What is apportionment?

Dividing House seats among states based on population from the census

What is redistricting?

Redrawing district boundaries within a state, usually after the census

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing districts to give one party or group an advantage

What does “packing” mean in gerrymandering?

Putting a group into as few districts as possible

What does “cracking” mean in gerrymandering?

Splitting a group across many districts so they are always a minority

What change did the 17th Amendment make?

Senators are now elected directly by voters instead of chosen by state legislatures

Name three powers Congress has according to the Constitution.

Levy taxes, coin money, declare war, regulate trade, maintain the military

What are implied powers?

Powers not written in the Constitution but allowed under the Necessary and Proper Clause

Who controls military spending?

Congress controls funding; the president leads the military

What is a non-legislative power of Congress?

Powers not related to making laws, like approving treaties, confirming appointments, or impeaching officials

When the House charges a federal official with wrongdoing; the Senate holds the trial

Can Congress propose amendments to the Constitution?

Yes, with a 2/3 vote in both chambers

Name one limit the Constitution places on Congress.

Cannot pass bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or give titles of nobility

How does the Bill of Rights limit Congress?

Protects freedoms like speech, religion, and the press, restricting Congress from overstepping

How can the courts check Congress?

By using judicial review to strike down unconstitutional laws

How does federalism limit Congress?

Some powers are reserved for state governments, so Congress cannot control everything

What is the first step for a bill to become law?

It is drafted and introduced in either the House or Senate

What happens in committees?

Bills are studied, amended, and recommended for debate by the full chamber

What is a conference committee?

A temporary group that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

What is a filibuster?

A tactic in the Senate to delay or block a vote by talking for a long time

A vote of 60 senators to end a filibuster

What is a pocket veto?

When the president doesn’t sign a bill within 10 days while Congress is not in session, and the bill dies

What are standing committees?

Permanent committees that focus on topics like defense, budget, or foreign relations

What are select or special committees?

Temporary committees for specific issues, such as investigations or studies

What are joint committees?

Committees with members from both the House and Senate that handle shared tasks

What are public bills?

Bills that affect the whole country

What are private bills?

Bills that affect specific individuals or small groups

What are joint resolutions?

Proposals that have the force of law, sometimes used to amend the Constitution

What are simple resolutions?

Rules or decisions that apply to one chamber only

What are concurrent resolutions?

Resolutions affecting both chambers but not legally binding like a law

Who leads the House of Representatives?

The Speaker of the House, elected by the whole chamber

Who is the House Majority Leader?

Helps the Speaker manage the party’s agenda and coordinates the House’s legislative priorities

Who is the House Minority Leader?

Leads the party with fewer seats in the House and organizes opposition to the majority’s agenda

What is the role of House Majority and Minority Whips?

Make sure party members attend votes and vote with their party; they communicate between leadership and members

Who is the official presiding officer of the Senate?

The Vice President; only votes to break ties in the Senate

Who is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate?

The senior member of the majority party; acts as a symbolic leader and presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent

Who is the Senate Majority Leader?

Controls the legislative agenda in the Senate and leads the majority party in debates and votes

Who is the Senate Minority Leader?

Leads the minority party in the Senate and coordinates opposition to the majority’s agenda

U.S. Congress Overview Flashcards

Student preview

62 questions

Show all answers

1.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

Why does the U.S. Congress have two chambers?

Back

To balance the power between the people (House) and the states (Senate)

2.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What does the House of Representatives focus on?

Back

Representing the people and responding quickly to voters’ needs

3.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

How many voting members are in the House, and how are they chosen?

Back

435 members, elected from districts based on state populations

4.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What is the main role of the Senate?

Back

Representing states equally and handling long-term national issues

5.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

How many senators does each state have?

Back

Two senators per state, regardless of population

6.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What are the age and citizenship requirements for a representative?

Back

At least 25 years old and a U.S. citizen for 7+ years

7.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What are the age and citizenship requirements for a senator?

Back

At least 30 years old and a U.S. citizen for 9+ years

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