US Congress
What are the two houses that make up the United States Congress?
The United States Congress is made up of two houses: the House Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives currently consists of 435 members, representing the 50 states. Each state's representation is based on its population. The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state, regardless of its population.
How is the number of representatives a state has in the House of Representatives determined?
The number of representatives a state has in the House of Representatives is determined by its population. Every ten years, the Bureau of Census conducts a census to count the population of each state and then apportions the 435 seats. More populous states have more representatives, former census data counted non-voting residents for apportionment purposes.
Who is the leader of the Senate and what is their role?
The leader of the Senate is the Vice President of the United States, who serves as the President of the Senate. However, the Vice President does not participate in debates and can only vote in the event of a tie. The day-to-day head of the Senate is the Senate Majority Leader, chosen by the senators of the majority party.
Can you explain a situation in which the Vice President would need to vote in the Senate?
The Vice President would cast a vote in the Senate if there is a tie on any legislative matter. This is known as a casting vote and can break the tie. If the Vice President does not attend or chooses not to vote, the tied motion fails.
What is the role of the Speaker of the House in the U.S Congress?
The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives. The Speaker's duties include maintaining order during debate, recognizing members to speak or motion, ruling on points of order, and setting the legislative agenda. The Speaker is second in the United States presidential line of succession, after the Vice President.
How is the Speaker of the House chosen?
The Speaker of the House is elected by members of the House of Representatives, typically making the Speaker a member of the majority party in the House. The Constitution does not require the Speaker to be an incumbent member of the House of Representatives, although every Speaker thus far has been.
How does a bill become a law in the United States?
A bill becomes law in the United States through various stages. Initially, a bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It then goes through committee review and revisions before it's brought to the floor for debate and vote. If it passes one house, it goes to the other house for a similar process. If both houses pass the bill, it goes to the President who can either sign it into law or veto it. If vetoed, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote.
What happens if the President doesn’t sign the bill or veto it within 10 days?
If Congress is in session and the President doesn't sign the bill or veto it within 10 days, the bill becomes law. If Congress adjourns during the 10 day period and the President takes no action, it's known as a "pocket veto" and the bill does not become a law.
What is the purpose of Congressional committees and subcommittees?
Congressional committees and subcommittees play a vital role in the legislative process. They study, review, and revise bills before they come to the floor for a vote. They also conduct investigations and oversight of the executive branch. Committees specialize in certain areas, like agriculture or foreign relations, allowing members to develop expertise.
How are members assigned to these committees?
Members of Congress are assigned to committees by their party leadership based on their interests, expertise, party needs, and sometimes seniority. Most members serve on multiple committees and subcommittees.
What are the key differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives?
There are several differences. Term length is one: Senators serve six-year terms, while Representatives serve two. Size is another: the Senate has 100 members, while the House has 435. Voting on treaties and confirmation of presidential appointments, like Supreme Court Justices, are also exclusively Senate powers, while only the House can initiate tax-related bills.
Why does only the House initiate tax-related bills?
This rule comes from the Constitution's Origination Clause, which states "All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." The founders believed the house closer to the people should have the primary responsibility for imposing new taxes.
What is the role of the Whip in the U.S Congress?
A whip in the U.S. Congress is a party leader whose primary function is to ensure party discipline in the legislature. Whips are responsible for ensuring their party members attend voting sessions and vote according to official party policy. They also count votes in anticipation of an action, trying to gauge the vote outcome.
What does the term "whip" mean in context of the Congress?
The term "whip" comes from a hunting term "whipper in," referring to a huntsman's assistant who drives straying hounds back to the pack. Hence, a Whip ensures that party members stick to the party line on votes.
How is the majority party of the Congress determined?
The majority party in each house of Congress is determined by which party holds the most seats. The party with the most elected representatives in a house becomes the majority party, while the other becomes the minority party.
What advantages does the majority party have in Congress?
There are several advantages of being the majority party in Congress, including control of the chairmanship of committees, which have significant power over legislation. The majority party also typically has more committee seats, more staff budget, and majority controls the legislative agenda.
What are the primary responsibilities of the U.S Congress?
The U.S Congress has several primary responsibilities. It is the legislative arm of the U.S government, so it's responsible for making laws. It also has power of the purse, meaning it controls government spending. Congress also oversees, investigates, and can impeach federal officials. Finally, the Senate plays a role in foreign policy by ratifying treaties and confirming appointments of ambassadors and cabinet members.
How does the impeachment process work?
The impeachment process begins in the House of Representatives, where any member can suggest an impeachable offense. If a majority votes in favor, the individual is "impeached," but not yet removed from office. The matter then moves to the Senate, which conducts a trial. If two-thirds of senators vote to convict, the individual is removed from office.
How does Congress check the other branches of government?
Congress checks the other branches of government in several ways. Through its oversight function, it can investigate the actions of the executive branch. Congress can override a president's veto with a two-thirds vote. It approves appointments made by the president, including Supreme Court justices. The House can impeach the president, with conviction and removal from office by the Senate.
What means does Congress have to check the Judicial branch?
Congress checks the Judicial branch by controlling the structure and jurisdiction of the courts, impeaching federal judges, and by proposing amendments to the Constitution.