Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the principle behind the number of representatives in the House being proportional to each state's population?
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the principle behind the number of representatives in the House being proportional to each state's population?
- A state with a rapidly growing population gains additional representatives after each census. (correct)
- A state with a large land area but sparse population has more representatives to account for logistical challenges.
- Each state has the same number of representatives to ensure equal representation of regional interests.
- A state with a historically significant population is guaranteed a minimum number of representatives regardless of its current population.
How does the structure of terms in the Senate, with staggered elections, affect the legislative process?
How does the structure of terms in the Senate, with staggered elections, affect the legislative process?
- It causes frequent shifts in policy as the entire Senate is replaced every six years.
- It leads to quicker action on legislation due to increased accountability to voters.
- It encourages senators to focus on short-term gains rather than long-term planning.
- It ensures that the Senate maintains a degree of stability and experience, even during periods of significant political change. (correct)
If a new issue arises that requires a national policy, which constitutional principle grants Congress the authority to address it, even if it's not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution?
If a new issue arises that requires a national policy, which constitutional principle grants Congress the authority to address it, even if it's not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution?
- Enumerated powers, outlining the specific powers granted to Congress.
- Delegated powers, specifically given to Congress by the states.
- Implied powers, derived from the necessary and proper clause. (correct)
- Inherent powers, possessed by all sovereign nations.
Why is the power to declare war vested in the legislative branch rather than the executive branch?
Why is the power to declare war vested in the legislative branch rather than the executive branch?
How does the act of filibustering in the Senate impact the legislative process?
How does the act of filibustering in the Senate impact the legislative process?
Which scenario exemplifies the 'franking privilege' and its intended purpose?
Which scenario exemplifies the 'franking privilege' and its intended purpose?
Which scenario illustrates the principle of checks and balances between the legislative and executive branches regarding treaties?
Which scenario illustrates the principle of checks and balances between the legislative and executive branches regarding treaties?
What is the primary reason for the difference in term lengths between members of the House of Representatives and Senators?
What is the primary reason for the difference in term lengths between members of the House of Representatives and Senators?
What happens to a bill if the President neither signs nor vetoes it, and Congress adjourns within 10 days of receiving the bill?
What happens to a bill if the President neither signs nor vetoes it, and Congress adjourns within 10 days of receiving the bill?
If the President and Vice President are incapacitated, who is next in the line of succession according to the Presidential Succession Act?
If the President and Vice President are incapacitated, who is next in the line of succession according to the Presidential Succession Act?
Flashcards
House of Representatives: How many members?
House of Representatives: How many members?
435 members, based on state population.
Senate: How many members?
Senate: How many members?
100 members, with each state having two representatives.
Senate terms: How long?
Senate terms: How long?
Six-year terms, staggered elections; ensures stability and experience.
House of Representatives terms: How long?
House of Representatives terms: How long?
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Who can declare war?
Who can declare war?
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Impeachment process
Impeachment process
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Who confirms federal judges?
Who confirms federal judges?
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Filibustering
Filibustering
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President's options for a Bill
President's options for a Bill
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Overriding a Presidential Veto
Overriding a Presidential Veto
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Study Notes
- Congress is also known as the legislative branch
Composition of Congress
- The House of Representatives has 435 members
- Membership is proportional to each state's population
- The Senate has 100 members
- Each state has two representatives
Terms of Office
- Senators serve six-year terms
- Senate elections are staggered
- House of Representatives members serve two-year terms
- Re-elections for the House occur every two years
Powers of the Legislative Branch
- The primary job is to make laws
- Only Congress can declare war with enumerated power
- Has the power to impeach officials by a majority vote
- The Senate then holds a trial for the impeached official
Senate Procedures
- The Senate approves or confirms federal judges
- Filibustering is a Senate strategy to "talk a bill to death"
Presidential Action on Legislation
- A president can sign a bill into law
- They can veto a bill, which Congress can override with a two-thirds majority vote
- A president can take no action
- A pocket veto occurs if the President receives a bill, waits 10 days, and Congress adjourns during that 10-day period.
Congressional Procedures
- Congress has a two-year term
- A census is conducted every 10 years to adjust the number of representatives for each state
- A governor can name someone to fill a vacant Senate seat
- The Speaker of the House is chosen by roll call vote
Presidential Succession
- The Speaker of the House is next in line to become President if anything happens to both the President and Vice President
Role of the Vice President
- The Vice President has the power to break a tie vote in the Senate
Powers of Congress
- Enumerated Powers are powers specifically given to Congress
- Implied Powers are necessary and proper to carry out expressed powers
- Inherent Powers belong to every country, such as borders
Powers of Government
- Delegated Powers are given to the federal government by the Constitution through Delegated Powers
- Concurrent Powers are shared by both federal and state governments
- Reserved Powers are not given to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, thus reserved for the states
Commerce Power
- Commerce Powers regulate interstate and foreign trade
Qualifications for Office
- Representatives must be at least 25 years old
- They must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years
- Representatives must be a resident of the state they represent
- Senators must be at least 30 years old
- They must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years
- Senators must be a resident of the state they represent
Franking Privilege
- Franking Privilege allows members of Congress to send mail to constituents without postage
Legislative Checks
- The legislative branch approves judicial appointments over the Judicial Branch
- They can impeach and remove judges
- The legislative branch can override vetoes over the executive branch
- Congress approves treaties and appointments
- Congress can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses
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