Understanding the U.S. Lawmaking Process

What does the word 'federal' mean in the context of the U.S. government?

• Relating to a single state

• Relating to foreign policies

• Relating to the president only

• Relating to a nation formed by a union of parts

Who can introduce a bill in Congress?

• A state governor

• Only the President

• Any citizen

• A member of Congress

What is the first draft of a law called?

• A regulation

• A bill

• A guideline

• A rule

Where does a sponsor drop the written draft of a bill in the House of Representatives?

• In a metal box

• At the Supreme Court

• In a wooden box called the hopper

• Directly to the President

What happens if the President does not act on a bill for 10 days while Congress is in session?

• The bill is automatically vetoed

• The bill becomes a law

• The bill returns to the Senate

• The bill is discarded

What is a filibuster used for in the Senate?

• To quickly pass a bill

• To introduce a new bill

• To honor a senator

• To delay or block a vote on a bill

What must happen for a bill to become a law after the President vetoes it?

• It automatically becomes a law

• Congress must override the veto with a two-thirds majority

• It must be rewritten entirely

• It must be approved by the Supreme Court

What is the role of committees in the lawmaking process?

• To sign bills into law

• To review and make changes to bills

• To represent other countries

• To elect the President

What happens to most bills introduced in Congress?

• They die in committee

• They are vetoed by the President

• They become laws

• They are approved without changes

What is required for a bill to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate?

• Approval from the Supreme Court

• A majority vote

• A simple presence of members

• A unanimous decision