Chapter 5 Test Flashcards
(23 cards)
Constituents
people who live that area that a congressman represents
bills
proposed laws
whips
the representatives of each party whose duty is to encourage fellow party members to vote as the party leadership wants
filibuster
tactic used when opponents of a measure seek to prevent it coming up for a vote in the Senate by refusing to stop talking in hopes of stalling action
roll-call vote
a vote in which each member of Congress is required to publicly state his or her vote
impeachment
the process of charging officials in the executive and judicial branches with wrongdoing and bringing them to trial
cloture
the vote to end debate of a bill in the senate
pocket veto
a means by which the president can reject a bill, when congress is not in session, by not signing it
reapportionment
the redistribution of seats in the HoR among the states based on the results of the census
rider
an addition to a bill that often has little relationship to the bill’s main topic
party caucus
a meeting of all the House members from a particular party held to elect party officers
gerrymandering
the drawing of district boundaries for political advantage
quorum
the minimum number of members needed to legally conduct business
necessary and proper clause
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18, of the Constitution, which gives the national legislature the power to “make all laws that are necessary and proper”
Relationship between Congressmen & Constituents
serve the needs of the people
represents all of the people in their area
Importance and impact of Clause 18. Give examples
“carrying into execution the forgoing powers and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the US or in any department or officer thereof” Ex: establishment of National Bank, social security and medicare, “pressure the general welfare”, minimum wage, selective service
Role of The Speaker of the House
Presiding figure in the House, rules over debates, assigns members to committees, 2nd in line of succession
Role of the President of the Senate
usually the V.P. is largely ceremonial, presides over debates, in case of tie to be the breaker
Role of majority/minority leaders
Serves as spokesperson and main strategist for the majority party on the Senate
Explanation as to why the HoR is lower house and Senate is upper house
HoR-more in touch with the people, direct vote, controversy over selection, worry whether votes could be counted on to elect qualified people
Senate- members have greater prestige and more individual power, better known in public, must win state-wide elections, road to white house
Qualifications to be a US Congressman
HoR- 25 yo, citizen at least 7 years
Senate- 30 yo, citizen at least 9 years
Both- inhabitant of state where elected, partly identification name familiarity, gender, ethnicity, military, background in political experience
Benefits of being a US Congressman
tax deduction of 2 residencies, travel allowances, staff, low-cost health insurance, great retirement pension, franking privileges, gyms, restaurants
Life of a bill
originate from anywhere, introduced by Congressman, bill assigned to most appropriate committee, hearings to seek input, call witnesses, full committee debates bill, bill is reviewed in close detail, committee members decide how to report the bill, both chambers debate and discuss their versions of the bill, president can choose whether to sign the bill into law or not, if veto happens both chambers of congress can decide if they want to override
