Chapter 12

The constitution assigns power to each branch of government. The institution that has the power to make laws is 

•  Congress
• The House
• The majority party
• The Senate

The legislative branch initiates and approves laws that affect all Americans. A written proposal for a law is called a  

• Census
• Censure 
• Calendar
• Bill

Which type of committee is set up to handle issues of national importance? 

• joint committee
• select committee
• standing committee
• annual committee

Debates and final voting take place on the floor of the House and the Senate.  However, the day-to-day work of Congress takes place in 

• Committees
• Cloture
• Filibusters
• Districts

All of the following could be reasons legislators want to be assigned to a congressional committee EXCEPT to

• Affect national policies
• Receive more days off for campaigning 
• Exert influence over other lawmakers
• Improve their images for the purpose of reelection 

Which of the following is done in the Senate 

• Send bill to the rules committee
• Drop bills into the hopper 
• Filibuster
• Place bills on one of five calendars

What does the House do with a bill after its first reading? 

•  It is sent to the Senate.
• It is sent to the executive branch.
• It is sent to the states.
• It is sent to the standing committee.

The elected Senate officer who presides in the Vice President’s absence

• The Vice President
• The President Pro Temp
• The majority leader
• The majority whip

A closed meeting of the members of each party in each house

• Party Caucus 
• Qurum
• Committee
• Sub Committee

What is the main purpose of a conference committee?

• To introduce new bills to the House and the Senate
• To come up with a compromise version of a bill
• To work with the President to avoid a veto
• To manage the Senate’s calendar