DC Congress Study Guide for Test
Where is the basis for Congress' Constitutional authority found? - ANS-Article I
Why do we have 2 houses (bicameral)? - ANS-Compromise at the Constitutional
Convention (large state v small state)
To slow the process
Serve as an intra-branch check
What are the requirements to be a member of the House of Representatives? - ANS-
must be at least 25, an American citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state they
represent
How long is a Representative's term? - ANS-2 years, no limits to number of terms you
can serve
House members - ANS-must be more responsive to the needs of local interests in the
districts they represent since their terms are so short
What are the requirements to be a member of the Senate? - ANS-must be at least 30,
an American citizen for 9 years, & a resident of the state they represent
How long is a Senator's term? - ANS-6 years, no limits to number of terms you can
serve
How many members are there in the House? - ANS-435
How long is each congressional session? - ANS-2 years
When are congressional elections held? - ANS-Every even numbered year
What is different about the Senate and the House regarding elections? - ANS-All 435
members of the House are up for reelection at the same time every two years. The
Senate is a continuous body (1/3rd up for reelection every two years)
17th Amendment - ANS-called for the direct election of Senators by the people,
previously Senators were selected by their state legislatures
Where are the enumerated/delegated (written down) powers of Congress listed? - ANS-
Article I Section 8
Enumerated powers of Congress - ANS-tax, coin money, declare war, regulate foreign
and interstate commerce, increase the number of Supreme Court Justices
Where do the implied powers come from? - ANS-Necessary and proper clause aka
elastic clause
Where is the basis for Congress' Constitutional authority found? - ANS-Article I
Why do we have 2 houses (bicameral)? - ANS-Compromise at the Constitutional
Convention (large state v small state)
To slow the process
Serve as an intra-branch check
What are the requirements to be a member of the House of Representatives? - ANS-
must be at least 25, an American citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state they
represent
How long is a Representative's term? - ANS-2 years, no limits to number of terms you
can serve
House members - ANS-must be more responsive to the needs of local interests in the
districts they represent since their terms are so short
What are the requirements to be a member of the Senate? - ANS-must be at least 30,
an American citizen for 9 years, & a resident of the state they represent
How long is a Senator's term? - ANS-6 years, no limits to number of terms you can
serve
How many members are there in the House? - ANS-435
How long is each congressional session? - ANS-2 years
When are congressional elections held? - ANS-Every even numbered year
What is different about the Senate and the House regarding elections? - ANS-All 435
members of the House are up for reelection at the same time every two years. The
Senate is a continuous body (1/3rd up for reelection every two years)
17th Amendment - ANS-called for the direct election of Senators by the people,
previously Senators were selected by their state legislatures
Where are the enumerated/delegated (written down) powers of Congress listed? - ANS-
Article I Section 8
Enumerated powers of Congress - ANS-tax, coin money, declare war, regulate foreign
and interstate commerce, increase the number of Supreme Court Justices
Where do the implied powers come from? - ANS-Necessary and proper clause aka
elastic clause
