Gerrymandering

When political parties in the state legislature draw lines unfairly so they can win.

Filibuster

Using unlimited debating privilege in the senate to block action or block a vote.

Bill

A proposed law

Impeachmant

Bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing

Pigeon hole

When a bill dies in committee

Cloture

a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote.

Frankling Privilege

The right of congress members to send official mail to their constituents without paying for postage

Quorum

The minimum number of members of an assembly that must be present at any of its meetings to make it valid

Seniority rule

Privileges to individuals based on their length of service or tenure.

What did the 17th amendment do?

Changed the method of electing US senators from appointment by state legislatures to direct popular vote

Who is the head of the Senate and what is their role there

The vice president, can break a tie vote in the senate

Who are our district representatives in Congress?

Mark Green and Andy Ogles

Who are our two senators

Bill Haggerty and Marsha Blackburn

What event caused Congress to remain in session for the majority of the year

World War II

What are the top 4 states in representation of the house?

California, Texas, Florida, and New York

How many representatives does Tennessee have?

9

What is the State of the Union Address

When the president gives a speech to a gathering of both the house and senate

Requirements to be a house member

1. 25 years old

2. Live in the state you represent

3. US citizen for 7 years

Requirements to be a senator

1. 30 years old

2. US citizen for 9 years

3. live in the state you represent

Standing committee

Permanent committee that deals with the most important issues (Ex: Finance/ethics)

Select committee

Established to deal with specific issues (Ex: welfare reform/balanced budget)

Joint

Made up of members from both the house of representatives and senate.

How long is the term of a house member? Senator? How many times can they be elected?

2 years, 6 years, unlimited

Where do all bills dealing with money originate?

House of Representatives

What are the 3 characteristics of the speaker of the house?

1. chosen by their peers

2. almost always a senior member

3. A member of the majority party

Who was the president that started the state of the union address? which president brought it back?

George Washington, Woodrow Wilson

What does it take to override a presidential veto?

A 2/3rds vote in both house of congress

How is most work in congress accomplished

Committees

What was the reapportionment act of 1929?

Made the process of reapportioning congressional seats among the states automatic

Who were the three presidents to be impeached?

Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump

Which party limits the tenure of its committee Chairmen?

Republican

Who was the first female speaker of the house?

Nancy Pelosi

Name two people/groups of people that must approve treaties with foreign countries.

Senate and President

What four places can bills originate

1. any member of congress

2. executive branch

3. Citizens

4. standing committee of congress

What four things can the president do when a bill reaches his desk?

1. Sign it into law

2. Veto

3. Do nothing

4. Pocket veto

What is the only state that has permission to have elections in October? In what month do other states hold their elections?

Alaska, November

What two things did over one-third of the members of the senate do before joining the senate.

Attorney/lawyer and were a member of the house of representatives

What happens to a bill after 10 days if the president doesn't sign it?

The bill automatically becomes a law

What happens if Congress adjourns before the 10 days are up?

The bill will die.

How are seats in the house divided up amongst the states?

Population

How many total seats are in the house of representatives? How many in the senate?

435, 100

How were senators chosen before 1913?

Chosen by state legislatures

Why does the US have a bicameral legislature

Settled conflict with Virginia and New Jersey

Each house can check the other

The british parliament had two houses

Who was the last president to call a special session of congress?

Truman

Who is the current senate majority leader

John Thune

Which hosue of congress has unlimited debate?

US senate

What is the main function of the legislative branch?

To make laws

How long does a term of congress last? How many sessions are in that term?

2 years, 2 sessions