Chapter 4

Question 1

another word for federal government

Answer 1

congress

Question 2

Jobs of Congress:

Answer 2

1. represent the people and do the day to day work
2. they translate the will of the people into law

Question 3

Bicameral (2 houses) why?

Answer 3

1. historical reasons (British parliament had 2 houses)
2. practical reasons: settled conflict between the small and large states
3. theoretical reason: check and balance each other

Question 4

define terms of congress

Answer 4

length of time an elected official serves (2 years)

Question 5

time period during which congress conducts its business (2 sessions per term)

Answer 5

Session

Question 6

to suspend business temporarily during a session

Answer 6

recess

Question 7

to suspend business until the next session

Answer 7

adjourn

Question 8

neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other

Answer 8

“sine die”

Question 9

the president has the power to end a session when the 2 houses can’t agree to adjourn

Answer 9

prorogue

Question 10

when the president calls congress for an emergency meeting

Answer 10

special session

Question 11

lower house

Answer 11

house of representatives

Question 12

why do the members of the house of representatives serve a short term?

Answer 12

kept short so they will stay in contact with the people

Question 13

what do the house of representatives represent

Answer 13

represent their district not the entire state

Question 14

3 powers the house of representatives has:

Answer 14

1. impeach the president
2. decide presidential election if no clear winner
3. all tax bills start here (power of the purse)

Question 15

these seats are redistributed every 10 years

Answer 15

reapportionment

Question 16

why does the party in power usually lose its power during the midterm election?

Answer 16

the party in power is blamed for all the problems in the country

Question 17

voting block

Answer 17

districts

Question 18

geographic district from which one representative is chosen from a field of candidates

Answer 18

single-member district

Question 19

representative chosen from the stats as a whole district lines are drawn by state legislatures of the party in power

Answer 19

large district

Question 20

the drawing of district lines to the advantage of the party power

Answer 20

gerry mandering

Question 21

2 ways gerry mandering is done:

Answer 21

packing: concentrate the opps voters in as few districts as possible
cracking: spread the opps voters as many districts as possible

Question 22

qualification for the house members:

Answer 22

1. must be 25 y/o
2. must have been a citizen for 7 years
3. must be a resident of the state

Question 23

upper house

Answer 23

senate

Question 24

the people they represent (entire state)

Answer 24

constituencies

Question 25

how many terms does a senate serve

Answer 25

6 year term (no limit) focus on the big picture of the state

Question 26

qualifications of a senator

Answer 26

1. at least 30 years old 2. citizen of USA- 9 years 3. live in the state

Question 27

powers of a senator (3)

Answer 27

1. holds impeachment trial 2. ratify treaties 3. confirms executive office appointment (judges,cabinet, etc)

Question 28

5 major roles of a member of congress:

Answer 28

1. legislators-make laws 2. representatives- voice of the people 3. committee members- screen bills 4. servants to constituents- provide help to the people 5. politician- work for the government

Question 29

process through which congress checks to see if the executive branch is following its policies

Answer 29

oversight function

Question 30

2 major types of committee/congress

Answer 30

1. standing committee (permanent) deal with subject matter (education, finance, environmental, agriculture) 2. special committee (temporary) deal with investigation and pres. appointments (watergate, supreme court nominees)

Question 31

proposed law

Answer 31

bill

Question 32

2 types of bill:

Answer 32

public bill: law involving everyone private bill: law involving specific group/area

Question 33

where do ideas for bills come from?

Answer 33

1. executive branch 2. people 3. congressmen 4. special interest groups (industry, organizations,etc)

Question 34

how a bill becomes a law (6 steps)

Answer 34

1. billion introduced by a congressmen 2. committee action (standing committee) *most bills die here 3. floor action- full house/senate-debate/vote 4. conference action/committee (members from both houses) 5. floor action-same as step #3 6. president action (3 choices)

Question 35

3 choices of president action

Answer 35

sign-becomes law veto-refuse to sign pocket veto