Unit Two – The Legislative Branch The First Quiz Review!
What is the main job or purpose of Congress?
They’re the legislative branch, so their main purpose is to make laws.
How many members in the House?
435 voting members
How many members in the Senate?
100
How long is a session of Congress?
1 year, but a congressional term is two sessions, (and a term is 2 years long).
How much of the Senate is up for re-election at a time?
One third
Why does the Federal government conduct a decennial census?
It’s mandated by the Constitution, but representation on several levels depends on representation, so we need to know how many people live where.
What is the purpose of Congressional Committees?
It’s where all the work on bills happen. Easier to get work done among smaller work groups. Debate happens on the floor of the House / Senate.
What is a bicameral legislature?
A legislative branch of government that has two houses. We have two, the House (population) and the Senate (equal representation)
What does the House Rules Committee do?
The most powerful committee in the House, all bills to here and then are assigned to another committee, then the bill goes back into this committee before going back to the floor for debate and vote.
What is the Speaker of the House?
The presiding officer in the House from the majority party, lots of power, influence proceedings by deciding which members can speak, and informal power in just getting things done.
How is redistricting and reapportionment related?
They both apply to representation in Congress, reapportionment is determining what states either gain or lose, redistricting is drawing up new lines in the states who’ve lose seats.
What is a caucus?
A meeting, usually closed, of a small group of people in Congress of like interests, like the Black Caucus, minority caucus.
What is Gerrymandering?
When a state legislature redraws congressional districts, in interesting shapes, that benefits the party in power.
What do Party Whips do?
Just like the name sounds, they are party leaders who serve as assistant floor leaders and watch how party members intend to vote on bills and help keep people in line.
The End