Unit 2 – The Legislative Branch

The Second Quiz Review!

What is the franking privilege?

What is the franking privilege?

The free use of the mails, by Congress – it lets them mail things to their constituents for free

How do Congressional Committees do their work?

How do Congressional Committees do their work?

Mostly through public & private hearings and investigating the issue

What happens if there is a difference between a bill passed by the House & the Senate?

What happens if there is a difference between a bill passed by the House & the Senate?

The bill then goes to a joint committee where they work out the differences.

Who has the most power within a Congressional Committee?

Who has the most power within a Congressional Committee?

The Committee chairperson, they have a lot of control over what bills make it back to the floor for a vote.

What is select committee?

What is select committee?

A temporary committee that studies one specific issue and reports their findings to the Senate or House.

A member of Congress just knocked off a liquor store on the way to an important vote in Congress. What can the policeman do who stops him or her?

A member of Congress just knocked off a liquor store on the way to an important vote in Congress. What can the policeman do who stops him or her?

Nothing. He can’t stop the congressman from voting…later he can have a warrant issued.

As a citizen of New York state who is also 18 years old, how many Senator can you vote for?

As a citizen of New York state who is also 18 years old, how many Senator can you vote for?

Both of them…they don’t have districts, we vote for both of them.

How do you stop a filibuster?

How do you stop a filibuster?

You need a cloture vote – 60 senators voting to stop the filibuster (good luck on getting that to happen, bty).

How much work happens on the floor of the House or Senate?

How much work happens on the floor of the House or Senate?

Not a lot, some debate prior to a vote, but then they vote. Most work is done in committees.

Why do we have a Library of Congress?

Why do we have a Library of Congress?

Provides resources and research for Congress on the many, many bills that are up for consideration or vote.

What is a filibuster?

What is a filibuster?

Used in the Senate only, the senator who takes the floor may talk on and on, not even on topic, with the idea of delaying a vote. May be stopped only by a cloture vote.

What is the Vice President’s role regarding the Senate?

What is the Vice President’s role regarding the Senate? He or she is the president of the Senate, can control debate, recognize speakers, but may not speak, votes only in case there is a tie vote.

What do Committee staff members do?

What do Committee staff members do?

They aid lawmakers in research for bills under consideration, aid in writing new bills, write committee reports, attend committee meetings, watch for political development, write speeches & newsletters.

What does the CBO do?

What does the CBO do?

The Congressional Budget Office, helps coordinate the budget work of Congress, studies the President’s budget proposal, counterbalances the work done by the OMB.

What does the GAO do?

What does the GAO do?

The nation’s watchdog on government spending, staff of 3,000 people, review the financial management of the government (the official auditor of the federal government).

The End Perhaps a little more time on this review and less on some of the frivolous things of the day will help you in the next

quiz.