Unit 3 Quiz Review

Which of these gives Congress the power to pass any law that will help them carry out their enumerated (written) powers?

• The Supremacy Clause

• The Necessary and Proper ("Elastic") Clause

• The Tenth Amendment

• The Articles of Confederation

Answer explanation

Such examples might include a military draft (Congress has the power to raise armies) or the creation of the IRS (Congress has the power to levy and collect taxes).

According to the Supreme Court in McCulloch v. Maryland, this section of the Constitution ensures that federal law takes precedence over state law(s).

• The Necessary and Proper ("Elastic") Clause

• The 5th Amendment

• The Supremacy Clause

• Article II, Section 4

Which of these answers does not give an example of the legislative branch checking the power of the executive branch?

• The practice of legislative oversight

• The House of Representatives impeaches the president

• The president vetoes a bill passed by Congress

• Congress rejects the president's request for more military funding

Answer explanation

The president vetoing a bill passed by Congress is an example of the executive branch checking the legislative branch. All other examples describe Congress (the legislative branch) checking the power of the president/executive branch.

Which of these statements about the U.S. Senate is false?

• The Senate confirms many important presidential appointments, including Supreme Court justices

• The Senate confirms foreign treaties negotiated by the president with a 2/3 vote

• Every state is guaranteed two Senators, regardless of its population

• All bills that would raise our taxes must begin in the Senate

Answer explanation

Bills that would raise taxes (also known as "revenue" or "money" bills) must begin in the House, not the Senate.

Which of the following statements about the U.S. House of Representatives is false?

• Representation in the House is determined by a state's population. (higher pop. = more representation)

• The House was designed to be more responsive to the will of the people, with its members serving two-year terms.

• After the president is impeached by the Senate, the House holds the trial to determine whether or not they will be removed from office.

• The leader of the House is known as the "Speaker."

Answer explanation

The opposite is true. The House impeaches, and the Senate holds the impeachment trial.

Before a bill is put up for a vote by an entire chamber of Congress (House or Senate), the bill must be studied by...

• The federal bureaucracy

• A congressional committee

• The Supreme Court

• The Library of Congress

Answer explanation

Committees are made up of lawmakers who specialize in a particular issue (education, the military, agriculture, etc.)

Which of the following would likely be passed by a state legislature, rather than Congress (the national legislature)?

• A bill that would increase funding for the U.S. Air Force

• A bill that would create a new U.S. Post Office in Frederick County

• A bill that would update the age requirements for hunting licenses

• A bill that would update the anti-counterfeit security features on $100 bills.

Answer explanation

The power to issue (and make rules for) most licenses, permits, and certifications is reserved to the states. This also includes marriage, drivers', and teaching licenses.

Don't forget - the power to create post offices belongs to the federal government!