Chapter 1

What Congress looks like, what it does, and the powers it holds

What you need to learn


Understand the structure of the legislative branch, its membership and leadership, and the powers of Congress.

Congressional Structure

bicameral legislator

implied powers

implicit powers

necessary and proper clause

Congressional Behaviors

non-germane rider

pork-barrel spending

logrolling

Budget Bill

mandatory spending

discretionary spending

deficit spending

Committees

standing committee

joint committee

select committee

conference committee

House of Representatives

membership

Speaker of the House

Majority Leader, Minority Leader

Majority Whip, Minority Whip

Committee Chair

debate rules

The Senate

membership

President of the Senate

President Pro-tem

Majority Leader

Minority Leader

Majority/Minority Whip

debate rules

filibuster

cloture rule

Cases

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Mcculloch v. Maryland (1819)

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