Name:______Period: ______Date:______

Civics: Chapter 5: Section 2: Pages 119-124

  1. What is a session?
  1. When are they held?

First:

Second:

  1. How long do they last?
  1. What happens if a problem arises after congress has adjourned?
  1. Who meets in a joint session?
  1. Why do they have joint sessions?
  1. How many congressional officers does the constitution allow for?
  1. Who are these officers?
  1. What are caucuses?
  1. What happens during these?
  1. What is the majority party?
  1. What is the minority party?
  1. Who is the Speaker of the house?
  1. What does this position entitle the speaker to?
  1. Who is the floor leader?
  1. Who is the majority leader?
  1. Who is the minority leader?
  1. What does the party whip do?
  1. What roll does the vice president play in the senate?
  1. What restrictions are placed on him?
  1. What does the president pro tempore mean?
  1. When do we have a president pro tempore?
  1. Who are the most powerful officers of the senate?
  1. What are bills?
  1. What are committees?

A.  Why do committees exist?

B.  What are some of the things committees do?

  1. What is a standing committee?

A.  How many are there in the senate?

B.  How many does the House of Representatives have?

C.  What are they responsible for?

  1. What is a subcommittee?

A.  What do they do?

  1. What is a select committee?

A.  What do they deal with?

B.  What happens to them once they have finished their work?

  1. What is a joint committee?

A.  Who is in it?

B.  What is their purpose?

  1. What is a conference committee?

A.  What is their purpose?

B.  Are they permanent?

C.  What do they conceder?

  1. How many major standing committees can each member of the house stand on?
  1. Why is this?
  1. How does this differ from the Senate?
  1. How are members decided (in reference to their party) for these committee?
  1. Who has the most control in congress?
  1. Who are usually awarded with important committee assignments?
  1. What does a chairperson do?
  1. What is the seniority system?
  1. What are the two sides of thought surrounding the seniority system?
  2. Support
  3. Opposed
  1. How has congress changed its system because of this?
  1. What do members of congressional staff do?