Powers of Congress Warm Up

The United States Constitution says that Congress has the power to coin money. This is an example of

• an enumerated power

• an implied power

• an inherent power

• a reserved power

Answer explanation

Enumerated Powers are the powers granted to Congress by the Constitution including spending and raising money, printing money, declaring war, passing laws, and performing congressional oversight.

Congressional oversight refers to...

• Congress's power to control executive agencies using the budget, confirming leaders, as well as clarifying legislation to make rule enforcing more specific

• Controlling monetary policy though taxing and spending

• Confirming judicial branch appointees.

• A committee's power to approve or reject new bills

Which of the following statements about Congress is true?

• Members of Congress only occasionally are interested in and pay attention to constituents.

• The legislative process is frequently lengthy, decentralized, and characterized by compromise and bargaining.

• The growth in the size of Congress as an organization is the principal cause of growth in the federal budget deficit.

• Debate in both houses is structured by elaborate rules enacted by leaders of the majority party.

Which of the following are differences between the legislative process in the House of Representatives and that in the Senate?

1. Debate is more restricted on the House floor than on the Senate floor.

2. Bills are more likely to bybass committee consideration in the House than in the Senate.

3. A Rules Committee sets the guidelines for floor debate in the House but not in the Senate.

• 1 and 2 only

• 1 only

• 2 and 3 only

• 1, 2, and 3

The House Rules Committee is an important part of the legislative process because it

• determines ethics rules for members’ conduct

• determines whether a bill should be referred to a policy committee for consideration

• determines the terms and conditions of debate when a bill goes to the House floor

• has the authority to limit the Speaker and Minority leader in their use of patronage