Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of redistricting?
What does gerrymandering affect most directly?
What role does the Senate play regarding presidential appointments?
Which government body primarily conducts congressional oversight?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the minimum required vote in the Senate to convict an impeached official?
Signup and view all the answers
Impeachment processes in Congress begin with which authority?
Signup and view all the answers
Who serves as the presiding officer and administrative head of the House of Representatives?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the maximum number of representatives set by the Permanent Apportionment Act?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement accurately describes the approval of treaties by the Senate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the process of reallocating House seats based on population called?
Signup and view all the answers
What function do congressional committees primarily serve?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the nature of congressional committees?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs at the beginning of each Congressional Session?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Chuck Schumer's current position?
Signup and view all the answers
How many vacancies were noted in the House of Representatives?
Signup and view all the answers
What establishes the structure and functions of Congress?
Signup and view all the answers
Which amendment allows for the direct election of Senators?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the total number of members in the House of Representatives?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the minimum age requirement to be a member of the Senate?
Signup and view all the answers
How long is the term for a Senator?
Signup and view all the answers
What determines representation in the House of Representatives?
Signup and view all the answers
Who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of the Senate is up for reelection every two years?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Legislative Branch Overview
- Article I of the US Constitution details the powers and limitations of Congress.
- Congress is a bicameral legislature, consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Bicameral Legislature Requirements
- The US Senate, known as the "Upper House," has 100 members.
- House of Representatives, termed the "Lower House," consists of 435 members.
- Minimum age for Senate members is 30, and terms last for 6 years without term limits.
- Minimum age for House members is 25, with 2-year terms and no term limits.
- The 17th Amendment allows for direct election of Senators.
- One-third of Senate seats are up for reelection every 2 years, with equal representation (2 per state) in the Senate.
Leadership in The Senate
- The Vice President votes in case of a tie and presides over the Senate.
- When absent, the President Pro Tempore presides over sessions.
- Majority leaders are elected by party senators, with significant power to influence legislation and committee membership.
- Current Senate Majority Leader: Chuck Schumer.
Roles of The Senate
- The Senate possesses the "advice and consent" power, approving treaties and presidential appointments.
- Treaties require a two-thirds majority approval from the Senate.
Leadership in the House of Representatives
- The House is composed of 220 Democrats and 211 Republicans, with some vacancies.
- The Speaker of the House, currently Mike Johnson, serves as the presiding officer, assigns bills to committees, and determines voting schedules.
Congressional Districts Creation
- The Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929 set the maximum number of House representatives at 435.
- Reapportionment reallocates House seats based on population data, with Texas gaining two seats following the 2020 Census.
- Redistricting is managed by state legislatures, ensuring equal population distribution across districts.
- Gerrymandering influences election outcomes by drawing districts with political intent.
Roles of Congress
- Congressional oversight monitors agency rule-making and implementation of policies through committees.
- Notable investigations include the 2012 Benghazi incident, Hunter Biden inquiries, and the January 6 Capitol attack.
Impeachment Process
- Impeachment is a formal charge by the House against the president for serious offenses, requiring a vote to impeach.
- The Senate conducts trials, requiring a two-thirds vote for conviction.
- Historical impeachments include Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump; Nixon resigned before a full House vote.
Congressional Committees
- Committees are small groups focused on specific policy or procedural issues to facilitate Congress's workload and specialization.
- Both the House and Senate utilize committees to streamline legislative processes.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the Legislative Branch of the United States government, as outlined in Article I of the Constitution. This quiz covers the bicameral structure, the requirements for Senate and House members, and key leadership roles. Enhance your understanding of how Congress operates and its powers.
