Congress & The Constitution Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the major responsibilities of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)?

  • To provide information and estimates for funding various agencies and programs (correct)
  • To allocate funding for earmarks
  • To create the federal budget
  • To determine the amount of money Congress will spend on programs and agencies

Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress by the Constitution?

  • The power to appoint federal judges (correct)
  • The power to declare war
  • The power to ratify treaties
  • The power to set the federal budget

What is the purpose of 'logrolling' in the context of budgeting?

  • It's a system of trading votes to gain support for earmarks (correct)
  • It's a method for making decisions about funding for national security
  • It's a way to ensure that every state receives equal funding
  • It's a process used to reduce the amount of money spent on earmarks

What is a major difference between 'oversight' and 'earmarks' in the context of congressional power?

<p>Oversight involves investigating potential wrongdoings, while earmarks focus on funding specific projects (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the system of checks and balances work in the context of the Budgeting Process?

<p>The branches must cooperate and compromise to pass a budget that reflects the needs of the country (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason the House of Representatives banned the use of earmarks in 2011?

<p>To prevent members of Congress from unfairly favoring their own districts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of congressional oversight?

<p>To ensure that laws are carried out as intended by Congress (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Congress exert control over the Supreme Court?

<p>Congress can set the number of justices on the Supreme Court (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement to be a member of the House of Representatives?

<p>Be a member of a political party (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason the framers of the Constitution created a bicameral legislature?

<p>To provide a system of checks and balances within Congress itself (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is most directly related to the idea that "the people come first" in the Constitution?

<p>The direct election of members of the House of Representatives (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate in terms of representation?

<p>The House represents specific districts, while the Senate represents entire states (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the length of a Senator's term compare to that of a Representative?

<p>Senators serve longer terms (6 years) than Representatives (2 years) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the example of the Dingell family illustrate the idea of terms in Congress?

<p>It highlights the possibility of long-term political dynasties (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important power granted to Congress by the Constitution?

<p>The power to pass laws in areas of national policy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered one of the three main areas of Congress's powers?

<p>Appointing federal judges (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Bicameral Legislature

A two-chambered lawmaking body, like Congress.

Great Compromise

The agreement that established a bicameral legislature.

House of Representatives

The chamber of Congress directly elected and serving 2-year terms.

Senate

The chamber of Congress that serves 6-year terms and is insulated from public passions.

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17th Amendment

The amendment that allowed for direct election of Senators by voters.

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Term Limits in Congress

There are no term limits for members of Congress.

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Powers of Congress

Congress's main powers are lawmaking, budgeting, and oversight.

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Legislative Authority

The primary power of Congress to pass laws.

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Enumerated Powers of Congress

Specific powers granted to Congress outlined in the Constitution.

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Power of the Sword

Congress's authority to conduct foreign policy and declare war.

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Power of the Purse

Congress's power to tax, manage budgets, and allocate funding.

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Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

An agency that provides cost estimates and budget information for Congress.

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Pork Barrel Spending

Allocation of funds for local projects to please constituents and win votes.

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Logrolling

The practice of trading votes among members of Congress to pass legislation.

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Oversight Authority

Congress's ability to monitor and ensure laws are implemented correctly.

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Checks and Balances

System to prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful.

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Study Notes

Congress & The Constitution

  • Congress is the longest and most detailed article of the Constitution
  • Bicameral Legislature (two-chambered) created by the Great Compromise
  • Madison believed in checks and balances, and that the two chambers would check each other

Differences of the House and Senate

  • House of Representatives:
    • Directly elected by voters
    • Serve 2-year terms
    • Must be at least 25 years old
    • US citizen for 7 years
    • Resident of the state
  • Senate:
    • Originally chosen by state legislators, now directly elected by voters
    • Serve 6-year terms
    • Must be at least 30 years old
    • US citizen for 9 years
    • Resident of the state
  • No term limits for members of Congress

Powers of Congress

  • Legislative Authority: Power to make laws in national policy areas (economic, security, foreign)
  • Budgeting: Sets the federal budget and funds agencies/programs
  • Oversight: Ensures laws are implemented as intended, investigates wrongdoing
  • Impeachment: Power to remove federal officials (President, etc.) through a process

The Budgeting Process

  • Congress sets annual budget
  • Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provides information & estimates
  • Pork barrel spending (earmarks) may be used, though earmarks have been banned in some contexts

Exercising Checks and Balances

  • Congress & other branches share authority over some government aspects (e.g., Congress declares war, Senate ratifies treaties; President commands armed forces)
  • Congress checks the executive branch (President) by investigating and making oversight
  • Senate confirms presidential appointments to courts, important bureaucracy positions
  • Impeachment process: House brings charges, Senate tries the official; high majority needed for conviction

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