Review-Notes, How Congress is Organized

What is the structure of Congress as established by the Great Compromise?

• Unicameral

• Bicameral

• Tricameral

• Quadricameral

What is the larger body of Congress?

• Senate

• House of Representatives

• Supreme Court

• Executive Branch

What is the purpose of gerrymandering?

• To ensure equal representation

• To increase the voting strength of a particular group

• To reduce the number of districts

• To eliminate political parties

What is the role of the Census Bureau in Congress?

• To elect representatives

• To count the population

• To draw district boundaries

• To appoint senators

Who presides over the Senate and may vote to break a tie?

• The Speaker of the House

• The President pro tempore

• The Vice President

• The Senate Majority Leader

What is the role of the president pro tempore in the Senate?

• To veto bills

• To act as chairperson of the Senate

• To appoint committee members

• To lead the House of Representatives

What do floor leaders try to do with bills?

• Veto them

• Push them along

• Rewrite them

• Ignore them

Why do members of Congress from farm areas want to serve on agriculture committees?

• To manage commerce

• To handle veterans' affairs

• To affect the people who elected them

• To address special issues

What is one criticism of the seniority system?

• It ensures experienced chairpersons

• It prevents fights over committee jobs

• It overlooks talented people

• It guarantees the best decisions

What has happened to the seniority system over the years?

• It has become more strict

• It has been completely abolished

• Both parties have moved slightly away from it

• It has become more popular