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Questions and Answers
Congress has the ultimate authority to draft laws concerning ______ commerce.
Congress has the ultimate authority to draft laws concerning ______ commerce.
interstate
A law is essentially a determination of what is ______ and what is wrong.
A law is essentially a determination of what is ______ and what is wrong.
right
Only US House ______ can introduce a bill into the House.
Only US House ______ can introduce a bill into the House.
Representatives
Once a bill is introduced, it will be moved on to the ______ system.
Once a bill is introduced, it will be moved on to the ______ system.
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Congress has broken itself up into specialized units called ______ committees.
Congress has broken itself up into specialized units called ______ committees.
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Most bills will be sent to a standing committee that deals with the proposed legislation’s ______ matter.
Most bills will be sent to a standing committee that deals with the proposed legislation’s ______ matter.
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They are called 'standing' because they exist and work ______.
They are called 'standing' because they exist and work ______.
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When a new Senator arrives to serve the first year of his or her term, he or she is assigned to three ______ committees.
When a new Senator arrives to serve the first year of his or her term, he or she is assigned to three ______ committees.
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Only a simple majority of ______ votes was needed to confirm a Supreme Court nominee.
Only a simple majority of ______ votes was needed to confirm a Supreme Court nominee.
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Gorsuch was confirmed to the Court by a ______ - 45 vote.
Gorsuch was confirmed to the Court by a ______ - 45 vote.
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The elimination of the filibuster makes it easier for a president's party to confirm their Supreme Court ______.
The elimination of the filibuster makes it easier for a president's party to confirm their Supreme Court ______.
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About 4 thousand executive positions must be approved by the Senate in each ______ term.
About 4 thousand executive positions must be approved by the Senate in each ______ term.
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The power to advise and consent extends to foreign policy and requires a two-thirds ______ for treaty approval.
The power to advise and consent extends to foreign policy and requires a two-thirds ______ for treaty approval.
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The conflict between northern and southern states influenced the Senate's ______ of power.
The conflict between northern and southern states influenced the Senate's ______ of power.
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The Senate routinely approves most presidential ______.
The Senate routinely approves most presidential ______.
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In late 2010, the Senate voted to approve the ______ treaty, which was a nuclear arms treaty with Russia.
In late 2010, the Senate voted to approve the ______ treaty, which was a nuclear arms treaty with Russia.
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The House and Senate Foreign Affairs/Relations Committees monitor the president’s foreign policy decisions and oversee the ______.
The House and Senate Foreign Affairs/Relations Committees monitor the president’s foreign policy decisions and oversee the ______.
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Appropriations Committees control the federal ______ by overseeing spending.
Appropriations Committees control the federal ______ by overseeing spending.
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The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee are responsible for tax legislation and oversight of the ______.
The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee are responsible for tax legislation and oversight of the ______.
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Congress has the power of ______ to remove federal judges, the president, vice president, and cabinet officials.
Congress has the power of ______ to remove federal judges, the president, vice president, and cabinet officials.
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Impeachments begin in the U.S. House of ______, where a committee investigates grounds for impeachment.
Impeachments begin in the U.S. House of ______, where a committee investigates grounds for impeachment.
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Constitutionally, impeachments are undertaken for allegations of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and ______.
Constitutionally, impeachments are undertaken for allegations of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and ______.
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If evidence supports impeachment, the committee drafts articles of ______ which outline specific charges.
If evidence supports impeachment, the committee drafts articles of ______ which outline specific charges.
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During the impeachment trial in the Senate, senators act as ______ and the Chief Justice presides if it involves the president.
During the impeachment trial in the Senate, senators act as ______ and the Chief Justice presides if it involves the president.
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Bob Livingston was the ex- Speaker of the House and the chairman of the House Appropriations ______.
Bob Livingston was the ex- Speaker of the House and the chairman of the House Appropriations ______.
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The Boston’s Big Dig project is often cited as a prime example of pork barrel spending in ______.
The Boston’s Big Dig project is often cited as a prime example of pork barrel spending in ______.
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The two other committees typically associated with pork are the Ways and Means Committee and the ______ Committee.
The two other committees typically associated with pork are the Ways and Means Committee and the ______ Committee.
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The U.S. tax ______ is thousands of pages long, adding to its complexity.
The U.S. tax ______ is thousands of pages long, adding to its complexity.
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Select committees are created to temporarily address or investigate specific ______.
Select committees are created to temporarily address or investigate specific ______.
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A current example of a select committee in Congress is the House Select Committee on the ______ Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
A current example of a select committee in Congress is the House Select Committee on the ______ Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
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The House Appropriations Committee helps determine how much ______ is allocated to various projects.
The House Appropriations Committee helps determine how much ______ is allocated to various projects.
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Select committees are typically shut down once they finish their work and issue a ______ to the American public.
Select committees are typically shut down once they finish their work and issue a ______ to the American public.
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The U.S. government spends around thirty billion dollars a year supporting ______.
The U.S. government spends around thirty billion dollars a year supporting ______.
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To grow peanuts, one must obtain a ______ from the federal government.
To grow peanuts, one must obtain a ______ from the federal government.
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Riders are usually attached to larger, more ______ bills.
Riders are usually attached to larger, more ______ bills.
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A 'rider' refers to an additional provision or ______ added to a bill.
A 'rider' refers to an additional provision or ______ added to a bill.
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Members on ______ often have the most immediate access to applying riders to bills.
Members on ______ often have the most immediate access to applying riders to bills.
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Riders are controversial because they are often placed into important pieces of ______ to secure their passage.
Riders are controversial because they are often placed into important pieces of ______ to secure their passage.
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Emergency spending bills due to a natural disaster are likely to feature ______.
Emergency spending bills due to a natural disaster are likely to feature ______.
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Regulatory and tax policies created in ______ influence various economic interests.
Regulatory and tax policies created in ______ influence various economic interests.
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Both of the two major political parties in Congress prioritize appealing to certain single-issue groups that lobby for hot button political issues such as abortion, gun ownership, and ______ action for minority groups.
Both of the two major political parties in Congress prioritize appealing to certain single-issue groups that lobby for hot button political issues such as abortion, gun ownership, and ______ action for minority groups.
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In 2009, the Senate approved Barack Obama's nominee, Sonia ______ as a Supreme Court judge.
In 2009, the Senate approved Barack Obama's nominee, Sonia ______ as a Supreme Court judge.
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In 2010, the Senate approved ______ Kagan to the Supreme Court by a largely party-line vote.
In 2010, the Senate approved ______ Kagan to the Supreme Court by a largely party-line vote.
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The process of confirmation reached a particularly contentious level in 2016, when Barack Obama nominated ______ Garland to the Supreme Court.
The process of confirmation reached a particularly contentious level in 2016, when Barack Obama nominated ______ Garland to the Supreme Court.
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In 2017, Donald Trump nominated Neil ______ to the Supreme Court.
In 2017, Donald Trump nominated Neil ______ to the Supreme Court.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans extended the so-called ______ option to include Supreme Court nominations.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans extended the so-called ______ option to include Supreme Court nominations.
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The nuclear option, first invoked by Democrats in 2013, suspended the cloture vote and reduced the number of votes needed to confirm a nomination to a simple ______ of more than fifty percent.
The nuclear option, first invoked by Democrats in 2013, suspended the cloture vote and reduced the number of votes needed to confirm a nomination to a simple ______ of more than fifty percent.
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In April 2017, Republicans voted to change the Senate rules so that a ______ could no longer be used to block Supreme Court nominees.
In April 2017, Republicans voted to change the Senate rules so that a ______ could no longer be used to block Supreme Court nominees.
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Study Notes
Chapter 5: Congress
- Congress is divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution lists 18 enumerated powers for Congress.
- These powers include taxation, borrowing money, regulating interstate commerce, establishing a military, declaring war, establishing postal services, and creating a national currency.
- Congress can also override presidential vetoes with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.
- Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution lists powers denied to Congress, such as suspending habeas corpus (except in cases of rebellion or invasion), passing bills of attainder, or ex post facto laws.
- Congress cannot tax exports.
- Congress cannot grant titles of nobility.
- Congress cannot prohibit the slave trade until 1808.
- The General Welfare Clause allows Congress to tax and spend money to promote the general welfare.
Congressional Leadership
- The Speaker of the House is the most powerful position in the House, chosen by the majority party.
- The Majority Leader in the House is the formal party leader with the most seats in the House.
- The Senate's highest leadership position is the President of the Senate, which is the Vice President of the United States.
- The President of the Senate can only vote to break a tie.
- The Majority Leader in the Senate is elected by the majority party.
- The Minority Leader in the Senate is elected by the minority party.
Theories of Representation
- Instructed Delegate: Representatives vote according to the wishes of their constituents, regardless of personal beliefs.
- Trustee: Representatives vote according to their own judgment and expertise, considering the best interests of the nation.
- Politico: Representatives balance the needs of their constituents with broader national interests.
The US House of Representatives
- Constitutional qualifications: 25 years old, a US citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state they represent.
- Membership is based on state populations.
- Each state has at least one representative.
- Representatives serve two-year terms.
The US Senate
- Constitutional qualifications: 30 years old, a US citizen for 9 years, and a resident of the state they represent.
- Membership is 2 senators per state.
- Senators serve six-year terms.
- The Senate has the power of advice and consent for presidential appointments and treaties.
- The Senate holds impeachment trials.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Bills can originate in either the House or Senate.
Congressional Oversight
- Congress monitors the executive branch to ensure laws are being implemented as intended, and budgets are being spent as allocated.
- The General Accountability Office (GAO) is an agency that assists in this oversight function.
Impeachment
- Impeachment is the process of formally charging a government official with misconduct. This happens in the House and trial in the Senate.
- Impeachment can result from "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."
- A simple majority in the House is needed to impeach, but a two-thirds majority in the Senate is required to convict and remove a government official.
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Description
This quiz covers Chapter 5 on Congress, introducing the two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. It includes key powers granted to Congress by the Constitution, such as taxation and military establishment, as well as powers denied to it. Test your understanding of the legislative process and congressional leadership dynamics.
