AP®︎ U.S. Government & Politics: Topic 2.1 Flashcards

The constitutional article that establishes Congress as the national legislative branch

Division of Congress into the House and Senate, both of which generally must pass identical legislation

The principle that representatives debate and decide public policy on behalf of the people

The 435-member chamber apportioned by state population, with district-based members elected together to two-year terms and more formal debate than the Senate

The 100-member chamber representing each state equally with two senators, six-year staggered terms, statewide constituencies, and less formal debate than the House

Allocation of the 435 House seats among the states by population after each ten-year census

A geographic constituency within a state that elects one member of the House

House: age 25, seven years a citizen, and state inhabitant; Senate: age 30, nine years a citizen, and state inhabitant

Senate seats are divided into three classes, so about one-third are elected every two years while two-thirds remain

The amendment establishing direct popular election of senators instead of selection by state legislatures

The House’s principal presiding and political officer, chosen by the House and normally the majority-party leader

The vice president constitutionally presides over the Senate and may vote when it is equally divided

The senator who presides over the Senate in the vice president’s absence

Revenue bills must originate in the House, although the Senate may amend them

The House brings formal charges by majority vote; the Senate tries the case and requires two-thirds of senators present to convict and remove

The Senate’s power to approve specified presidential appointments and treaties, with treaties requiring two-thirds of senators present

If no Electoral College majority exists, the House chooses the president by state delegations and the Senate chooses the vice president

Congressional organization dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties, with each chamber determining majority control separately

Powers expressly granted to Congress by the Constitution, especially in Article I, Section 8

Congressional powers not stated word for word but reasonably connected to carrying out enumerated powers

Congress may tax, spend, borrow, coin money, pass a federal budget, and provide funds for federal programs

Legal authority provided by Congress for federal money to be spent

Congress’s control over federal spending through appropriations

Congress may declare war and raise, organize, regulate, and fund the armed forces while the president directs military operations

The legal process by which eligible noncitizens become citizens, under uniform rules established by Congress

Congress’s authority to regulate commerce among the states, including activity crossing state lines or substantially affecting interstate commerce

Congress may create and reorganize lower federal courts and define much of their structure and jurisdiction

The clause authorizing Congress to make laws needed to carry out enumerated and other constitutionally vested federal powers

Congressional review, monitoring, and investigation of how the executive branch and federal agencies administer laws