage legislative actions on the chamber floor. They coordinate with party members to strategize and ensure bills are passed.

Party Whip

- A member of a political party in a legislative body responsible for ensuring party discipline and attendance at votes.

Veto

- The constitutional power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law without further action.

Pocket veto

: A presidential power to indirectly veto a bill by not signing it within 10 days of Congress adjourning, effectively killing the legislation.

president pro tempore

The Senate officer who presides in the absence of the Vice President and is third in line for presidential succession.

Legislature

A governmental body responsible for making laws in a country. It is typically divided into two houses, such as the Senate and the House of Representatives in the United States.

Bicameral

A legislative body with two separate chambers or houses, such as the Senate and the House of Representatives in the United States.

Term Limits

Restrictions on the number of terms an elected official can serve in a specific position to prevent long-term incumbency and promote turnover in leadership.

Congressional District

- Geographical area represented by a member of the House of Representatives in the United States Congress.

Apportioned

Definition: To divide or distribute something proportionally, especially in terms of representation or resources.

Gerrymandering

is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to benefit a specific political party or group.

Franking Privilege

Allows members of Congress to send mail to constituents for free as part of their official duties, helping them communicate with voters.

Immunity

refers to protection from legal liability. It shields individuals or entities from being held accountable for certain actions or decisions.

Flashcard: Censure

Formal disapproval or criticism of someone's actions or behavior, often by an authoritative body or group.

Expulsion

Definition: The act of forcing someone to leave a place, organization, or institution, typically as a punishment or disciplinary action.

Session

- A period of time during which a legislature, court, or other assembly meets to conduct its business and make decisions.

Joint session

A meeting where both chambers of a legislative body come together to discuss specific issues or events.

Special Session

A period when a legislative body convenes outside its regular schedule to address specific issues or emergencies.

Flashcard: Congressional committees are specialized groups in Congress that focus on specific issues, conduct investigations, and propose legislation.

Committees

Bills

are proposed laws introduced in a legislature for debate and voting. They can be introduced by members of the legislature or the executive branch.

Standing Committees

are permanent committees in a legislative body that focus on specific areas of legislation or government oversight.

Subcommittees

are smaller groups within a committee that focus on specific aspects of proposed legislation or oversight, aiding in more detailed examination and decision-making.

Joint Committees

are formed by members of both chambers of Congress to address specific issues. They conduct investigations, oversee agencies, and coordinate legislation.

Confrence committees

- Temporary groups formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill before it is sent to the President for approval.

Senority system

is a practice where individuals gain power and privileges based on their length of service in an organization or group.

Impeachment

- The process by which a legislative body formally levels charges against a high official of government for misconduct.

Appropriation bill

Legislation that authorizes the government to spend money for specific purposes. It is typically introduced annually and outlines the budget for various government agencies.

Implied powers

authority not explicitly stated in the constitution but inferred as necessary for carrying out the government's enumerated powers.

Constituents

are individuals residing in a specific area represented by an elected official. They are key stakeholders whom lawmakers serve and advocate for.

Quorum

Minimum number of members required for a meeting to be valid and conduct business.

Roll-Call vote

A voting method where each member's vote is recorded individually, often used for transparency and accountability in decision-making.

Pocket Veto

occurs when the President does not sign a bill within 10 days of Congress adjourning, effectively vetoing it without the ability for Congress to override.

bill of attainder

is a legislative act that convicts a person of a crime without a trial. It is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.

Flashcard: filibuster

A tactic used in a legislative body to delay or block the passing of a bill by making lengthy speeches.

cloture

is a procedure used in the U.S. Senate to end a filibuster and bring a debate to a vote, requiring a three-fifths majority (60 votes).

logrolling

is the practice of exchanging favors, such as trading votes or support, to achieve mutual benefits among individuals or groups.

rider on a bill

is an additional provision added to a legislative bill that is often unrelated to the main purpose of the bill, used to pass controversial measures.

pork barrel spending

Government funds allocated for local projects to benefit specific districts, often to gain favor with constituents.