The Legislative Branch

Which of these statements is true for both the House of Representatives and the Senate?

• Members get allowances to visit their states.

• Members must be at least 30 years old.

• Members represent a particular district.

• Population dictates the number of members.

One political party has consistently won a House seat within a particular district with 75-80% of the vote. Then, one year, the other party wins the seat with 85% of the vote. This result could be evidence of which of the following?

• gerrymandering

• censure

• incumbent advantage

• reapportionment

The set rules of the 435-member House seek to limit debate, move legislation forward, and promote:

• majority rule.

• minority rule.

• the president's agenda.

• states' rights.

Which of the following is a power unique to the Senate?

• Initiating revenue bills

• Confirming presidential appointments

• Declaring war

• Impeaching officials

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What is the role of a conference committee in Congress?

• To draft new legislation

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

• To conduct investigations

• To oversee the executive branch

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Which of the following is an example of legislative oversight?

• The President vetoing a bill

• Congress holding hearings to investigate the executive branch

• The Supreme Court ruling a law unconstitutional

• The Senate confirming a Supreme Court justice

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House rules that limit the amount of time a member can speak during a floor debate is meant to:

• move legislation quickly toward a floor vote.

• limit the minority party's influence on legislation.

• prevent legislation from moving too quickly to a floor vote.

• give committees more time to review proposed bills.

Before a bill comes to the floor for debate and vote, it is studied and shaped by:

• a committee

• the majority leader

• the Speaker of the House

• the majority caucus

The powerful House Rules Committtee's role includes deciding:

• when a bill is introduced to the floor and for how long it will be debated.

• whether a member may be censured or expelled from the chamber.

• who will chair the various House standing committees.

• which committee will review a bill after its is introduced.

To virtually eliminate the threat of a filibuster from the minority party, the Senate would have to have a minimum of how many members in the majority party?

• 60

• 75

• 50

• 55