Government and Legislative Branch Quiz

The main function / purpose of the legislative branch of government is...

• To enforce laws

• To make laws

• To interpret laws

• To put criminals on trial

Missouri had nine representatives in 2009; in 2016, they now have 8. What happened?

• A 2010 census showed a reduction in population, thus there will be fewer members in the House of Representatives

• A 2010 census showed a reduction in population, thus there will be a new member in the House of Representatives

• A 2010 census showed a reduction in population, thus there will be fewer members in the Senate

• A 2010 census showed a reduction in population, thus there will be a new member in the Senate

• No change

Which person is a member of the legislative branch?

• President

• Speaker of the House

• Secretary of Education

• Ambassador to the United Nations

Which of the following make up the federal legislative branch?

• Congress and the General Assembly

• House of Representatives and the Senate

• White House and the Senate

• Pentagon and the White House

HR672 recently became a law. What process did this bill have to go through in order for this to occur?

• Bill was proposed to the Senate, voted on in committee, passed to the House of Representatives, voted on in committee, conferenced, and signed by the president

• Bill was proposed to the President, voted on in committee, passed to the House of Representatives, voted on in committee, conferenced, and signed by the Senate

• Bill was proposed to the House of Representatives, voted on in committee, passed to the Senate, voted on in committee, conferenced, and signed by the president

• Bill was proposed to the House of Representatives, voted on in committee, passed to the Supreme Court, voted on in committee, conferenced, and signed by the president

How is it decided which is the majority party and which is the minority party in the legislative branch?

• By a vote in the Senate

• By a vote in the House of Representatives

• Whichever party had the most elected members is the majority party

• The President decides

Congressman Tom wants to introduce a bill to lower taxes. Where does this bill need to be introduced?

• Senate, because all money bills must start in the smaller house.

• The Oval Office, because the President must make the budget.

• The House of Representatives, because all bills involving money must start with the House.

• The Supreme Court, because they must rule first on the bills constitutionality

All of these make it harder to get elected to the Senate EXCEPT:

• Senators have to be elected by an entire state, rather than a smaller district

• Senators have to raise more campaign money to get elected

• Senators generally have less experience than House members

• Senators need more visibility and name recognition than House members

These powers are given to the Senate ONLY except for:

• The Senate initiates appropriation bills

• Approves treaties

• Holds impeachment trials

• Selects the vice president when no candidate has enough electoral votes

The leader of the House of Representatives is

• The majority leader

• The minority leader

• The vice president

• The Speaker of the House