Legislative Branch Review

Which statement best explains the significance of standing committees in Congress?

• Standing committees resolve the differences between House and Senate versions of bills

• Standing committees help to divide the workload and create specialization in Congress

• Standing committees set rules for debate to prevent filibusters from occurring

• Standing committees contribute to the simplicity of counting votes in Congress

Which of the following best reflects why rules and guidelines for debate are different in both legislative houses?

• There are few rules in the House so filibusters occur often

• The Senate Standing Committee sets guidelines for debate

• The House of Representatives has more members so more rules are needed to control debate

• Committee chairmen in the Senate set all rules for debate

· Most colonial legislatures were set up using this structure

· It settled conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey plans

· Provided an internal checks and balance system

The ideas listed above were underlying reasons for

• establishing a bicameral legislature in the Constitution

• providing the executive with a presidential veto

• revisiting the Articles of Confederation to add an executive branch

• creating a national court system in America

• necessary for a legislative veto

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Office thereof.

—Article I, Section 8

Which legislative ideology was influenced by this provision in the Constitution?

• Implied powers

• Expressed powers

• Patent powers

• Concurrent powers

I hold to the principle that we can harness the promise of technology without becoming slaves to technology and ensure that science serves the cause of humanity. If we are to find the right ways to advance ethical medical research, we must also be willing when necessary to reject the wrong ways. For that reason, I must veto this bill.

—George W. Bush, the White House, July 19, 2006

Stem Cell Research Bill Veto Letter

President Bush’s letter, excerpted above, to the House of Representatives demonstrates the principle of —

• republicanism

• limited government

• federalism

• checks and balances

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof for six years; and each senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

—17^th Amendment of U.S. Constitution

The excerpt contributed most directly to the —

• expansion of suffrage to all people

• weakening of national political parties

• reduction of the number of U.S. Senators elected

• extension of democracy in America

*Daily News*

April 8, 1913

17th Amendment Finally Ratified

What was the impact of the event reported in the headline?

• The reduction of representation in Congress

• The rise of political party participation in the South

• The power of the states diminished

• The growth of women's suffrage in America

Theoretically, the Framers of the Constitution favored bicameralism because

• the houses might act as a check and balance on each other

• two houses could be more favorable towards the President

• one house would spend more money than two

• Great Britain had only one Parliament

How many seats are currently in the House of Representatives?

• 435

• 535

• 538

• 100

When must the congressional elections be held?

• the first Tuesday of every second October

• the second day of January in odd years

• the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years

• the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in odd-numbered years