Government Chapter 10 Test Questions – Flashcards
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Why is the lawmaking function of Congress central to democracy?
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It's how public will becomes public policy
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What are the qualifications for the House of Representatives according to the Constitution?
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They must be at least 25 years old, must be a citizen for at least 7 years, and must live in the State from which they are chosen
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How many Senators are there from each State?
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Two
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What are the qualifications for the Senate according to the Constitution?
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They must be at least 30 years old, must be a citizen for at least 9 years, and must live in the State from which they are chosen.
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All congressional districts in a State must have about the same number of people so that one person's vote is equal to another person's vote resulted from which Supreme Court case?
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Wesberry v. Sanders
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Which members of Congress are paid the most, Senators or Representatives?
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Neither. They are both paid the same.
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Who screens bills for floor consideration in Congress?
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Committee members
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What is a session of Congress?
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The regular period of time during which Congress conducts its business.
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What is the only reason the House may refuse to seat a member-elect?
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He/she does not meet the constitutional requirements of age, citizenship, or residency.
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How is the number of Senators each State has determined?
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By the Constitution. (2 each)
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The general traits of most members of Congress.
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Have college degrees, are white males, and are married.
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What are the roles of the members of Congress?
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Legislator, committee member, and servant to their constituents.
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The reasons the Framers of the Constitution favored a bicameral legislature.
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Because Great Britain and most colonial legislatures were bicameral, it settled the dispute between the Virginia Plan (representation based on population) and the New Jersey Plan (equal representation for each State), and each house could serve as a check on the other.
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What is the minimum number of members in the House of Representatives can each State have?
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One
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What group has the power to gerrymander congressional districts?
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State legislatures.
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Which group of people occupy the majority of seats in Congress?
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White, middle-aged men.
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What is an informal qualification (not in the Constitution) for the House of Representatives?
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Must live in the district he/she represents.
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When must congressional elections be held?
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The Tuesday following the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
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What is the function of congressional districts within each State?
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They serve as voting districts.
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How long is a term of office for a Senator?
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Six years
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How were Senators chosen before the 17th Amendment?
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Chosen by State legislatures.
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Why does the Constitution guarantee that the courts may not prosecute members of Congress for what they say in the House or the Senate in relation to congressional business?
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Freedom of speech is a vital part of legislative debate.
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What are the differences between the House and the Senate?
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Size of membership, length of term, and size of constituency.
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When legislatives committee review the policies and programs if the executive branch, what it is called?
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The oversight function.
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The power of the President to adjourn a session of Congress.
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Prorogue
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With just a fraction of its seats up for election every two years, the Senate is what kind of body?
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Continuous
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How many times must Congress meet during each term?
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Two
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What is it called when voters chose one representative from among candidates in their district?
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Single-member district
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What is it called when district lines are drawn to favor one political party?
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Gerrymandering
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What is the annual period during which Congress assembles and conducts business called?
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Session
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When there is an emergency, what kind of session can the President call?
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Special session.
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To distribute seats in the House based on population of States is called?
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Appropriation
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What is the benefit that allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials posage-free called?
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Franking privilege
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What are the people and interests that an elected official represents called?
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Constituency
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States with only one member in the House of Representatives use what system to elect their representative?
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At-large
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When can the President call Congress into a special session?
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For an emergency
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Essay: Why is the Constitution's Speech and Debate Clause important?
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The clause grants to senators and representatives immunity from arrest for any non-criminal offense. This allows Congress to debate matters freely, without fear of suits for libel or slander.
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Essay Question: Why did the Framers of the Constitution establish a bicameral Congress (three reasons)?
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The Framers established a bicameral legislature for three reasons. First, they were familiar with the bicameral British Parliament. Second, the bicameral structure resolved the conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey plans. Third, the bicameral structure was meant to provide a system of checks and balances within the legislative branch.
