Study Hall - How Does Congress “Work”?

How is the number of representatives each state has in the House of Representatives determined?

• Based on the state's population

• Based on the state's land area

• Each state has an equal number of representatives

• Based on the state's economic output

What are the two main chambers that make up the U.S. Congress?

• The House of Representatives and the Senate

• The Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch

• The State Legislature and the Federal Legislature

• The Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch

What is a key responsibility of the Speaker of the House?

• Presiding over the Senate

• Vetoing bills passed by Congress

• Crafting strategy for the kinds of bills and policies the House will work on

• Appointing Supreme Court justices

Who typically presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President?

• The Speaker of the House

• The Majority Leader

• The President Pro Tempore

• The Chief Justice

What is the primary role of a party whip in Congress?

• To draft new legislation

• To lead committee hearings

• To enforce party discipline and strategy among members

• To represent their state in foreign affairs

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

• To introduce new bills to Congress.

• To investigate specific issues or scandals.

• To resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

• To assign members to various standing committees.

What significant power do committee chairs hold regarding proposed legislation?

• They can veto bills passed by their committee.

• They decide whether a proposed bill will even be considered by the committee.

• They are responsible for drafting all new legislation.

• They appoint all members to their committee.

What term describes when a proposed bill is prevented from ever reaching a vote by the full chamber?

• Positive agenda control

• Filibuster

• Negative agenda control

• Cloture

In the Senate, what procedural tactic allows a minority of senators to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate indefinitely?

• Cloture

• Veto

• Filibuster

• Markup