U4 Difference Between the Chambers and Bill becoming a Law

Question 1

What does the two branches of Congress represent?

Answer 1

House - Represents Citizens, Based on Population
Senate - Represents State, Two per State

Question 2

What are the requirements to be a Representative (in the House of Representatives)?

Answer 2

At least 25 years old, Resident of State they are representing, and a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years.

Question 3

What do House of Representative member’s terms look like?

Answer 3

Serve two year terms an unlimited number of times. Face re-election all at the same time.

Question 4

What is the Goal of the House of Representatives?

Answer 4

To be closer to voter’s preferences (Delegate Mentality) -> Less likely to change the way they vote overtime.

Question 5

Which branch of Congress is more formal and rules oriented?

Answer 5

House of Representatives

Question 6

What are the requirements to hold a seat in the Senate?

Answer 6

At least 30 years old, Resident of state they are representing, and a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years.

Question 7

What do the terms of the Senate look like?

Answer 7

Serrve six year terms an unlimited number of times. 1/3 of Senate is up for reelection every two years.

Question 8

What is the Goal of the Senate:

Answer 8

More insulated from voters preferences (Trustee Mentality) -> Senators may vote differently in final 2 years of term.

Question 9

What powers only belong to the House?

Answer 9

Creating revenue bills, Impeachment, Select President if no candidate wins Electoral College

Question 10

What powers only belong to the Senate?

Answer 10

Advice and consent power (Approve appointments and treaties), Impeachment Trial

Question 11

How are Leadership roles in Congress determined?

Answer 11

By Political Parties

Question 12

How does a Bill become a Law?

Answer 12

Idea for bill given to local congressman -> Bill introduced to House then goes through committee -> Proceeds to Rules Committee -> Proceeds to full House of Representatives Vote ->Goes to Senate Committee Hearing with Senate Majority Leader-> Proceeds through Senate Vote -> If not exact same bill from House it proceeds to Conference Commmittee with members of both branches -> Proceeds back to House and Senate for another vote -> Proceeds to President -> Lobbyists can weigh in ->Signed into Law or Vetoed

Question 13

What is Cloture?

Answer 13

A Procedure that requires 60 votes to end debate(such as a FIllibuster). AKA “Vote of 60”

Question 14

What are Committees and Subcommittees?

Answer 14

They are used to organize congress and simplify law making process. Majority of work on bills is done here, it’s also where most bills die. Membership is determined by party leaders and political parties. Allows lawmakers to put expertise to use (Bureaucracy).

Question 15

What is a Standing Committee?

Answer 15

Permanent, focused on particular subject/theme

Question 16

What is a Joint Committee?

Answer 16

Include both Representatives and Senators

Question 17

What is a Conference Committee?

Answer 17

Resolve differences in Senate and House version of Bill

Question 18

What is a Select Committees?

Answer 18

Temporary, Handling particular issues/investigations

Question 19

What is a Sub Committee?

Answer 19

Help to further breakdown Committees

Question 20

What is the House Rules Committee?

Answer 20

The most powerful committee in the House, Assign bills to Committee?

Question 21

What are the Germane Amendments?

Answer 21

Required, Make sure Amendments to bill must be related directlly to the topic.

Question 22

What is a Discharge Position?

Answer 22

Free build from unfriendly committee and move it to House Floor for vote.

Question 23

What is a Senate Rules Position?

Answer 23

Senate Majority Leader assigns bills to committees. Non-germane amendments are allowed.

Question 24

What are the Rules of the Chamber Floor in the House?

Answer 24

The House Rules Committee sets rules for debate, with a limited debate time.

Question 25

What are the Rules of the Chamber Floor in the Senate?

Answer 25

A member of the Senate can issue a hold to stall a bill. The Majority Leader does not have to uphold this, however. There are unlimited debates and there must be unanimous consent to set aside specificed rules of procedure expedite action.

Question 26

What are Fillibusters?

Answer 26

Used to delay motion or vote on Senate Floor. If Majority Leader doesn’t agree to hold, Senate who requested can go into a Fillibuster. If no other Senator is speaking, than this Senator can technically speak for as long as they wish. The rest of the Senate can issue a cloture to end a Filibuster.

Question 27

What are earmarks?

Answer 27

Provision to legislation dealing with funding. For example: Park barrel spending is a funding loophole which directs specific funds, jobs, and programs to speciric districts or states.

Question 28

What is Logrolling?

Answer 28

Trading votes to fain support for a bill.

Question 29

What are the 3 things the President can do when it’s time to sign a bill?

Answer 29

1. Sign
2. Veto
3. Pocket Veto

Question 30

What is a Pocket Veto?

Answer 30

A veto taking place when congress adjourns within 10 days of having submitted a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Question 31

What happens when a bill becomes a law?

Answer 31

The Bureaucracy is tasked with implementing the law. Judicial Branch can rule law unconstitutional if it violates something in the constitution, which would invalidate the law.