Understanding the Legislative Process

What is the primary purpose of a conference committee in the legislative process?

• To draft new bills

• To reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

• To veto bills

• To enforce laws

Who comprises the conference committee?

• Members of the executive branch

• Members from the original House and Senate committees

• Only House members

• Only Senate members

What happens to a bill after the conference committee resolves the differences?

• It is sent to the President for approval

• It is returned to each chamber for a vote

• It becomes law automatically

• It is discarded

How long does the President have to sign a bill into law?

• 5 days

• 7 days

• 10 days

• 15 days

What is a signing statement?

• A formal rejection of a bill

• A statement issued by the President describing their thoughts on the law

• A document that enacts a bill into law

• A report on the financial implications of a bill

What happens if the President takes no action on a bill for ten days while Congress is in session?

• The bill is vetoed

• The bill becomes a law

• The bill is sent back to Congress

• The bill is discarded

What is a pocket veto?

• When the President signs a bill into law

• When the President vetoes a bill by taking no action and Congress adjourns

• When Congress overrides a presidential veto

• When a bill is passed without any amendments

What can ideological divisions in Congress lead to?

• Immediate passage of bills

• Gridlock or the need for negotiation and compromise

• Automatic approval of all bills

• Unilateral decision-making

If a congressional session ends during the ten days the President has to sign a bill, what must happen for the bill to become law?

• The President must sign the bill

• The bill automatically becomes law

• The bill is sent back to Congress

• The bill is discarded

What is the role of the executive branch once a bill is signed into law?

• To draft new legislation

• To implement and enforce the law

• To veto the law

• To amend the law