House of Representatives Vocabulary

Questions and Answers

What are constituents?

Members of a voting district (correct)

Voting restrictions

Rules set by the House

Leaders of a political party

What is the purpose of a caucus?

A group of people with shared concerns within a political party or larger organization.

What is the role of the majority leader?

The head of the majority party in a legislative body.

What is the role of whips?

To ensure party discipline in a legislature. Signup and view all the answers

What is a bill?

Proposed legislation under consideration by a legislature. Signup and view all the answers

What are calendars in the context of government?

The accounting year of a government or business. Signup and view all the answers

What is a quorum?

The minimum number of members required to be present for a meeting to be valid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Speaker of the House?

To preside over and lead the House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Minority Leader's function?

The floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative body. Signup and view all the answers

What does the House Rules Committee do?

Determines the rules under which other bills will come to the floor. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the President of the Senate?

The Vice President of the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the President Pro Temp?

Presides over the US Senate in the absence of the Vice President. Signup and view all the answers

What is a filibuster?

An act in an obstructive manner in a legislature, especially by speaking at inordinate length. Signup and view all the answers

What is cloture?

A motion aimed at ending debate on a bill. Signup and view all the answers

What are standing committees?

Committees that recommend and revise bills for Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What are subcommittees?

Specialized groups under standing committees focusing on specific issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Select Committee?

To study specific issues of great public concern. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Joint Committee?

A committee that coordinates work between both chambers of Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a Conference Committee?

To work out differences when the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Reapportionment Act of 1929 establish?

Set the House of Representatives at 435 members. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Census?

To collect demographic data about the population. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Definitions

Constituents: Individuals representing a voting district.
Caucus: A group sharing common interests within a political party or broader organization.
Majority Leader: Head of the majority party in a legislative body, crucial for party strategy.
Whips: Officials responsible for party discipline and member attendance during votes.
Bill: Proposed legislation awaiting consideration by the legislature.
Calendars: Fiscal framework indicating the accounting year; in the U.S., it runs from October 1 to September 30.
Quorum: Minimum required members present for valid meeting proceedings, ensuring representation.

Structure of the House of Representatives

Speaker of the House: Constitutional and effective leader responsible for guiding the House's operations.
Caucus Division: The House is primarily comprised of Democratic and Republican Caucuses.
Majority Caucus: Includes key officers such as the Majority Leader and Majority Whip, with the Majority Leader being subordinate to the Speaker.
Minority Caucus: Comprises the Minority Leader and Minority Whip, mirroring the structure of the Majority Caucus.

Roles and Functionality

Speaker of the House Roles: Acts as presiding officer, administrative head, and representative member of the House.
House Rules Committee: Establishes rules governing when and how bills are presented for consideration.

Structure of the Senate

President of the Senate: The Vice President of the U.S. but plays a limited role in day-to-day Senate activities.
Majority Structure: The Senate Majority Leader leads the Senate operations; assisted by the Majority Whip.
Minority Structure: Comprises the Senate Minority Leader and Minority Whip.

Legislative Procedures

Filibuster: Tactic to delay or obstruct legislation, typically by lengthy speaking.
Cloture: Process to end debate swiftly, also known informally as a guillotine.

Committees and Their Functions

Standing Committees: Permanent committees that recommend and revise bills.
Subcommittees: Focus on specialized areas within standing committees.
Select Committee: Investigates specific issues or public concerns, such as scandals.
Joint Committee: Facilitates coordination between the House and Senate members.
Conference Committee: Resolves discrepancies between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Reapportionment and Census

Reapportionment Act of 1929: Established a cap of 435 members for the House of Representatives.
Census: A periodic count of the population, affecting representation and resource allocation.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms related to the structure of the House of Representatives. This quiz covers important concepts such as constituents, majority leaders, and party caucuses. Perfect for students of political science or anyone looking to enhance their understanding of U.S. governance.