Study Guide: Understanding Congress - PDF

Study Guide: Understanding Congress How a Bill Becomes a Law A bill is an idea for a new law. Here’s the process it goes through to become an actual law: 1.​ Introduction – A member of Congress writes the bill and introduces it in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. 2.​...

Study Guide: Understanding Congress How a Bill Becomes a Law A bill is an idea for a new law. Here’s the process it goes through to become an actual law: 1.​ Introduction – A member of Congress writes the bill and introduces it in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. 2.​ Committee Review – A small group of members (committee) studies the bill and may suggest changes. 3.​ Debate & Vote – The bill is debated and voted on in the House or Senate. If it passes one, it moves to the other. 4.​ Conference Committee – If both chambers pass different versions, they work together to create one final version. 5.​ Final Vote – Both the House and Senate must approve the final version. 6.​ Presidential Action – The president can sign the bill into law, veto (reject) it, or do nothing (which may allow it to become law after 10 days). 7.​ Override Option – If the president vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Example: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 started as a bill that went through this process before becoming law. Powers of Congress Congress has several important powers, including: ​ Making Laws – Creating and passing laws. ​ Controlling Money – Setting taxes and deciding how the government spends money. ​ Declaring War – Only Congress can declare war on another country. ​ Regulating Trade – Managing trade between states and with other countries. ​ Impeachment Power – The House can accuse officials (including the president) of wrongdoing, and the Senate holds the trial. Example: Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) to regulate healthcare. Differences Between the House and Senate Feature House of Representatives Senate Number of 435 100 Members Representation Based on state population Two per state Term Length 2 years 6 years Debate Rules Limited time for debate Unlimited debate (filibuster possible) Special Powers Can start tax bills & impeach Confirms presidential appointments & officials conducts impeachment trials Example: The House starts the process of impeachment, but the Senate decides whether to remove the official from office. Committee System Congress uses committees to focus on specific issues. Types include: ​ Standing Committees – Permanent groups that handle bills (e.g., Education, Armed Services). ​ Select Committees – Temporary committees for special investigations (e.g., Watergate scandal). ​ Joint Committees – Members from both House and Senate working together. ​ Conference Committees – Helps resolve differences in House and Senate versions of a bill. Example: The Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings on Supreme Court nominees. How Members of Congress Are Elected ​ House Members – Elected every 2 years by voters in their district. ​ Senators – Elected every 6 years by voters in their state (staggered so about 1/3 is up for election every two years). ​ Requirements: ○​ House: Must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and live in the state they represent. ○​ Senate: Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and live in the state they represent. Example: In 2020, Georgia held special Senate elections, where voters chose two senators in a runoff election. How Members of Congress Vote Members consider these factors when voting: ​ Constituents’ Opinions – What the people they represent want. ​ Party Loyalty – Their political party’s stance. ​ Personal Beliefs – Their own views on issues. ​ Interest Groups & Lobbyists – Groups that advocate for policies may influence votes. Example: A representative from a farming state may vote for a bill that helps farmers, even if their party opposes it. Congressional Demographics Congress is becoming more diverse, but still does not perfectly reflect the U.S. population. ​ Gender – More women serve now than in the past (about 27% of Congress in 2023). ​ Race & Ethnicity – Growing numbers of African American, Hispanic, and Asian members. ​ Age – Congress members are often older; the average age in the Senate is about 64. ​ Education & Background – Many members are lawyers, businesspeople, or have military experience. Example: The 118th Congress (2023) was the most diverse ever, with more women and racial minorities serving than in previous years. This study guide provides a simple breakdown of key topics about Congress. Reviewing these sections will help in understanding how the U.S. government works! Key Terms and Definitions 1.​ Constituents – The people a member of Congress represents. 2.​ Reapportionment – Redistribution of House seats based on population changes. 3.​ Redistricting – Redrawing district boundaries after reapportionment. 4.​ Gerrymandering – Manipulating district lines to favor a party. 5.​ Safe Seat – A seat almost guaranteed to be won by one party. 6.​ Incumbent – A current officeholder running for reelection. 7.​ Earmarks – Funding for specific projects in a lawmaker’s district. 8.​ Politico – A legislator who balances delegate and trustee roles. 9.​ Delegate – A representative who votes based on constituents’ wishes. 10.​Trustee – A representative who votes based on their judgment. 11.​Speaker of the House – Leader of the House of Representatives. 12.​Majority Leader – Head of the majority party in the House/Senate. 13.​Minority Leader – Leader of the opposition party in the House/Senate. 14.​Congressional Whip – Assists leaders in managing party votes. 15.​Closed Rule – Limits debate and amendments on a bill. 16.​Open Rule – Allows amendments to a bill during debate.  17.​President pro tempore – Senior senator who presides over the Senate. 18.​Party Caucus – A meeting of party members in Congress. 19.​Filibuster – Prolonged Senate debate to block a vote. 20.​Cloture – A vote to end a filibuster (needs 60 votes). 21.​Congressional Oversight – Congress monitoring the executive branch. 22.​Full Faith & Credit Clause – States must honor other states’ laws. 23.​Senate Confirmation – Senate approval for presidential appointments. 24.​Conference Committee – Resolves House and Senate bill differences. 25.​Logrolling – Lawmakers trading votes for mutual benefit. 26.​Pocket Veto – President lets a bill die by not signing it. 27.​Rider – Unrelated provision added to a bill. 28.​Discharge Petition – Forces a bill out of committee for a vote. 29.​Congressional Budget Office – Provides budget and economic data. Here’s how these powers are divided between the two chambers of Congress: ​ Impose taxes – House of Representatives (All tax bills must originate in the House). ​ Approve treaties – Senate (Requires a two-thirds vote for treaty approval). ​ Impeach the President or a judge – House of Representatives (Has the sole power to bring impeachment charges). ​ Confirm Supreme Court nominees – Senate (Approves judicial and executive appointments). ​ Try the President or a judge after impeachment – Senate (Acts as the jury in impeachment trials, requiring a two-thirds vote for conviction). Key Questions & Answers 1.​ Who draws U.S. congressional district lines? – State legislatures redraw district lines every 10 years based on the Census. 2.​ Difference between redistricting and reapportionment? – Reapportionment is redistributing House seats among states; redistricting is redrawing district lines. 3.​ Why is bicameralism important? – It balances power between large and small states and prevents hasty legislation. 4.​ Major differences in House and Senate? – Size, term length, debate rules, and special powers. 5.​ Who has more power, a representative or a senator? – Senators have more influence due to longer terms and fewer members. 6.​ Most powerful job in Congress? – Speaker of the House. 7.​ Who does the Senate confirm? – Judges, Cabinet members, and ambassadors. 8.​ Congressional checks on presidency/judiciary? – Impeachment, overriding vetoes, approving appointments. 9.​ Steps for a bill to become law? – Introduction, committee review, debate, vote, reconciliation, final approval, presidential action. 10.​How does a whip keep members in line? – Encourages party unity, gathers votes. 11.​Congressional portion to override veto? – Two-thirds of both chambers. 12.​Ways to kill a bill? – Filibuster, pigeonholing, committee rejection, veto, ignoring it. 13.​Power of Rules Committee? – Controls debate and amendments on bills. 14.​Divided government impact? – Slows down legislation due to party conflicts. 15.​Subcommittees vs. parent committees? – Subcommittees handle details, parent committees oversee. 16.​Speaker’s powers? – Sets agenda, assigns bills to committees, controls floor debate.  17.​Committee system in lawmaking? – Filters bills, conducts hearings, amends legislation. 18.​Why more minority reps in House? – Smaller districts allow for diverse representation. 19.​Top five powers of Congress? – Taxing, spending, declaring war, regulating commerce, impeachment. 20.​Midterm election effects? – Often reduces the president’s party’s seats. 21.​Senators as trustees? – Longer terms give them more independence. 22.​Top considerations for voting? – Constituents, party, personal beliefs, lobbyists, future elections. 23.​Changing congressional demographics? – More diversity in race, gender, background. 24.​Authorizing vs. appropriations committees? – Authorizing creates programs; appropriations funds them. 25.​Best committee to join? – Depends on interests (e.g., Appropriations for budget influence). Practice Questions and Answer Key 1.​ In general, a member of the House of Representatives who wishes to be influential in the House itself would most likely seek a place on which of the following committees? ○​ Correct Answer: Ways and Means ○​ Rationale: The Ways and Means Committee handles taxation and revenue, making it one of the most powerful committees in the House. 2.​ Logrolling refers to: ○​ Correct Answer: Trading votes with colleagues ○​ Rationale: Logrolling is when legislators agree to support each other's bills to secure votes. 3.​ Which of the following best describes pork barrel politics? ○​ Correct Answer: Members of Congress negotiate bills so that individual districts get money for projects that do not necessarily benefit the nation as a whole. ○​ Rationale: Pork barrel spending directs government funds to specific local projects to gain political support. 4.​ During midterm elections: ○​ Correct Answer: The president’s party tends to lose seats ○​ Rationale: Historically, the party of the sitting president loses congressional seats during midterms. 5.​ Usually, the chair of a standing committee will be the member of the committee who is: ○​ Correct Answer: The senior member of the majority party ○​ Rationale: Seniority and party majority typically determine committee leadership. 6.​ On a bill with high visibility, members of Congress are most likely to vote: ○​ Correct Answer: In keeping with the desires of their constituents ○​ Rationale: On major issues, members tend to follow public opinion to secure re-election. 7.​ A discharge petition does which of the following? ○​ Correct Answer: Forces a bill out of committee ○​ Rationale: A discharge petition allows the House to bring a bill to the floor without committee approval. 8.​ Conference committees: ○​ Correct Answer: Work out compromises between House and Senate versions of bills ○​ Rationale: Conference committees resolve differences between bills passed by both chambers. 9.​ A Senator can often prevent the Senate from voting on the bill being debated on the Senate floor by: ○​ Correct Answer: Filibustering ○​ Rationale: Filibusters allow senators to delay or block votes by speaking indefinitely. 10.​More than 400 amendments have been offered to the recent H.R. 1, House Appropriations Bill. This is an example of: ​ Correct Answer: An open bill ​ Rationale: Open rules allow for numerous amendments before a final vote.