Chapter 8: The Legislative Branch Civics
Perruso
The Legislative Branch (Chapter 8)
Study Guide
Chapter 8: The Legislative Branch Civics
Perruso
Vocabulary and Important Concepts
§ Policy - a plan of action designed to achieve a certain goal
§ Bill - a proposed law
§ Census - an official population count made every ten years; the number of representatives a state has can change after a census
§ Pocket Veto - a way the President can prevent a bill from becoming law by keeping it until Congress ends its session
§ Filibuster - the use of long speeches to prevent a Senate vote
§ Speaker of the House - presides over House, decides who may speak, appoints committee members
§ President Pro Tempore - presides over the Senate when the Vice President is not present
§ Floor Leader - guides bills through Congress and is chief officer of his/her party in the House or Senate
§ Whip - aids the floor leader and tries to persuade members to support party positions
§ President of the Senate - this person is also the Vice President of the United States, currently this person is Richard Cheney
§ Cloture - the Senate has agreed to end debate on a bill
§ Committees - this is where most of the work in Congress is done
Political Parties
§ Democratic Party
ü Oldest political party
ü More likely to favor social programs that benefit low income and poor families
ü Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John F. Kennedy are famous Democrats
ü Believe that the government should take an active role in people’s lives
ü Favor government regulations to protect the environment
ü Symbol is the Donkey
§ Republican Party
ü More likely to favor lower taxes
ü Chris Christie, John Boehner and George W. Bush are famous Republicans
ü Believe that the government should stay out of people’s lives
ü Environmental issues should be based on science
ü Symbol is the Elephant
Chapter 8: The Legislative Branch Civics
House vs. Senate
§ Study your House vs. Senate Comparison Chart
§ House of Representatives:
ü 435 members
ü Must be 25 years old to be a member
ü Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years
ü Must live in the State and district you represent
ü 2 year terms
ü Responsibilities: serve their constituents, help their political party, help interest groups they support, and try to get themselves reelected during the next election
§ Senate:
ü 100 members
ü Must be 30 years old to be a member
ü Must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years
ü Must live in the State you represent
ü 6 year terms
ü Responsibilities: serve their constituents, help their political party, help interest groups they support, and try to get themselves reelected during the next election
Influences on Congress:
§ Constituents – These are people a member of Congress represents; constituents influence members of Congress by making phone calls, as well as sending letters, post cards, emails, and petitions
§ Political Parties – An organization of people who share certain ideas about what government should do; they help a Congressmen get elected and they can provide financial support
§ Interest Groups – Groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals; can offer financial support, as well as present facts and information on legislation
§ Personal Beliefs – has to weigh conflicting information, it’s what you believe is right; based on things like your personal values, conscience, and maybe religious beliefs
Congressional Leaders and Your Representatives
§ Your U.S. Senators: Corey Booker and Robert Menendez
§ Your U.S. House Representative: Scott Garrett
§ President of the Senate: Joe Biden; also the U.S. Vice President
§ Speaker of the House: John Boehner (now Paul Ryan); highest ranking House member