Government Chapter 5-7

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws; consists of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Congress

Is divided into two houses: Senate (upper) and House of Representatives (lower).

Senate

The upper house of Congress; members are called senators.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress; members are called congressmen.

Congressional Term

A term lasts 2 years, divided into 2 sessions, running from January to November or December.

Constituent

A person represented by a member of Congress.

Majority Party

The political party with the most members in a house of Congress.

Minority Party

The political party with the fewest members in a house of Congress.

House of Representatives Members

435 members; each represents approximately 760,000 people.

Apportionment

The first allocation of House seats based on a census.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of House seats after each census; often leads to gerrymandering.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives.

Senate Members

2 senators from each state, totaling 100 members.

Senatorial Term

Senators serve 6-year terms; 1/3 of the Senate runs for election every 2 years.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the U.S.; presides over the Senate but rarely votes.

President Pro Tempore

The senator who runs the Senate when the VP is absent.

Committees

There are 3 types: standing, select, and joint; usually 15 members with majority party control.

Committee Chair

A member of the majority party who leads a committee.

Ranking Member

A member of the minority party in a committee.

Legislative Powers

Powers granted to Congress by the Constitution, including expressed and implied powers.

Expressed Powers

Specific powers listed in Article 1, Section 8, including money, commerce, and military powers.

Implied Powers

Powers derived from the necessary and proper clause to carry out expressed powers.

Non-Legislative Powers

Powers of Congress not related to lawmaking, such as impeachment and approving treaties.

Impeachment

Process where the House brings charges against federal officials and the Senate holds the trial.

Powers Forbidden to Congress

Include bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, suspending habeas corpus (except in war), and granting titles of nobility.

Requirements for House Members

Must be 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and live in the district they represent.

Requirements for Senators

Must be 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and live in the state they represent.

Privileges of Congress

Includes pay, franking privileges, and limited immunity from prosecution.

Pork Barrel Projects

Projects benefiting a specific district but unnecessary for the country as a whole.

Ear Marks

Specific allocations of money for a particular project or location.

Private Bill

A bill that applies to a specific person, place, or thing.

Public Bill

A bill that applies to the entire country.

House Resolution

A resolution passed only by the House of Representatives.

Senate Resolution

A resolution passed only by the Senate.

Joint Resolution

A resolution passed by both the House and Senate; can become law if signed by the President.

Continuing Resolution

A resolution to continue government operations when a formal law hasn’t passed.

Bill Introduction

Anyone can draft a bill, but only members of Congress can formally introduce it; money bills must start in the House.

Committee Stage

Committees review bills for efficiency; pigeonholing can occur if a bill is set aside.

Debate in House

Debate limited to 1 hour per member; amendments must relate to the bill.

Debate in Senate

No time limit; amendments can be unrelated; filibuster can be used to delay votes.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic where a senator talks endlessly to block a bill.

Cloture

Procedure to end a filibuster; requires 3/5 of Senate (60 votes).

Voting Methods

Voice vote, standing vote, roll call vote.

Conference Committee

Members from both houses resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Presidential Options with Bills

Sign into law, veto, pocket veto, or allow to become law after 10 days.

Veto Override

Requires 2/3 of both chambers (67 senators, 360 House members) to pass a bill despite a presidential veto.