legislative branch (congress). key terms 1. bicameral 2 house legislature 2. gerrymandering draw...
DESCRIPTION
I. Elections (Congress) A. held every 2 years (even years) B. first Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of even years C. inauguration takes place Jan. 3TRANSCRIPT
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (CONGRESS)
KEY TERMS1. bicameral – 2 house legislature2. gerrymandering – draw district lines (in odd shapes) to
favor a group of people3. constituents – citizens represented by elected leaders4. congressional record – public voting record of members
of Congress5. franking privilege – send mail for free6. immunity – protected from certain arrests and lawsuits7. expulsion – kicked out by Congress with 2/3 vote8. incumbent- the official currently serving office
** #1 advantage incumbents have is name recognition
I. Elections (Congress)
A. held every 2 years (even years)
B. first Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of even years
C. inauguration takes place Jan. 3
II. Congressional sessions (meet at least 1x per year)
A. Regular session – normal meetings of Congress
B. Special session – emergency meetings of Congress (called by Pres.)
C. Joint session – house and senate meet together
Ex: state of the union speech by President
III. Congressional Committees
A. standing committees – hear information on bills; standing committees are divided into subcommittees (public hearings)
B. select committee – temporary committee usually for investigations
C. joint committee – committee made of members from both houses
-EX: conference committee – compromise on 2 different versions of the same bill
IV. Other powers of Congress
A. enumerated – war, money, and militaryB. implied – necessary and proper clauseC. non legislative powers
1. treaties – approved by Senate2. appointments – approved by Senate3. amendments – proposed by 2/3of Congress4. impeach – house impeaches; senate does trial