Vocabulary tasks

A Explain the meaning of the words and word-combinations in italics from the context.

1 The committee … holds hearings on it.

2 Then the vote is taken.

3 … if two-thirds of each house of Congress then vote for it … thus overriding … the President’s veto.

4 The President may also use the “pocket veto” by withholding his signature within ten days of congressional adjournment.

B Match the words in the first and second columns as they occur in the text.

1	committee	a	bill
2	general	b	veto
3	finance	c	debate
4	suggested	d	adjournment
5	congressional	e	hearings
6	pocket	f	changes

C Use an appropriate word or phrase from the box to complete the sentences.

to introduce bills in favour of vote law houses is passed

standing committees the President to veto lawmaking chairmen

The legislative work of Congress is done mostly in 1) _____ . Each standing committee specializes in certain spheres of 2) _____: foreign affairs, defense, finance, agriculture, etc. The committees are headed by influential 3) _____.

Each house has the power 4) _____ on any subject. Important bills may be suggested by 5) _____ or other executive officials. After introduction all bills are sent to certain committees. When a committee is 6) _____ a bill, it is sent to the Congress for open debate. When the debate is over, members 7) _____ to approve the bill or to defeat it. After the bill 8) _____ by both 9) _____, it is sent to the President for his approval. However, the President has the right 10) _____ the bill. The bill vetoed by the President must be re-approved by a two-thirds vote in both houses to become 11) _____.

Over to you

Discuss the following economic and moral issue.

Should a senator oppose a bill that might hurt some of his constituents even if it would help many people throughout the country? Here is the issue:

Senator Smith comes from a farm state where many people raise cattle that are sold for meat. Meat prices are high, and the farmers in the senator's state are making a lot of money. Prices are so high, however, that many people throughout the country cannot afford to buy meat.

Senator Barnes comes from an industrial state and has proposed a bill to encourage the purchase of less expensive meat from Argentina and Australia. The purchase of a large amount of this meat would probably bring down meat prices in the United States generally. As a result, Senator Smith's constituents would make less money. On the other hand, more people could buy meat at lower prices.

How should Senator Smith vote on Senator Barnes's bill? (He is also hoping for a re-election to still another term.)

Act out this situation. Give all the pros and the cons.

(From "Speaking in the USA")

Text b The Political System of the usa

(summary)