Unit 2 Test Review

List and describe the four ways that members of Congress can vote?

 Delegates – Vote based off of the views of their constituents

 Trustees – Vote based off their conscience and what they believe is right
 Partisans – Vote based off of their political party
 Politicos – Attempt to combine delegates, trustees, and partisans

What are bills? - Proposed laws in Congress

Who is Speaker of the House? Mike Johnson (R) - LA

Who is the US Representative from the 24th District in Texas? (Represents Southlake) Beth Van Duyne (R)

Who are the two US Senators from Texas

 John Cornyn (R)

 Ted Cruz (R)

How long is a term in Congress? 2 years

Who can call special sessions? The President

Benefits of Serving in Congress

 Salary - $174,000
 Tax Breaks
 Travel Allowances

 Franking Privilege - Privilege of members of Congress to get to send mail for free

Size of the House of Representatives

 435 members – based off of State population

Size of the Senate

 100 Senators – 2 per State

Length of Term for the House of Representatives

 2 years

Length of Term for Senators

 6 years

Are there term limits for members of Congress? No

Formal Qualifications for House of Representatives

 At least 25 years of age

 US Resident for at least 7 years
 Must be a resident of the State you are running in
Formal Qualifications for Senators

 At least 30 years of age

 US resident for at least 9 years
 Must be a resident of the State you are running in

When is Election Day for Congress? The first Tuesday, AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY, in November, every even
numbered year

What are the three types of Congressional powers?

Expressed Powers – Powers specifically listed in the Constitution

Implied Powers – Powers not listed in the Constitution but we can reasonably suggest belong to Congress

Nonlegislative Powers – Other powers of Congress

Describe what Congress’ Commerce Power is and what the limit on that power is****

 Congress has the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade

 The only limits on that power are:
o They cannot tax exports
o They cannot favor ports of one State over another
o They cannot require vessels bound to or from another State pay duties to another

What are Congress’ Money Powers? ****

Tax Power – Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes

Borrowing Power - The power to borrow money on credit of the United States

Bankruptcy Power – Congress has the power to borrow money on credit of the United States

What are some other Domestic Powers of Congress? List 3 that we covered in class****

1. Copyright Powers – Congress has the power to determine copyright and patent laws in the United States

2. Weights and Measures – Congress determines weights and measures in the United States

3. Currency Powers – Congress has the power to coin money and set the value thereof
Under the War Powers Resolution, what are the three ways that a President can send troops to combat?

1. Congress has declared war

2. Congress has authorized a specific military action

3. An attack on the United States has occurred and the President has notified Congress within 48 hours

Which branch of government is allowed to declare war? Congress

Define the Necessary and Proper Clause ****

The Necessary and Proper Clause is a clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to make all laws
“necessary and proper” for executing its power

Explain the difference between Strict and Liberal Constructionists. ****

Strict Constructionists believe in a narrow interpretation of the Constitution and are more in favor of the Federal
Government only exercising its expressed powers. Liberal Constructionists believe in a more broad interpretation of
the Constitution and believe in the idea of implied powers.

Congressional Budget Office – This office helps Congress with taxing, budgeting, and any

Congressional Research Office – Located in the Library of Congress, provides members with factual information on
anything they are looking for

Government Accountability Office (Congress’ “Watchdog”) – Oversees the Federal Government and reports
misconduct to Congress

Executive Powers of the Senate

Impeachment

Describe the Impeachment Process *****

Impeachment begins in the House of Representatives, which holds the soul power to impeach. The House of
Representatives must vote a simple majority in order to impeach. Following the impeachment vote, the Senate
holds the impeachment trial, with the Chief Justice presiding over the Senate. The Senate must provide a 2/3 vote in
order to convict.
Congress can propose Amendments with 2/3 vote in each house

In the event that neither Presidential candidate receives the necessary electoral votes, who elects the President?
House of Representatives

Who currently serves as President of the Senate? Kamala Harris (D) - California

Patty Murray is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate

When does the Supreme Court Chief Justice preside over the Senate? Impeachment Trials

Steve Scalise (R) - LA is the House Majority Leader

Hakeem Jeffries (D) - NY is the House Minority Leader

Tom Emmer is the House Majority Whip

The Party Caucus is a closed-door meeting in each house with each political party

This is an unwritten rule that states that the most powerful positions in Congress go to the members with the
longest serving record. Seniority Rule

Standing Committees are permanent committees

Most of the work in writing bills is done where? Subcommittees

House Rules Committee and its role – Traffic Cop of the House. Determine conditions for bills and control the flow of
bills to the House floor.

Select Committees are temporary committees that are designed for a specific purpose

What is the difference between public and private bills?

Public bills apply to the nation as a whole. Private bills only apply to a certain area or group of people.

How many readings each bill gets on the floor? 3

Describe the process of a bill becoming a law ****

The bill is first proposed in either the House or the Senate and then assigned to an appropriate committee. It first
goes to subcommittees who do the bulk of the work on the bill. Once the subcommittee completes its work, the full
committee votes to advance the bill to the floor. Once it gets to the floor, the House or Senate will debate the bill
before taking a vote. Following this vote, the bill then must go through the other chamber before being sent to the
President’s desk for a signature.
 A discharge petition refers to a measure to force a vote on a bill that has been stuck in committee for 30 days.

Types of Votes Taken on House Floor.

1. Voice Vote
2. Teller Vote
3. Standing Vote
4. Roll Call Vote

The filibuster is an attempt to stall a bill by using various different time-killing tactics.

In order to invoke cloture on a bill, 60 Senators must agree.

What are the four actions the President can take on a bill once it reaches his/her desk?

1. Sign it into law

2. Veto it
3. Not sign it for 10 days and let it become a law following those 10 days if Congress is still in session.
4. Not sign it for 10 days and if Congress adjourns within those 10 days the bill is vetoed. Pocket Veto