what does "we the people" mean?
in our nation it is the people that are the sovereign
what does article 1 of the constitution do?
gives the lawmaking power to congress and people of several states shall choose the people of congress in elections
what are constituents?
people of a particular region that members of Congress represent
what are interest groups?
a group of people that seeks to influence public policy on the basis of a particular common interest or concern
what age are the people in the congress?
older than the general age of population- mid to upper fifties
are the members of congress wealthy?
yes, dozens of millionaires in congress
the 110th congress elected who as the speaker of the house?
first female- Nancy Pelosi
what is the structure of congress?
bicameral legislative- its two houses os the house of representatives and the senate
what is the total number of house seats?
435
what is apportionment?
distribution of house seats among the states on basis of respective populations
how many house of representative members are the states guaranteed?
one
how many terms do house members serve?
2 year terms
how many senators from each state?
2 per state
how many members of the senate?
100
what is the seventeenth amendment?
required popular election of senators
how many terms do senators serve?
6 year terms
how do the terms of the senators work?
every two years, 1/3 of the seats are up for election
why did the constitutional convention create a bicameral legislative?
the framers were familiar with a two-house british parliament
the decision of the bicameral legislative was a result of what?
great compromise
what is power of the purse?
congress alone has the power to approve spending by the federal government
what is appropriation?
bill that sets aside funds for a specific purpose
with the power of the purse, what can the congress prevent?
can prevent the executive branch from carrying out policies it disagrees with
what are some limits on the congress' power of the purse?
cannot lower the pay of the president and judges during their time in the office
what are the president's power subject to?
advice and consent of the senate
any treaty negotiated by the president is put into vote where?
the senate-must receive a 2/3 vote to become a law
what can the senate also reject?
top presidential appointees
does congress have the impeachment power?
yes
what is the impeachment process?
begins in the HOR which draws up the charges for the individual--then a majority vote to approve the charges occurs--the senate then hold a trial with the vice president serving as a judge--two thirds vote of the senate if required to remove the him or he
Congress can override a veto with?
2/3 vote in each house
What is congressional oversight?
an effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies