Name:



Name: _______________________________

Due Date: ____________________________

~Congress~

United States Congress

1. How was our Legislative Branch divided according to the Great Compromise? What were the names of the houses? How was representation in each determined?

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2. Describe the typical Senator or Representative.

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3. What are the 3 requirements for membership in the House of Representatives?

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4. How long does each member of the House of Reps. serve? How many times can they be elected? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. How many total voting members are there in the House of Representatives? How is representation from each state determined?

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6. Who are constituents?

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7. What is apportionment? What is gerrymandering? What is its purpose?

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8. What are the 3 requirements for membership in the Senate?

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9. How long does each member of the Senate serve? How many times can they be elected? How many total members are there in the Senate?

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10. What is the difference in representing the people between the House of Representatives and the Senate? Who is closest to the people?

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11. What are some of the benefits of working in Congress? What is the franking privilege?

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12. When is Congress “in-session”? What is a special session?

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13. What is the difference between expressed powers and implied powers?

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Powers of Congress

14. What are enumerated powers? Where does Congress’ enumerated powers come from? What are some examples of Congress’ enumerated powers?

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15. What does the necessary and proper clause allow Congress to do? What are the powers given to Congress through this clause called? What is an example of how Congress has used this power?

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16. What are the major powers given specifically to the House of Representatives?

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17. Where do all tax bills begin? Why?

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18. What is the difference between an authorization and an appropriation bill?

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19. What are the major powers given specifically to the Senate?

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20. What does it mean to impeach a leader? Who has the sole power to impeach a President? What is the Senate’s role in impeachment?

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21. How does the 10th Amendment limit Congressional power?

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22. How do checks and balances limit Congressional power?

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How Congress Works

23. What is the difference between a majority leader and a minority leader? Where are they?

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24. What is a party whip? What is the role of the party whip for the political party?

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25. Who is the leader in the House of Representatives? What does this person do?

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26. Who is the official leader of the Senate? What does this person’s typical role in the Senate? Who is the daily (ceremonial) leader of the Senate?

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27. How do personal staff members help Congressional members? What sorts of things (specifically) do Congressional “staffers” do?

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28. How do the Library of Congress, the General Accounting Office, and the Congressional Budgeting Office help Congress perform its daily work?

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29. Why does Congress divide into committees? What is the difference between a standing committee, a select committee, and a joint committee?

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30. How is membership in Congressional committees assigned? What is seniority? Why is it important to be on an important Congressional committee?

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31. What do committee staffers do for the committees they work for? (In book p193)

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32. What is casework? Who usually handles most casework? (In book p195)

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33. What are pork-barrel projects? Why is it important for Congressional members to pay close attention to pork-barrel projects? (In book p196)

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How a Bill Becomes a Law

34. What is the difference between public bills and private bills? (In book p198)

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35. What is a special-interest group? How do interest groups influence Congress? (In book p199)

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36. Describe the 3 options committees have when handling bills.

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37. What is the difference between hearing a bill on the floor of the Senate and on the floor of the House of Representatives?

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38. What is a rider? How can a rider be beneficial for Senators?

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39. What is a filibuster? Where do filibusters happen? How do you end a filibuster?

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40. Describe the three types of Congressional voting.

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41. What does “the Constitution requires that the Senate and the House pass a bill in identical form before it becomes a law” mean?

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42. What is a conference committee? What do conference committees do?

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43. What are the President’s options when receiving a bill? What is the difference between a pocket veto and a veto?

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44. What can Congress do if the President vetoes a bill? Why is this process difficult? How is that a part of the system of checks and balances?

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