Legislative Branch
What is the job of the Legislative branch Make laws
What are constituents? A person who lives in an electoral district and is represented by an elected official
What is the age requirement to be a U.S. House of Representative? 25… lived in the U.S. for 7 years
How long are the terms for House of Representatives? 2 years
How many members are the in the House of Reps? 435
How are the number of House Reps decided? Apportionment: divided among the states by population Census: every 10 years Gerrymandering: manipulating boundaries of an electoral constituency as to favor one class or party.
Are there term limits on the national level for members of Congress? no John Dingell
What does bicameral mean? Having two divisions of congress
Who has the most power in the House? Speaker of the House
Why is the Speaker of the House’s job important? Decides what bills will be heard and debated
Who is the official head of the Senate? Vice president
Who is in charge of the Senate under the Vice? President Pro Tempore: Orrin Hatch
How long are the terms for Senators? 6 years
What is the age requirement to be a U.S. Senator? 30yrs… lived in the U.S. for 9 years
What are three powers given to Congress? Levy and collect taxes Borrow money Regulate interstate and foreign commerce Coin money Declare war To make “laws that are necessary and proper” : Elastic Clause
What are the checks that the legislative branch has over the other branches? Oversight: oversees executive agencies Confirmation: approving officials appointed to office by the president Impeachment: Ratification: approve of all treaties Override: reverse an amendment Amendment: can propose an amendment to the Constitution
How does the impeachment process work? House: impeach the federal official: formal wrongdoing Senate holds the trial
Which bills can only start in the house? Tax or Appropriation bills
Describe three ways state legislature differs from the national legislature? Citizen legislature Hybrid legislature Professional legislature
State Legislators: Montana Senate- 50 Elected every 4 years, but cannot serve more than 8 years House of Representatives- 100 Elected every 2 years, but cannot serve more than 8 years
What is an incumbent and what are the advantages? Person who is currently holding office and running for reelection. Name recognition, office resources, campaign funds, and bragging rights, franking privileges
What is a standing committee? Permanent committees that handle most legislative business