Legislative Quiz

In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself.

• The power of the federal government is absolute and does not need to be shared with the states.

• The government is designed to ensure that power is divided and checked, providing protection for individual rights.

• The people have no role in the government, as power is only held by elected officials.

• All branches of government should have equal power, with no checks or balances in place.

Article III Section 2: The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed Who has the power to hold impeachment trials?

• Supreme Court

• House of Representatives

• The Senate

• State Court

The above image depicts the Senate's power to?

• Approve or reject appointments

• Pass laws

• Ratify treaties

• Impeach officials

Based on Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which of the following statements accurately describes the powers granted to Congress?

• Congress is responsible for enforcing laws and managing the military.

• Congress has no authority over financial matters or taxation.

• Congress serves as the highest court in the land, interpreting laws and settling disputes.

• Congress has the power to create laws, regulate commerce, and declare war.

In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argues that "the effects of faction can be mitigated by a large republic." How does this relate to the function of the legislative branch?

• The legislative branch is designed to support factions in order to maintain power.

• The legislative branch can address and balance competing interests within a diverse population.

• The legislative branch has no influence over factions, as that is the role of the executive branch.

• The legislative branch's main function is to suppress all factions for a unified government.

Read the following information and answer the question: In Baltimore, the mayor can refuse to sign a bill passed by the city council. However, the city council can still make the bill a law if a three-quarters majority votes to reject the mayor's decision. At the federal level of government, the president can refuse to sign a bill into law that Congress has passed. Congress can reject the president’s decision if two-thirds of the members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate vote to do so. The information describes what part of the legislative process?

• Cloture used to stop a filibuster

• Legislative override of executive vetoes

• Introducing ballot propositions to pass a bill

• The role of the committee system in passing laws

Use the table to answer the question. The table identifies congressional leaders at the start of the 109th session. Based on the information, which statement about the 109th congress is correct?

• Republicans had more influence than Democrats about which bills to consider.

• Republican members had been in Congress longer than Democratic members.

• Republicans could organize their members more easily than Democrats could.

• Republicans had fewer members serving as committee chairs than Democrats did.

Use the excerpt below to answer the question. How did the adoption of the 17th Amendment increase democracy in the United States?

• by increasing the power of state constitutions

• by decreasing the power of the executive branch

What has to happen before a bill becomes a law?

• Debate in committees

• House approval or Senate approval

• Sending the bill to the desk of the president

• All of the above

The Constitutional Convention established a two-house legislature, or this term, for the United States government.

• Bicameral

• Unicameral

• Tricameral

• Parliamentary