U.S. Legislative Process Knowledge Quiz

Where do all laws in the United States begin?

• In the Supreme Court
• As bills
• As executive orders
• As amendments

Who can suggest ideas for new laws?

• Only members of Congress
• Representatives or citizens
• The President and Vice President
• Only political parties

What happens if a Representative agrees with a citizen’s idea for a bill?

• The bill goes straight to a vote
• It is automatically sent to the Senate
• The Representative researches the idea and drafts a bill
• It is approved by the Supreme Court

What is the first formal step in the legislative process?

• Introduction of the bill in the House or Senate
• Debate on the House floor
• Committee review
• Presidential approval

What is a committee?

• A group of voters who choose new laws
• A small group of legislators who study, discuss, and revise bills
• A joint session of the Supreme Court and Congress
• A meeting between citizens and representatives

What is the purpose of a subcommittee hearing?

• To veto the bill
• To campaign for the bill
• To “mark up” and revise the bill
• To schedule floor debate

What is a subcommittee?

• A temporary group of judges reviewing laws
• A smaller group within a committee that focuses on specific issues
• The President’s advisory team on Congress
• The main voting group for final passage

What can the full committee do after receiving a bill from the subcommittee?

• Only reject it
• Send it directly to the President
• Approve, amend, or pigeonhole it
• Vote only after the Senate acts

What does it mean to “pigeonhole” a bill?

• Pass it immediately
• Refuse to act on it
• Rewrite the entire bill
• Send it to the Supreme Court

What is the main job of the House Rules Committee?

• To draft new bills
• To decide when and how bills are debated
• To merge House and Senate bills
• To confirm presidential nominations