U.S. Congress: Lawmaking, Committees, Elections & Electoral College

What are the main steps in how a bill becomes a law?

A bill is introduced, referred to a committee, reviewed, debated and voted on by the first chamber, considered by the other chamber, reconciled if necessary, and sent to the President.

Who can introduce a bill?

A member of the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Where must bills for raising revenue originate?

The House of Representatives.

What does a committee do with a bill?

It reviews, studies, debates, amends, and may recommend the bill.

What is a conference committee?

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

What happens if the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill?

They must agree on identical text before the bill can be sent to the President.

What are the President's options when receiving a bill?

Sign it, veto it, or take no action.

What happens when the President signs a bill?

It becomes law.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

With a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.

What is a pocket veto?

When the President does not sign a bill and Congress adjourns in a way that prevents its return, the bill does not become law.

What happens if the President does not act on a bill for 10 days, excluding Sundays?

The bill generally becomes law if Congress remains able to receive the bill.

What is an open rule in the House?

A rule that generally permits members to offer germane amendments under the rule's terms.

What is a closed rule in the House?

A rule that generally prohibits floor amendments to a bill.

What is a structured rule in the House?

A rule that permits only specified amendments under specified conditions.

What does the House Rules Committee do?

It sets the terms for debate and amendments on the House floor.

What is a filibuster?

A Senate tactic used to delay or block action by extending debate or preventing a vote.

How is a filibuster usually ended on ordinary legislation?

By invoking cloture, normally requiring 60 of 100 senators.

How many votes are generally needed to pass a bill in the House?

A simple majority of members voting, assuming a quorum.

How many votes are generally needed to pass an ordinary bill in the Senate?

A simple majority of senators voting, assuming a quorum.

How many votes are needed to override a presidential veto?

Two-thirds in each chamber.

How many votes are needed in the House to impeach a federal official?

A simple majority.

How many Senate votes are needed to convict an impeached official?

Two-thirds of senators present.

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

435.

How many U.S. senators are there?

100.

What is the minimum age to serve in the House?

25 years old.

What is the minimum age to serve in the Senate?

30 years old.

How long must someone have been a U.S. citizen to serve in the House?

At least 7 years.

How long must someone have been a U.S. citizen to serve in the Senate?

At least 9 years.

How long are House members' terms?

Two years.

How long are senators' terms?

Six years.

What is a standing committee?

A permanent congressional committee that handles a particular policy area.

Who performs much of the detailed legislative work in Congress?

Committees and subcommittees.

What is a conference committee's purpose?

To reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of legislation.

What is redistricting?

Redrawing electoral district boundaries, usually after the decennial census.

When does redistricting usually occur?

After the census every 10 years.

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing district boundaries to give a political party or group an electoral advantage.

What must happen for a bill to be referred to a committee?

It must be introduced in the relevant chamber and referred under that chamber's rules.

Which branch is often called the first or preeminent branch in the constitutional design?

Congress, the legislative branch, created in Article I.

Who is often described as the second most powerful person in government in congressional studies?

The Speaker of the House.

What is the Electoral College?

The system in which electors formally cast votes for President and Vice President.

How many total electoral votes are there?

538.

How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?

270.

How are a state's electoral votes calculated?

Its number of U.S. House members plus two senators.

How many electoral votes does Washington, D.C. have?

3.

Which two states do not use statewide winner-take-all for all their electoral votes?

Maine and Nebraska.

How does Maine allocate its electoral votes?

One to the winner of each congressional district and two to the statewide winner.

How does Nebraska allocate its electoral votes?

One to the winner of each congressional district and two to the statewide winner.

What is the unit rule or winner-take-all system?

The statewide popular-vote winner generally receives all of that state's electoral votes.

How many electoral votes does Texas have in the 2024 and 2028 presidential elections?

40.

What does the 12th Amendment require?

Electors cast separate ballots for President and Vice President.

Why was the 12th Amendment adopted?

The original Electoral College system caused problems, especially in the election of 1800, when President and Vice President were not elected on separate ballots.

What happens if no presidential candidate wins an electoral-vote majority?

The House chooses the President from the top three candidates, with each state delegation receiving one vote.

What happens if no vice-presidential candidate wins an electoral-vote majority?

The Senate chooses the Vice President from the top two candidates.

What does the 23rd Amendment do?

It gives Washington, D.C., electoral votes.

What does the 22nd Amendment do?

It generally limits a person to being elected President twice.

Who represents Texas's 17th Congressional District (TX-17)?

Pete Sessions, Republican.

Who are the two U.S. senators from Texas?

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both Republicans.

Who is the Speaker of the House?

Mike Johnson, Republican.

Who is the Senate Majority Leader?

John Thune, Republican.

Who is the Senate Minority Leader?

Chuck Schumer, Democrat.

What does Article I establish?

The legislative branch, Congress.

What does Article II establish?

The executive branch, headed by the President.

What does Article III establish?

The judicial branch, including the federal judiciary.

What are the formal qualifications to be President?

A natural-born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years old, and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years.

How long is a presidential term?

4 years.

What is the President's advisory board called?

The Cabinet.

What does the President do as Commander in Chief?

Serves as the civilian leader of the U.S. armed forces.

What is the President's role as chief diplomat?

Represents the United States in foreign relations, negotiates treaties, receives ambassadors, and directs diplomatic policy.

Who must approve treaties negotiated by the President?

Two-thirds of senators present must consent.

Who nominates federal judges and ambassadors?

The President, usually subject to Senate advice and consent.

What is the President's pardon power?

The power to grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment.

What does Article II, Section 3 require the President to do regarding laws?

Take care that the laws are faithfully executed.

What is the President's State of the Union responsibility?

To report to Congress on the state of the union and recommend measures.

What can the President do if Congress is not in session and an extraordinary situation arises?

Convening one or both chambers of Congress.

What are the Vice President's constitutional roles?

Presides over the Senate, breaks tie votes, and succeeds to the presidency under constitutional rules.

Does the Vice President automatically lead an executive department?

No. The Vice President may receive duties from the President but does not automatically head an executive department.

Who impeaches a federal official?

The House of Representatives.

Who tries an impeachment case and can convict the official?

The Senate.

What does impeachment mean?

The formal accusation of a federal official by the House; it does not itself remove the official.

What did the Framers want from the presidency?

An effective executive able to enforce laws, protect national security, and respond decisively, while remaining constitutionally limited.

Who wrote Federalist No. 70?

Alexander Hamilton.

What is Hamilton's main argument in Federalist No. 70?

The United States needs an energetic executive for effective government.

What are the four ingredients Hamilton associates with an energetic executive?

Unity, duration, adequate support, and competent powers.

Why is unity important to Hamilton's energetic executive?

A single executive can act decisively and makes accountability clearer.

What does duration contribute to an energetic executive?

A sufficient term allows the President to gain experience and maintain consistent policies.

Why does an energetic executive need adequate support?

The executive needs sufficient financial and institutional independence to carry out duties.

Why does an energetic executive need competent powers?

The President needs sufficient constitutional authority to perform executive responsibilities.

What are the characteristics of an energetic executive?

Decision, speed, consistency, and the ability to act effectively, with secrecy when necessary.

Why did Hamilton believe an energetic executive was important?

It helps protect national security, enforce laws, preserve liberty, and ensure effective government.

What is Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer about?

President Truman's seizure of steel mills during the Korean War without authorization from Congress.

What was the constitutional question in Youngstown?

Whether the President could seize private steel mills without congressional authorization.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Youngstown?

The Court ruled against Truman because he lacked legal authority to seize the steel mills.

What did Justice Jackson's concurrence in Youngstown establish?

A three-category framework for evaluating presidential power based on Congress's position.

What is Category 1 of Justice Jackson's Youngstown framework?

The President acts with congressional authorization; presidential power is at its maximum.

What is Category 2 of Justice Jackson's Youngstown framework?

Congress is silent; presidential power lies in a zone of twilight.

What is Category 3 of Justice Jackson's Youngstown framework?

The President acts against Congress's expressed or implied will; presidential power is at its lowest ebb.

Which case is associated with the President's power being at its maximum, in a zone of twilight, or at its lowest ebb?

Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, Justice Jackson's concurrence.

What is INS v. Chadha about?

Congress using a one-house legislative veto to reverse an executive decision about deportation.

What constitutional principles were involved in INS v. Chadha?

Bicameralism, presentment, and separation of powers.

What did the Court decide in INS v. Chadha?

It struck down the legislative veto at issue because it bypassed constitutional lawmaking procedures.