32 Questions
What is the term for the process of drawing congressional district lines to favor a political party?
Gerrymandering
What is the term for the right of members of Congress to mail official letters free of charge?
Franking Privilege
What is the term for the removal of a member of Congress for serious misconduct?
Expulsion
What is the term for a meeting of party leaders to determine party policy or choose the party's candidates for public office?
Caucus
What is the term for the presiding officer of the House of Representatives?
Speaker
What is the term for a proposed law being considered by a lawmaking body?
Bill
What is a select committee in the context of Congress?
A temporary House or Senate committee appointed to deal with an issue not handled by a standing committee
What is the seniority system in Congress?
The custom of giving leadership to committees to members of Congress with the most years of service
What is the elastic clause in Article 1, Sec. 8, of the Constitution also known as?
"Necessary and Proper" clause
What is a roll call vote in Congress?
A vote in Congress in which record is made of how each member votes
What is an example of an implied power of Congress?
A power not specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution but which is suggested to be necessary to carry out its delegated powers
What does quorum refer to in a legislative body?
The minimum number of members who must be present before a legislative body can conduct business
What is the purpose of a filibuster in the context of Congress?
To make long speeches in order to delay action on a bill in the Senate
What is an appropriation bill in the context of Congress?
A bill approving the spending of public money
What is meant by impeachment in the context of government officials?
"A formal charge brought against a government official"
"What is meant by the term ex post facto law?"
"A law that applies to an action that took place before the law was passed"
The right of members of Congress to mail official letters free of charge is called the Franking ______
Privilege
A meeting of party leaders to determine party policy or to choose the party's candidates for public office is known as a ______
caucus
The assistant of the floor leader in each house of Congress who tries to persuade party members to vote for bills the party supports is known as the party ______
whip
The official who presides over the Senate in the Vice President's absence is the President Pro ______
Tempore
The removal of a member of Congress for serious misconduct is known as ______
expulsion
A proposed law being considered by a lawmaking body is called a ______
bill
A small group in Congress formed to consider bills is known as a ______
committee
A permanent House or Senate committee that considers bills in a certain area is called a standing ______
committee
A division of a standing Congressional committee that deals with specific issues in the area handled by the committee as a whole is a ______
subcommittee
A temporary House or Senate committee appointed to deal with an issue not handled by a standing committee is known as a select ______
committee
A committee made of members of both houses of Congress to deal with matters of mutual concern is called a joint ______
committee
A temporary congressional committee made up of senators and representatives who try to reach an agreement on different versions of a bill is a conference ______
committee
The custom of giving leadership to committees to members of Congress with the most years of service is known as the seniority ______
system
Article 1, Sec. 8, of the Constitution; Known also as the 'necessary and proper' clause that allows Congress to extend its delegated powers is the ______ clause
elastic
A power not specifically granted to Congress by the constitution but which is suggested to be necessary to carry out its delegated powers is an implied ______
power
A law that applies to an action that took place before the law was passed is known as an ex post facto ______
law
Test your knowledge of key terms and processes related to the US Congress, including apportionment, gerrymandering, term limits, franking privilege, immunity, expulsion, and censure.
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