Civics Unit 4- Branches of Government

Which two houses make up the United States Congress?

• House of Commons and House of Lords

• Democrats and Republicans

• Chamber and Oval Office

• • 
    

    Senate and House of Representatives 

Why is the United States Congress divided into two houses?

• All states have equal representation in one house to benefit smaller states, and representation is based on population in the other house to satisfy larger states.

• One house checks the power of the executive branch, and the other house checks the power of the judicial branch.

• One political party sends the majority of representatives to one house, and the other political party sends the majority of representatives to the other house.

• One house is made up of leaders of each state's government and the other house is made up of nationally elected representatives.

Which of the following is NOT a type of congressional committee?

• joint committee

• filtered committee

• standing committee

• select committee

What are expressed or enumerated powers of Congress?

• powers that are clearly stated in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution

• • powers that Congress was granted by the Articles of Confederation

• powers that Congress exercises publicly

• Powers that are granted to Congress by the federal government

What are implied powers of Congress?

• powers that are not clearly stated, but that interpretation of the Constitution grants to Congress.

• powers that Congress was granted by the Articles of Confederation

• powers that Congress exercises publicly

• Powers that are granted to Congress by the federal government

How does Clause 18 of Article I, Section 8, known as the "elastic" or the "necessary and proper" clause, affect the powers of Congress?

• The clause grants members of Congress the power to send mail without paying postage.

• • The clause limits Congress's power to check the authority of the executive branch.

• The clause explains the powers that Congress must use to amend the Constitution.

• The clause grants Congress its implied powers.

Which statement is NOT true?

• • 
    

    Senators and members of the House of Representatives must agree to serve at least two terms in office.

• Senators have to have been a U.S. citizen for nine years prior to being elected; members of the House of Representatives must be American citizens for seven years before being elected.

• Senators and members of the House of Representatives must live in the state they represent.

• Senators must be at least 30 years old; members of the House of Representatives must be at least 25.

Which role do committees play in the legislative process?

• Committees assign titles and numbers to bills and then meet with special-interest groups to develop the language each bill will contain

• Committees decide whether bills will be approved and passed to the full chamber for a vote, revised, replaced, or killed before they can be voted on

• Committees advise the president to either sign or veto bills.

• Committees update or modernize old and outdated laws

How does a presidential veto affect a bill passed by Congress?

• It delays a bill passed by Congress from becoming law for one full year, after which the president must sign the bill into law.

• It changes a bill passed by Congress to suit the president, who will send it back to Congress to pass or reject with a simple majority vote.

• It kills a bill passed by Congress unless Congress votes to override the veto with a two-thirds majority in each house.

• It passes a bill approved by Congress and becomes law as soon as the Supreme Court rules it to be constitutional

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of being a member of Congress?

• Members of Congress have both health insurance and life insurance.

• Members of Congress have the franking privilege, which means that they can send job-related mail without paying postage fees.

• Members of Congress receive free office space, parking, and trips to their home state.

• Members of Congress are exempt from the majority of state and federal laws.