Understanding the Legislative Process

Who can introduce a bill?

• Only Supreme Court Justices

• A Senator or Congressman

• Only the President

• Any citizen

What type of bills must start in the House of Representatives?

• Revenue bills

• Defense bills

• Education bills

• Healthcare bills

What does an open rule in Senate debate allow?

• Immediate voting

• Unlimited speaking time

• Closed sessions

• Amendments

What is a unique feature of the Senate's legislative process?

• Direct election of its members

• The requirement for a unanimous vote

• Lifetime appointments for Senators

• The ability to filibuster

What extra step do bills face in the House compared to the Senate?

• Judicial review

• Rules Committee review

• Public voting

• Presidential review

What happens if a bill receives a majority vote in both the House and Senate?

• It must be approved by state legislatures

• It becomes law immediately

• It goes to the President for approval

• It is reviewed by the Supreme Court

What is the role of the conference committee?

• To oversee the Rules Committee

• To review presidential vetoes

• To reconcile different versions of a bill

• To introduce new bills

What is required for a bill to become law after being passed by both houses of Congress?

• Public referendum

• State legislature approval

• Supreme Court approval

• Presidential signature

What happens if the President does not sign or veto a bill and Congress adjourns?

• It goes to the Supreme Court

• It returns to Congress for revision

• It fails to become law

• It becomes law automatically

What is a pocket veto?

• When a bill is vetoed and immediately reconsidered by Congress

• When a bill is vetoed with unanimous consent

• When the President vetoes a bill without public announcement

• When a bill does not become law because the President does not sign it and Congress adjourns