How A Bill Becomes A Law_

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of adding earmarks during the appropriations process in committee?

• To set aside money for specific programs

• To speed up the legislative process

• To reduce government spending

• To benefit all constituents equally

Fill in the Blanks

Earmarks are also referred to as

politics.

Open Ended

How do you think the process of a bill becoming a law reflects the values of democracy in the United States?

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of having two chambers (bicameral) in the United States Congress?

• It allows for more debate and careful consideration of laws.

• It makes passing laws faster and easier.

• It ensures that only one group has power.

• It was chosen randomly by the founders.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a requirement to serve in the Senate but not in the House of Representatives?

• Must be at least 30 years old

• Must be a citizen for 7 years

• Must reside in the state represented

• Must be at least 25 years old

Open Ended

Explain the difference between expressed powers and implied powers of Congress as outlined in Article I, Section 8 and Section 8, Clause 18.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following powers is denied to Congress according to the Constitution?

• Pass ex post facto laws

• Coin money

• Regulate commerce

• Establish post offices

Open Ended

Describe two major differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives in terms of representation and term length.

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blank: The Senate is known as the

House, while the House of Representatives is known as the Lower House.

Multiple Choice

What is the first step in how a bill becomes a law in Congress?

• Bill is introduced by a member of Congress

• Bill is sent to the President

• Bill is debated on the floor

• Bill is voted on by both houses

Open Ended

Describe the process by which a bill is assigned to a committee and the role of the presiding officer in this process.

Open Ended

What are the main duties of presiding officers in the House of Representatives and the Senate?

Multiple Select

Which of the following are types of committees in Congress?

• Standing

• Select/Special

• Joint

• Executive

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT an action a committee can take on a bill?

• Amend the bill

• Kill the bill

• Send the bill directly to the President

• Hold hearings/conduct research

Open Ended

Explain the role of the House Rules Committee in the legislative process.

Multiple Choice

If a bill is passed out of a house committee, where does it go next?

• House Rules Committee

• Senate

• President

• Conference Committee

Fill in the Blanks

A bill requires a

majority to pass when it goes to the floor for a vote.

Multiple Choice

Which type of debate can take place only in the Senate?

• Filibuster

• Amendment

• Conference Committee

• House Rules Committee

Multiple Select

Which of the following are possible changes to a bill during floor debate?

• Revisions

• Additions

• Deletions

• Filibuster

Open Ended

Describe the process that occurs after both houses pass the same version of a bill.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following actions by the President will result in a bill becoming a law without his signature?

• Signing the bill

• Setting it aside for 10 days while Congress is in session

• Pocket veto

• Vetoing the bill

Open Ended

Explain the role of interest groups and PACs in influencing government decisions, as depicted in the cartoon.

Fill in the Blanks

A bill becomes a law after it is signed by the

Multiple Choice

Which steps are involved after a bill is introduced by a member and before it goes to the President?

• Assigned to a committee, subcommittee actions, floor debate and vote, conference committee writes a compromise

• Assigned to a committee, signed by the President, becomes a law

• Assigned to a committee, vetoed by the President, overridden by Congress

• Assigned to a committee, sent directly to the Supreme Court

Open Ended

Reflecting on what you learned today, what questions do you still have about how a bill becomes a law or the role of the legislature in the United States?

Multiple Choice

What is the main reason the United States Congress is divided into two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives?

• To ensure equal representation for all states and balance the interests of large and small states

• To make the lawmaking process faster and more efficient

• To allow the President to have more control over legislation

• To reduce the number of laws passed each year