structure of congress USP Flashcards
(20 cards)
how many members of the HOR
435
how many representatives does ALASKA have
1
how many representatives does MICHIGAN have
13
how many representatives does TEXAS have
38
what are the requirements to be a senator
- 25+ years old
- US citizen for 7 years
- resident of were they represent
what are the requirements to be a representative
- 30+ years old
- US Citizen for 9 years
- resident of where they represent
what is the salary for both representatives and senators
$174,000
what does the president of the Senate do
- aka the Vice President
- ensure that members of senate abide by procedural rules and have a crucial power to break a tie in the senate
what does the majority/minority leader do in the senate and HOR
- elected by the party with a majority/minority to be their part leader within the senate
- spokesperson for party’s position on issues
- coordinates legislative agendas and strategies
what does the speaker do in the HOR
- presiding officer of the HOR
what are the powers given to congress by the constitution
A1
- pass legislation
- declare war
- elastic clause
- A2 - overturn presidential veto with super majorities in both houses
- A5 - propose constitutional amendment
- 16th amendment - gained power to pass laws which levy income tax
what are the powers exclusively given to the senate by the constitution
- impeachment = 2/3 majority required to convict
- ratify treaties = 2/3 majority
- elects VP if no candidate has over 50% of electoral votes
- confirm appointments by executive
what are the powers exclusively given to the HOR by the constitution
- impeach president or any other federal official
- initiate revenue-raising bills
- elect president if no candidate has more than 50% of electoral vote
what are the powers concurrently shared by both houses by the constitution
- pass legislation
- override presidential vetos with 2/3 majority
- declare war
- If VP office becomes vacant, majority in both houses needed to confirm President’s new appointment
how is the senate considered the more prestigious and powerful house (stats)
- of 8 news senators in 2022, 3 were representatives
- none of the 74 new congresspersons were senators before
- ouch…
why is the senate more attractive to politicians than the house
- represent entire states
- serve 6 years
- 100 senators so easier to obtain important committee assignments
- Senators are often used as VPs which then could be presidential candidates (Obama, Biden, Truman)
how many republicans are in the house in 2024
219
how many democrats are in the house in 2024
214
how many republicans are in the senate in 2024
53
how many democrats are in the senate in 2024
47
