Unit 4: Legislative Branch

Step 1: a bill is drafted

Step 2: The bill is referred to a subcommittee in the House or Senate

Step 3: Subcommittee members mark up the bill

Step 4: The bill is reported to the full committee

Step 5: All House or Senate members debate the bill & vote

Step 6: If passed, the bill is referred to the chamber

What happens immediately after step 6?

• The President will veto or sign it

• The subcommittee in the other chamber begins to process the bill

• The American people vote on the bill

• The Vice President holds a joint conference to see if both chambers will advance the bill

In the House of Representatives, what position is the post powerful?

• Vice President

• President Pro Tempore

• Speaker of the House

• Majority Whip

Based on the chart, what reason is most likely why Senators have longer terms than Representatives?

• To prevent Senators from being as accountable to the public

• To encourage Senators to take immediate action on policy

• To ensure Senators had less power than the House

• To allow Senators to focus on longer-term issues

How long are terms for House of Representatives members?

• 2 years

• 4 years

• 6 years

• 8 years

How did the 17th Amendment change the way US Senators are elected?

• It allowed state legislatures to elect Senators

• It allowed US citizens to directly elect Senators

• It increased term lengths for Senators

• It decreased the number of Senators per state

Which THREE items are requirements to be a member in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES?

Groups:

(a) NOT requirements

,

(b) Requirements

• Must be a citizen of the US

• Must be 25 years old

• Must be born in the US

• Must have served in the military

• Must live in the state you represent

Which THREE items are requirements to be a member in the SENATE?

Groups:

(a) NOT requirements

,

(b) Requirements

• Must live in the state you represent

• Must be college educated

• Must be a citizen of the US

• Must be 30 years old

• Must be married with children

Which committee is responsible for working out differences between House & Senate versions of a bill?

• Conference Committee

• Standing Committee

• Rules Committee

• Appropriations Committee

What is "power of the purse" and which chamber of Congress holds it?

• The power to raise & spend money; held by the Senate

• The power to regulate trade, held by the House

• The power to declare war, held by both chambers

• The power to raise & spend money, held by the House

Why do lobbyists play a controversial role in the legislative process?

• The force Congress to draft bills

• They provide expertise on issues but can also strongly influence lawmakers

• The create laws that favor their own interests

• They always think of what's best for the general public