U.S. Congress Structure and Functions
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Questions and Answers

How long is each congressional term?

  • Two years (correct)
  • One year
  • Three years
  • Four years

On what date does each congressional term begin?

  • December 31
  • February 1
  • January 1
  • January 3 (correct)

How many sessions are there in a congressional term?

  • Four
  • Three
  • Two (correct)
  • One

What occurs when both houses of Congress agree to adjourn?

<p>Congress adjourns (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long is each session of Congress?

<p>One year (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What branch of government is described in Article I of the Constitution?

<p>Legislative branch (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the framers of the Constitution prioritize in the organization of government?

<p>Power of the legislature (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might the framers have assigned more power to the legislative branch?

<p>To avoid concentration of power in a single leader (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Article I is correct?

<p>It outlines the powers of the legislative branch (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of assigning more power to the legislature?

<p>Potential for gridlock in government (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a bill to be sent to the president?

<p>Agreement on the wording by both houses (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the legislative process in Congress?

<p>Both houses must collaborate to pass a law. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the system that requires both houses to agree on legislation?

<p>Bicameral agreement (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the organization of Congress provide security to the people?

<p>Through checks and balances within the legislature (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What perspective does James Madison provide about the organization of Congress?

<p>It offers a double security for the people. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the total number of members in the House of Representatives?

<p>435 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become a Representative?

<p>Be a native-born citizen (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which age must a person be to qualify to become a member of the House of Representatives?

<p>25 years old (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

For how long must a person be a US citizen before running for the House of Representatives?

<p>7 years (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly reflects the residency requirement for a Representative?

<p>Must be a resident of the state they represent (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the length of a Senate term?

<p>Six years (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many Senate seats are contested at any given election?

<p>One-third of the Senate seats (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of staggering Senate terms?

<p>To prevent all seats from being contested at once (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a Senator's term is six years long, how often can they be elected before needing to leave?

<p>Indefinitely (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What fraction of Senate seats are contested in a single election cycle?

<p>1/3 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does bicameral mean in the context of Congress?

<p>Having two separate legislative bodies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are members of the House of Representatives selected?

<p>Based on the population of the states (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the total number of Senators in the Senate?

<p>100 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many delegates does each state have in the Senate?

<p>Two delegates (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of having two separate legislative bodies in Congress?

<p>To balance the influence of smaller and larger states (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age requirement to become a Senator?

<p>30 years old (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which legislative body represents states based on their population?

<p>The House of Representatives (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the President Pro Tempore in the Senate?

<p>To lead Senate proceedings in the Vice President's absence (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become a Senator?

<p>Be a member of a political party (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many years of US citizenship are required to become a Senator?

<p>9 years (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'pro tempore' mean?

<p>For the time being (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is typically chosen to be the President Pro Tempore of the Senate?

<p>The longest-serving senator of the ruling party (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the composition of the Senate?

<p>Senators are elected for a 6-year term (A), There are no term limits for Senators (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a notable example of a President Pro Tempore?

<p>Patty Murray (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one responsibility that the President Pro Tempore does NOT have?

<p>Determining the Senate agenda (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can a governor do if a senator dies during their term?

<p>Call a special election or select a new senator (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the last senator to die in office in 2023?

<p>Dianne Feinstein (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who did Governor Gavin Newsom select to replace Dianne Feinstein?

<p>Laphonza Butler (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What pledge did Governor Gavin Newsom make regarding the replacement for Feinstein?

<p>To select a Black woman (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What action is NOT an option for a governor if a senator dies in office?

<p>Choose a replacement from another state (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the official title of the Vice President in relation to the Senate?

<p>President of the Senate (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How often does the Vice President attend Senate sessions?

<p>Rarely (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When does the Vice President of the Senate cast a vote?

<p>Only during a tie (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the frequency of a tie requiring the Vice President to vote?

<p>Uncommon (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles does the Vice President not regularly perform?

<p>Participating in Senate debates (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Legislative Power

Congress, the legislative branch, has the most power, according to the Constitution.

Framers' Intent

The founders of the U.S. intended Congress to have greater power.

Article I

This part of the Constitution describes the legislative branch.

Congress's Power

Congress has more power than any other branch.

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Legislative Branch

The part of government responsible for creating laws.

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Bicameral Congress

A two-house legislative body.

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House of Representatives

Part of Congress based on state population.

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Senate Representation

Two senators per state.

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House Representation

Representatives based on population.

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Congress Makeup

Made up of the House & Senate

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Congress's lawmaking process

A law cannot be passed by one house of Congress alone; both houses must agree on the wording before sending it to the president.

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Congressional agreement

Both houses must agree on a bill's wording before it can proceed to the president.

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Lawmaking in Congress

Congress requires both house approvals for a bill before it becomes a law, ensuring a thorough review process.

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Checks and Balances

A principle of government where one branch's power is checked by another, like requiring both houses to agree on a bill.

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Madison's view of congressional organization

James Madison believed this organization would protect the people, ensuring proper lawmaking.

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Congressional Term

A two-year period in which Congress meets, beginning on January 3rd.

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Session

A one-year period within a congressional term. Congress meets for two sessions per term.

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What are the two parts of a Congressional term?

A congressional term is divided into two one-year sessions.

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When does Congress adjourn?

Congress adjourns when both the House of Representatives and the Senate agree to do so.

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How long is a Congressional session?

Each session of Congress lasts one year.

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Senator Eligibility: Age

To be a senator, you must be at least 30 years old.

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Senator Eligibility: Citizenship

To be a senator, you must be a U.S. citizen for at least nine years.

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Senator Eligibility: Residency

To be a senator, you must be a legal resident of the state you represent.

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Senate: Equal Representation

The Senate ensures each state has equal power, regardless of population.

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Senator Vacancy

When a senator dies during their term, the governor of their state can choose a replacement or call a special election.

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Governor's Role

A governor has the authority to select a replacement senator or call for a special election if a senator dies.

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Special Election

A special election is held to fill a vacant seat in the Senate, allowing voters to choose the next representative.

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Recent Senator Death

Senator Diane Feinstein was the last senator to die in office in 2023.

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Governor's Pledges

Governors can make commitments, like selecting a specific type of candidate, when filling vacant Senate seats.

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House Size

The House of Representatives has 435 members, making it significantly larger than the Senate.

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Representative Requirements

To be a Representative, you must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state you represent.

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What does a Representative do?

A Representative represents the people of their district and votes on laws in the House of Representatives.

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Senate vs. House

The House focuses on population representation, with more members than the Senate, which has two members per state.

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Senate Term Length

Senators serve six-year terms.

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Staggered Senate Elections

Only one-third of Senate seats are up for election every two years.

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Why Staggered Elections?

Staggering elections prevents the entire Senate from changing at once, ensuring continuity and stability.

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Senate Continuity

Staggered elections ensure that experienced senators are always present, providing institutional knowledge and experience.

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Senate Elections Schedule

Staggered elections happen every two years, with a different group of 1/3 of senators being contested.

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President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States holds this position, presiding over the Senate.

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Senate Session Attendance

The Vice President rarely attends Senate sessions, except for specific situations.

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Vice President's Vote

The Vice President votes only when there is a 50-50 tie in the Senate.

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Tiebreaking Vote Frequency

Even when the Vice President votes due to a tie, it's not a common occurrence.

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Vice President's Role in Senate

The Vice President's role is primarily ceremonial and involves voting only in tie situations.

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President Pro Tempore

The temporary leader of the Senate when the Vice President is absent.

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Senate Leadership in VP's Absence

The Senate chooses a president pro tempore to lead proceedings when the Vice President is unavailable.

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Latin Meaning of Pro Tempore

Pro tempore is a Latin phrase meaning 'for the time being' or 'for the time being'.

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President Pro Tempore Tradition

Traditionally, the longest-serving senator from the majority party is chosen to be president pro tempore.

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Example of a President Pro Tempore

Patty Murray of Washington state served as President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

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