Legislative Flashcards

Legislative Branch Overview

• Legislation refers to the act of making or enacting laws.
• The Legislative Branch is responsible for creating laws in government.

Powers of Congress

• Expressed powers are directly stated in the Constitution, including declaring war and approving presidential appointments.
• Enumerated powers explicitly granted to Congress in the Constitution.
• Implied powers are not specifically mentioned but are inferred from the expressed powers.
• The Elastic Clause allows Congress to perform actions needed to carry out its enumerated powers, though it may lead to legal challenges regarding its interpretation.

Congressional Structure and Requirements

• Senators must be at least 30 years old, have lived in the U.S. for nine years, and be residents of the states they represent, serving six-year terms with no term limits.
• Members of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, U.S. citizens for seven years, and elected by constituents in their districts, serving two-year terms.

Legislative Processes

• Reapportionment involves redistributing representation based on population changes after the census.
• A simple majority, defined as more than 50% plus one, is needed for many decisions.
• A 2/3 majority is required to override presidential vetoes.

Legislative Procedures

• A filibuster allows a senator to delay proceedings and prevent a vote.
• Cloture is a procedure used to terminate debate and end filibusters.
• Mark-up is the process of revising bills by congressional committees, with changes becoming official only if approved.

Functions of Congress

• The Senate has exclusive powers to confirm executive and judicial appointments, ratify treaties, and conduct oversight, particularly during impeachment trials.
• The House of Representatives is responsible for enacting laws, initiating tax bills, and filing impeachment charges.

Citizen Engagement

• Citizens can get involved in Congress by contacting legislators, using media, proposing ideas for bills, or campaigning for congressional candidates.

Congressional Committees

• Congressional committees are essential for managing specific legislative tasks within the broader structure of Congress.
• They play a crucial role in the bill-marking process, which includes amendments and revisions before a bill is presented for a vote.

Representation in California

• California is represented by 52 members in Congress.

Test your knowledge of key legislative terms with these flashcards. This quiz covers definitions and concepts such as legislation, expressed powers, and the Elastic Clause. Enhance your understanding of how laws are made and the powers of Congress.