2.1 Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are the three formal requirements to be a Senator?
30 years old, 9 years a citizen, reside in the state you represent
These requirements are outlined in the Constitution.
What is the Senate’s power of ‘advice & consent’?
The Senate has the authority to confirm or reject presidential nominations
This includes positions such as federal judges and U.S. Ambassadors.
Who conducts confirmation hearings for presidential nominees in the Senate?
The Senate Judiciary Committee
This committee asks the nominee questions and votes to recommend confirmation.
What happens if there is a tie in the Senate?
The Vice President casts the deciding vote
The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate.
What majority is required for the Senate to confirm presidential nominations?
A majority vote
This applies to nominations for federal judges and other key positions.
What role does the Senate play in impeachment trials?
Senators act as the jury and try impeachments
A 2/3 vote in the Senate is required to convict and remove an official.
What is required to ratify a treaty made by the President?
A 2/3 majority in the Senate
This ensures that treaties have broad support before being ratified.
What is a filibuster?
A Senate tradition of unlimited debate to delay or prevent a vote
It is often used by the minority party to block legislation.
How can a filibuster be ended?
By a vote for cloture from 3/5 or 60 Senators
Cloture limits further debate on the issue at hand.
What are the three formal requirements to be a member of the House of Representatives?
25 years old, 7 years a citizen, reside in the state you represent
These requirements are also outlined in the Constitution.
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
435 members
Membership is reapportioned every 10 years based on the census.
What is the largest source of federal revenue?
The income tax
This is established under the 16th Amendment.
Which committee in the House of Representatives must initiate bills raising revenue?
The House Ways & Means Committee
This committee is specifically responsible for tax-related legislation.
What power does the House of Representatives have regarding impeachment?
The House has the power to impeach members of the Executive and Judicial Branch
This is the first step in the impeachment process.
What is the most powerful committee in the House?
The Rules Committee
This committee controls the calendar and decides when bills will be debated.
What controls the amount of time bills will be debated and the rules attached to them?
The Rules committee controls the amount of time bills will be debated and the rules attached to them
This includes whether bills can have amendments or changes added while on the floor.
Who maintains and controls limited debate in the House?
The Rules committee maintains and controls limited debate in the House
Limited debate means that not everyone can talk every time due to the number of members.
Which party controls the Rules Committee and why?
The majority party controls the Rules Committee because the Speaker of the House assigns House members to the committees
This guarantees the majority party controls all committees.
Does the House of Representatives allow filibusters?
No, the House has limited debate and does not allow filibusters.
What type of power does the Speaker of the House have in the House of Representatives?
The Speaker of the House has more centralized power in the House.
What principle is reflected in the bicameral structure of Congress?
Republicanism is reflected in the bicameral structure of Congress.
How is the Senate designed to represent states?
The Senate is designed to represent states equally.
How is the House of Representatives designed to represent the populace?
The House is designed to represent the people.
What are the enumerated powers of Congress?
Enumerated powers are written in the Constitution.
