The Legislative BranchAwesome Spectacular Test Review

Awesome Vocabulary 1. Cloture

2. Incumbent

3. Censure

4. Quorum

5. Filibuster

6. Impeachment

7. Rules Committee

8. Whips

9. Bill

10.Subpoena

This is a formal accusation of misconduct in office against a federal official.

Impeachment

These individuals make sure legislators are present for key votes.

Whips

To stall the legislative process and prevent a vote; this is also known as talking a bill to death in the Senate.

Filibuster“Fortified with a good rest, a steam bath and a sirloin steak, Sen. Strom Thurmond talked against a 1957 civil rights bill for 24 hours and 18 minutes — longer than anyone has ever talked about anything in Congress.”

A proposed law is know as this.

Bill

This stops a filibuster with a three-fifths vote of the Senate – limiting speeches to one hour.

Cloture

A Member of Congress, or elected official, who is already in office and is running for reelection.

Incumbent

A vote of formal disapproval of a congressman’s or congresswomen’s actions.

Censure

This is the most powerful committee in the House of Representatives. It is also known as the House “Traffic Officer.”

Rules Committee

The minimum number of members who must be present to permit a legislative body to take official action is known as this.

Quorum

This is a legal order that a person must appear or produce requested documents.

Subpoena

Essays

What are three expressed powers and two implied powers the Legislative Branch has according to the Constitution? Which power do you think is the most important? Why?

What are three common characteristics of members of Congress? Do you think these individuals adequately represent your interests? Why or why not? Provide examples.

Possible AnswerGeneral Characteristics

1. Almost ½ are Lawyers2. White3. Middle-aged (usually over 50)

4. Males5. Mostly Affluent

Why is the committee system necessary for Congress? Give at least three reasons. In addition, identify the differences between Standing Committees, Select Committees, Joint Committees, and Conference Committees.

Possible Answer1. They allow members of congress to divide

their work into groups.• Lawmakers can specialize on certain

topics.• 435 Reps. 100 Sen.

2. The heart of legislative work is done in committees.• Compromises can be reached

3. Committees can act as an investigational arm of Congress.

Standing CommitteesStanding Committees are permanent (reoccurring) committees.

One of the most important Committee Systems

These committees tend to address the issues that Congress has deemed to be the most important.

House SenateWays and Means Foreign RelationsAppropriations Armed Services

Rules BudgetEducation and the

WorkforceCommerce, Science, and Transportation

Agriculture Agriculture, Nutrition, and

Forestry

Budget FinanceJudiciary Rules and

AdministrationVeterans’ Affairs Veterans’ Affairs

Transportation Environment and Natural Resources

Select CommitteesTemporary Committees

They Act as Investigatory Committees.

They study specific issues and report their findings to the House or Senate.

They have very little power themselves.

General Issues1. Matters of Public Concern

Crime2. Overlooked Problems

Homelessness3. Concerns of Interest Groups

UnionsNRARight to Life

Joint CommitteesCommittees that consist of members from both the House and Senate.

Temporary or PermanentAtomic Energy (Temp)Defense (Perm)Taxation (Perm)

They act as researchers who report to Congress.

They do not have the authority to deal directly with bills or even propose legislation.

They only have as much power as Congress gives them.

Conference CommitteesA (“temporary”) committee composed of members from both the House and Senate to reconcile differences between bills.

They act as mediators between the House and the Senate.Legislation would most likely fail without them.

Highly Important

How can the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch? Why are these important powers? Provide Examples.

Possible Answer

What is “the power of the purse”? Why is this an important congressional power? Why could the “the power of the purse” be considered a controversial congressional power today? Provide examples.

The Power of the PurseCongress and, Congress alone, controls the purse strings of the Federal Government.

Congress controls the flow of money.

Congress sets the budget for Every Branch of GovernmentEvery Federal AgencyEvery Federal ProgramEvery Military Action And Every Federal Project

Why is this such an important power?Why can this be controversial?

Please describe how conflict can occur between Congress and the President? In addition, Please describe how a conflict can occur between both chambers of Congress. Why do you think these conflicts occur? Do you believe there is currently more gridlock between Congress and the President or between both chambers of Congress itself? Please explain.

Possible AnswerConstituents and Conflicts

Sometime constituents want their representative to support an issues that the majority of other constituents disagree over.

Checks and BalancesThe Founders wanted to prevent hasty legislation

Party PoliticsRepublicans vs. DemocratsTea Party vs. Everyone?

The organization of Congress itselfThe House vs. The Senate

Different political timetablesCongress may want to work on something while the President thinks that the idea needs to wait until something more important gets done.

Who is our current congressman? Who are our two current senators? What is the political party of each of these representatives? What is an important issue for Michigan that one of these politicians might face? Be specific on the issue and who might look into it.

Michigan’s Representatives

Carl Levin: Issues with the Armed ServicesDebbie Stabenow: Agricultural issuesTim Walberg: education and Michigan job

issues

Tim Walberg (R)

7th District Representative

Please explain what legislative investigation and oversight is. What types of situations can congress investigate? Why is this an important power for Congress to have? Please be specific and provide an example.

Congressional OversightOversight

It is simply the power to investigate and regulate. Look into a problem and issue

a ruling.

Ares of Congressional Oversight Congress can investigate the President Congress can investigate Judges Congress can investigate Congressmen Congress can investigate Government

Agencies Congress can investigate Companies Congress can investigate Individuals Congress can investigate almost

anything they want

Please explain how a Bill becomes a law. List or diagram the key steps. Do you think this process is a good way to establish legislation? Why or why not? Provide examples.

True/FalseThere were no African Americans in the 109th Congress.

Multiple Choice____ 14. The process of setting up new

congressional districts after reapportionment is calledA. Redistricting.C. Bicameral legislature.B. Gerrymandering.D. Censuring.