Questions and Answers
What are concurrent powers of the Senate and House of Representatives? (Select all that apply)
What is one exclusive power of the House of Representatives?
The power to originate all money bills.
What is one exclusive power of the Senate?
Advice and consent powers for presidential appointments.
What aspect differentiates the House from the Senate in terms of internal workings?
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The impeachment process is solely based on policy failures.
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What does the advice and consent power of the Senate entail?
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What is pork barreling in the legislative process?
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Study Notes
Concurrent Powers of the Senate and House of Representatives
- Both chambers share legislative power, requiring agreement to override presidential vetoes and pass laws.
- Act in case of a deadlock in the Electoral College following a presidential election.
- Conduct oversight and scrutiny of the executive branch.
- Hold the power to declare war.
- Propose and pass constitutional amendments with a two-thirds majority.
- Involved in impeachment processes: House drafts Articles of Impeachment; Senate conducts the trial (e.g., Clinton acquitted in 1998).
Exclusive Powers of the House of Representatives
- Originates all financial-related bills; taxation begins in the House before moving to the Senate.
- Controls financial agenda through the Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees, influencing government spending.
Exclusive Powers of the Senate
- Exercises advice and consent powers on presidential appointments and treaties.
- Confirmation of appointments (e.g., Supreme Court justices) requires a simple majority; notable rejections include Bork in 1987 and Tower in 1989.
- Ratification of treaties, requiring a two-thirds majority; examples: Start Treaty ratified in 2010, rejection of treaties like Versailles (1919) and SALT II (1979).
- Opposition to a UN treaty on the rights of the disabled in 2012 exemplifies Senate's influence on foreign policy.
Internal Workings and Procedures of the Two Houses
- The House operates under formal rules with a speaker, limited debate, and has 435 members.
- The Senate, chaired by the Vice President, has more informal procedures and a tradition of unlimited debate (filibusters).
- Both Houses engage in committee work, pork barreling, log rolling, and coalition building to secure votes.
- Growing polarization in party ties has resulted in fewer centrist lawmakers, impacting local and state elections (e.g., Bob Bennett in 2010).
Impeachment Process
- Congressional procedure involving a formal accusation by the House, with the Senate convicting only by a two-thirds majority.
- Serves as the exclusive method for Congress to remove a sitting president from office.
Advice and Consent Powers
- Senate's exclusive power over presidential appointments influences executive branch and judicial nominations.
- Ratification power provides Senate oversight of foreign policy, subject to political challenges, especially in divided government situations.
Pork Barrelling
- Legislative members pursue local constituency benefits by securing federal funds for projects through riders or earmarks, enhancing local political support.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the concurrent powers of the Senate and the House of Representatives with these flashcards. Learn about legislative powers, the Electoral College, and the authority to declare war. Perfect for students studying U.S. government and civics.
