Bi-Cameral Practice

Which of the following is a characteristic shared by the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress?

• They both meet every year

• They are bicameral in structure.

• Each has the power to coin money.

• Both have the same qualifications for members.

Which of these statements is true about congressional districts and representation?

• Congressional districts are determined by special elections.

• Congress reapportions/redistributes the U.S. House seats every 10 years.

• Each Senator represents around the same number of citizens.

• Redistricting happens only in the Senate, not in the U.S. House.

The number of U.S. Senate seats that each state has is

• set by presidential mandate

• set by the census

• set by the Constitution

• the same as the number of house members

The political party in power may ___ Congressional districts to benefit certain groups or political party.

• special session

• gerrymander

• oversight function

• seniority rule

The Supreme Court case of Baker v. Carr in 1962 contributed most directly to -

• the Voting Rights Act of 1965

• the Supreme Court decision not to hear cases involving apportionment

• voting rights issues not being addressed by the court system

• every voter’s constitutional right to have their vote counted fairly

Which of the following reflects the extension of democracy made by the 17th Amendment in 1913?

• Amendment process simplified

• Election of Senators changed from being appointed to being popularly elected by voters

• Election of U.S. Representatives changed from popular vote to election by State legislatures

• Number of Senators from each state changed

Vote by sixty Senators to end a filibuster and bring a vote on a bill

• seniority rule

• special session

• cloture

• pocket veto

Which statement best explains the significance of Standing Committees in Congress?

• Standing Committees contribute to the simplicity of counting votes in Congress.

• Standing Committees resolve the differences between House and Senate.

• Standing Committees set rules for debate to prevent filibusters from occurring.

• Standing Committees help create specialization in Congress.

What are the top leadership positions in the Congress?

• President Pro Tempore of the Senate and House Minority Leader

• Senate Minority Leader and Speaker of the House

• President of the Senate and House Majority Leader

• Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader

Composed of members of both houses, can be investigative in nature, and may issue periodic reports to the House and Senate.

• Conference Committee

• Joint Committee

• Standing Committee

• Combined Committee