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Congress Sessions
A Congress session is a period of time during which the United States Congress is in session. Each session begins with the convening of a new Congress, which occurs every two years after the general election. The first session of a Congress is called the “first session,” the second session is called the “second session,” and the third session is called the “third session.”
The agenda for a Congress session is set by the Leadership of each chamber, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The leadership of each chamber is responsible for scheduling floor votes, assigning bills to committees, and appointing members to committees.
The budget for a Congress session is set by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The Appropriations Committees are responsible for allocating funding for all federal programs and agencies.
The calendar for a Congress session is set by the leadership of each chamber. The calendar includes the dates for floor votes, committee hearings, and other events.
Committees are groups of members of Congress who are responsible for studying and drafting legislation. There are Standing Committees, which are permanent committees that deal with specific areas of policy, and select committees, which are temporary committees that are created to investigate specific issues.
Debate is a formal discussion of a bill or other issue on the floor of the House or Senate. Debate is usually limited to a certain amount of time, and members of Congress are allowed to speak for or against the bill.
Floor action is the process of voting on a bill or other issue on the floor of the House or Senate. A bill must pass both the House and the Senate in identical form before it can be sent to the President for his signature.
House Rules are the rules that govern the procedures of the House of Representatives. The House Rules Committee is responsible for drafting the rules for each session of Congress.
Leadership in Congress is provided by the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate. The Speaker of the House is the Leader of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate is the leader of the Senate.
Legislation is the process of creating laws. Bills are introduced in either the House or the Senate, and then they are referred to committees for study. After a bill is reported out of committee, it is debated on the floor of the House or Senate. If a bill passes both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the President for his signature.
Media coverage of Congress is provided by the major news outlets, such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and CNN. The media plays an important role in informing the public about the activities of Congress.
Organization of Congress is provided by the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution establishes the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it sets forth the procedures for each chamber.
Presiding Officer of the House is the Speaker of the House. The Speaker of the House is responsible for presiding over the House of Representatives.
Quorum is the minimum number of members of Congress who must be present in order to conduct business. A quorum is required for both the House and the Senate.
Recess is a period of time during which Congress is not in session. Congress typically recesses for the summer and for the holidays.
Rules of Congress are the rules that govern the procedures of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Rules of Congress are set by each chamber.
Schedule of Congress is the schedule of events for each session of Congress. The schedule includes the dates for floor votes, committee hearings, and other events.
Security of Congress is provided by the United States Capitol Police. The Capitol Police are responsible for protecting the members of Congress, the Capitol Building, and other federal buildings in Washington, D.C.
Seating in Congress is determined by seniority. The most senior member of each party sits in the front row, and the most junior member sits in the back row.
Speaker of the House is the leader of the House of Representatives. The Speaker of the House is elected by the members of the House of Representatives.
Staff of Congress is provided by the Office of the Clerk of the House and the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. The staff of Congress is responsible for providing support to the members of Congress and their offices.
Subcommittees are smaller groups of members of Congress who are responsible for studying and drafting legislation. Subcommittees are usually formed within standing committees.
Votes are taken on bills and other issues on the floor of the House and the Senate. A bill must pass both the House and the Senate in identical form before it can be sent to the President for his signature.
Witnesses are called to testify before committees of Congress. Witnesses are usually experts on the issue that is being considered by the committee.
What is the difference between a bill and a law?
A bill is a proposed law that is introduced in a legislature. If a bill is passed by the legislature and signed by the executive, it becomes a law.
What are the steps in the legislative process?
The legislative process is the process by which a bill becomes a law. The steps in the legislative process are:
- Introduction: A bill is introduced in a legislature by a member of the legislature.
- Committee consideration: The bill is referred to a committee for consideration.
- Floor debate: The bill is debated on the floor of the legislature.
- Vote: The bill is voted on by the legislature.
- Conference committee: If the bill passes both houses of the legislature in different forms, a conference committee is appointed to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bill.
- Final vote: The bill is voted on by both houses of the legislature in its final form.
- Signature: The bill is signed by the executive to become law.
What are the different types of laws?
There are many different types of laws, but some of the most common types of laws include:
- Criminal laws: Criminal laws are laws that prohibit certain behaviors and make them punishable by the government.
- Civil laws: Civil laws are laws that govern the relationships between individuals and businesses.
- Constitutional laws: Constitutional laws are laws that are based on the constitution of a country.
- Statutory laws: Statutory laws are laws that are passed by a legislature.
- Administrative laws: Administrative laws are laws that are issued by an administrative agency.
What are the different branches of government?
The three branches of government are the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws. The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws.
What are the different Types of government?
There are many different types of government, but some of the most common types of government include:
- Democracy: A democracy is a form of government in which the people hold power.
- Republic: A republic is a form of government in which the people elect representatives to hold power.
- Monarchy: A monarchy is a form of government in which one person, the monarch, holds power.
- Dictatorship: A dictatorship is a form of government in which one person, the dictator, holds absolute power.
What are the different types of voting systems?
There are many different types of voting systems, but some of the most common types of voting systems include:
- Plurality voting: In plurality voting, the candidate with the most votes wins the election.
- Majority voting: In majority voting, a candidate must receive more than half of the votes to win the election.
- Proportional Representation: In proportional representation, each party receives a number of seats in the legislature that is proportional to the number of votes that party received.
- Runoff voting: In runoff voting, if no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first round of voting, the top two candidates advance to a runoff election.
What are the different types of Political Parties?
There are many different types of political parties, but some of the most common types of political parties include:
- Conservative parties: Conservative parties typically support traditional values and oppose change.
- Liberal parties: Liberal parties typically support change and progress.
- Social democratic parties: Social democratic parties typically support social Justice and economic Equality.
- Communist parties: Communist parties typically support the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a communist Society.
- Fascist parties: Fascist parties typically support a strong central government and the suppression of individual rights.
What are the different types of political ideologies?
There are many different types of political ideologies, but some of the most common types of political ideologies include:
- Conservatism: Conservatism is a political ideology that emphasizes traditional values and opposes change.
- Liberalism: Liberalism is a political ideology that emphasizes individual rights and freedoms.
- Socialism: Socialism is a political ideology that emphasizes economic equality and social justice.
- Communism: Communism is a political ideology that emphasizes the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a communist society.
- Fascism: Fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes a strong central government and the suppression of individual rights.
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The President of India can address a joint sitting of the Parliament:
(a) Once in a year
(b) Twice in a year
(c) Thrice in a year
(d) As and when he/she deems it necessary -
The Vice-President of India is elected by:
(a) The members of the Lok Sabha
(b) The members of the Rajya Sabha
(c) The members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha
(d) The members of the Electoral College consisting of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies of the States -
The Prime Minister of India is appointed by:
(a) The President of India
(b) The Vice-President of India
(c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) The Chief Justice of India -
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to:
(a) The President of India
(b) The Lok Sabha
(c) The Rajya Sabha
(d) The Supreme Court of India -
The Finance Bill is introduced in:
(a) The Lok Sabha
(b) The Rajya Sabha
(c) Both the Houses of Parliament
(d) Either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha -
The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha:
(a) Once in a year
(b) Twice in a year
(c) Thrice in a year
(d) As and when he/she deems it necessary -
The President of India can appoint the Chief Justice of India:
(a) On the advice of the Prime Minister
(b) On the advice of the Chief Justice of the High Court
(c) On the advice of the Council of Ministers
(d) On his/her own -
The President of India can grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence:
(a) In any case
(b) In any case except a case involving the sentence of death
(c) In any case involving the sentence of death, if the President is satisfied that such a sentence is warranted by the facts and circumstances of the case
(d) In any case involving the sentence of death, if the President is satisfied that such a sentence is not warranted by the facts and circumstances of the case -
The President of India can declare a state of emergency:
(a) If the security of India or any part of the territory thereof is threatened, whether by war or external aggression or Armed Rebellion
(b) If the security of India or any part of the territory thereof is threatened, whether by war or external aggression or armed rebellion, or if there is a breakdown of law and order in any part of the territory thereof
(c) If the security of India or any part of the territory thereof is threatened, whether by war or external aggression or armed rebellion, or if there is a breakdown of law and order in any part of the territory thereof, and the President is satisfied that the situation cannot be effectively dealt with by the State Government
(d) If the security of India or any part of the territory thereof is threatened, whether by war or external aggression or armed rebellion, or if there is a breakdown of law and order in any part of the territory thereof, and the President is satisfied that the situation cannot be effectively dealt with by the State Government, and the President has declared that a financial emergency exists -
The President of India can promulgate ordinances:
(a) When both the Houses of Parliament are not in session
(b) When either House of Parliament is not in session
(c) When the Rajya Sabha is not in session
(d) When the Lok Sabha is not in session