Legislative Branch Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of committees in Congress?

  • To draft treaties and foreign policy decisions
  • To represent the interests of their local constituents
  • To review proposed legislation and make changes before it is voted on (correct)
  • To oversee the executive branch's actions

What is one key task that senators perform?

  • Vote on laws and approve treaties (correct)
  • Represent individual citizens in their district
  • Approve local ordinances
  • Allocate funding for state budgets

How does the Bill of Rights affect the federal government's powers?

  • It expands the powers of the federal government significantly
  • It protects individual freedoms and limits government power (correct)
  • It removes checks and balances from the government structure
  • It allows Congress to override state laws

Which of the following accurately describes Congress's control over government spending?

<p>Congress controls spending through the power of the purse by approving budgets and allocating funds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the current Speaker of the House as of the latest update?

<p>Mike Johnson (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the 'Necessary and Proper' Clause?

<p>To allow Congress to fulfill implied powers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many members are there in the Senate?

<p>100 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following presidents has been impeached?

<p>Bill Clinton (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length for members of the House of Representatives?

<p>2 years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Speaker of the House have?

<p>Sets the legislative agenda (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic can be used in the Senate to delay a vote?

<p>Filibuster (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary non-legislative power of Congress?

<p>Impeach federal officials (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How often is the Census conducted?

<p>Every 10 years (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the Legislative Branch?

<p>To make laws (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum term length for a member of the House of Representatives?

<p>Two years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a veto?

<p>Rejection of a bill by the president (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of the Senate?

<p>Senators confirm appointments (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 17th Amendment achieve?

<p>It allows voters to directly elect senators (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which house of Congress is known for handling tax bills?

<p>The House of Representatives (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

<p>Redrawing voting district lines for political advantage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an expressed power of Congress?

<p>Declaring war (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Supreme Court in the judicial branch?

<p>To interpret the constitutionality of laws (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes a textualist/originalist approach to constitutional interpretation?

<p>The text of the Constitution should be understood in the context of its original meaning (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is considered original jurisdiction?

<p>Cases that can only be heard by the Supreme Court (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?

<p>Article III (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of appellate jurisdiction?

<p>To review decisions made by lower courts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of opinion explains the reasoning of the majority in a Supreme Court ruling?

<p>Majority Opinion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a Federal Judge?

<p>An appointed official who serves for life, barring impeachment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are Anti-Federalist concerns largely centered around?

<p>The potential abuse of power by a centralized judiciary (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which court is at the lowest level of the federal court system where trials are conducted?

<p>District Court (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for appointing judges to the District Court and Court of Appeals?

<p>The President (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of jurisdiction is held by the U.S. Court of Appeals?

<p>Appellate jurisdiction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Supreme Court is correct?

<p>The Chief Justice leads the Supreme Court. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Chief Legislator' refer to in the context of the executive branch?

<p>The President’s ability to veto legislation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the War Powers Act?

<p>To limit the President’s ability to wage war without Congressional approval (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a presidential candidate to be elected?

<p>Achieving the majority of Electoral Votes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of the Chief Diplomat?

<p>The President’s authority to negotiate treaties and conduct foreign affairs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Office of Management and Budget?

<p>To manage the federal budget and oversee financial administration (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key duty of the National Security Council?

<p>Advising the President on foreign policies (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group is considered one of the four members of the Inner Cabinet?

<p>Attorney General (A), Secretary of Defense (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which role of the President involves ensuring laws are faithfully executed?

<p>Chief Executive (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the role of Commander-in-Chief, what action is a President authorized to take?

<p>Mobilize troops in times of crisis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one responsibility of the President as the Legislative Leader?

<p>To sign bills into law (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the President's role in foreign affairs?

<p>Acts as the head diplomat of the country (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which role allows the President to appoint ambassadors?

<p>Head of State (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for creating laws, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress, with representation based on a state's population. Members serve two-year terms.

Senate

The upper house of Congress, with equal representation for each state. Senators serve six-year terms.

Bill

A proposed law presented to Congress for approval.

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Veto

The President's power to reject a bill passed by Congress. Congress can override it with a two-thirds vote.

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Committee

A group of legislators who review and revise bills before they are voted on by the entire body.

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Census

A count of the population every 10 years, determining the distribution of representatives in the House.

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Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers (like the House and Senate), designed to balance the power between large and small states.

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Implied Powers

Powers not directly stated in the Constitution but necessary to carry out expressed powers. Derived from the "Necessary and Proper" Clause.

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Impeach

The process of formally accusing a government official with wrongdoing. The House of Representatives initiates it, and the Senate conducts the trial.

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Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay a vote by speaking for a long time. Requires a 60-vote majority to end.

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The Great Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that created a bicameral legislature. It combined the Virginia Plan (representation by population) with the New Jersey Plan (equal representation) by forming the House of Representatives (based on population) and the Senate (equal representation).

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Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives. Sets the legislative agenda, presides over debates, and is second in line for the presidency after the Vice President.

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Checks and Balances

The system in the U.S. government that ensures no branch becomes too powerful. Legislative branch makes laws, Executive branch enforces laws, and the Judicial branch interprets laws. Each branch has checks on the others.

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Impeachment Power

Congress's power to accuse and remove federal officials for misconduct, including the president.

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Legislative Powers of Congress

The power to make laws, impose taxes, declare war, regulate commerce, and approve the federal budget.

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What do Committees do?

Committees review proposed legislation, hold hearings, make changes, and then send bills to the full House or Senate.

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Purpose of the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights protects individual freedoms by limiting the federal government's power through guarantees like free speech, due process, and protection against unreasonable searches.

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Congress's Power over Spending

Congress controls government spending by approving the budget, allocating funds, and overseeing how money is spent.

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Differences: Senators vs. Representatives

Senators represent their entire state while Representatives represent a specific district within their state.

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Congress's Main Job

Making and passing laws is the most well-known task of Congress.

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District Court

The lowest level of the federal court system where trials are held and lawsuits are begun.

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Original Jurisdiction

The power to hear a case for the first time. District courts have original jurisdiction over most federal cases.

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U.S. Court of Appeals

The court above the District Court in the Federal Court System.

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Appellate Jurisdiction

The power to review a case that has already been decided by a lower court. The U.S. Court of Appeals has appellate jurisdiction.

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The Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, with the power to review decisions of lower federal courts and state supreme courts.

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POTUS

The President of the United States, head of the Executive Branch.

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Pardon

The President's power to pardon or commute sentences for federal crimes.

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Treaties

Formal agreements between the United States and other nations, negotiated by the President and ratified by the Senate.

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Supreme Court

The highest court in the US federal court system, with final authority on legal matters.

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Anti-Federalist Concerns

Concerns of those who opposed the Constitution's strong federal government.

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Federal Judge

A judge appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve on a federal court.

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Unofficial Requirements for Federal Judge

Factors like reputation, experience, and political ideology that influence a judge's selection, but aren't official requirements.

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Textualist/Originalist

A judicial philosophy that emphasizes interpreting the Constitution based on its original meaning.

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Living Constitutionalist

A judicial philosophy that interprets the Constitution in light of contemporary values and circumstances.

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Article III of the Constitution

The section of the Constitution that establishes the federal court system, including the Supreme Court.

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What does the Office of Management and Budget do?

The OMB ensures that the federal budget is properly allocated and spent in accordance with the President's priorities.

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What does the National Security Council do?

The NSC advises the President on national security matters, including military strategy, foreign policy, and intelligence.

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Who are the 4 members of the Inner Cabinet?

The Inner Cabinet is the group of advisors closest to the President and includes the Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and Attorney General.

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Chief Legislator

A president's role as Chief Legislator includes advocating for their legislative agenda, working with Congress, and proposing and signing laws.

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Commander in Chief

A president's role as Commander in Chief involves leading the military, deploying troops, and making crucial decisions on national defense.

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Chief Diplomat

A president's role as Chief Diplomat involves engaging with foreign leaders, negotiating treaties, and representing the nation on the world stage.

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Chief Executive

A president's role as Chief Executive involves overseeing the executive branch, enforcing laws, and appointing key officials.

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Chief of State

A president's role as Chief of State involves acting as a symbol of the nation, performing ceremonial duties, and representing the country at events.

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Study Notes

Legislative Branch

  • The Legislative Branch is the part of government responsible for creating laws.
  • Congress is made up of two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
  • The House of Representatives has representatives based on each state's population, and members serve two-year terms.
  • The Senate has two senators per state, regardless of population, and senators serve six-year terms.
  • A bill is a proposed law that must pass both the House and Senate before becoming a law.
  • The president may veto a bill, but Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote.
  • Committees review and revise bills before full votes.
  • Legislators are people who make laws, such as members of Congress.
  • Congress, the federal legislature, makes laws.
  • The Senate is the upper house, characterized by equal state representation and longer terms (6 years). Senators confirm appointments and approve treaties.
  • The House of Representatives is the lower house, characterized by proportional representation and shorter terms (2 years). The House handles bills related to taxes and spending.
  • The 17th Amendment allows voters to directly elect senators.
  • Congress can initiate tax bills & impeach officials; the Senate confirms appointments, ratifies treaties, and conducts impeachment trials.

The Legislative Process

  • A bill is introduced, reviewed by committees, debated, voted on, and sent to the president for approval.
  • The Census, a population count every 10 years, determines the number of House representatives each state receives.
  • A bicameral legislature has two chambers to balance power between large and small states.
  • Constituents are the people who the legislators represent.
  • Gerrymandering is redrawing voting district lines to benefit a political party, which can affect election outcomes.
  • Expressed powers are powers explicitly listed in the Constitution, such as regulating trade and taxing.
  • Implied powers are not directly written in the Constitution but are required to carry out expressed powers, coming from the "Necessary and Proper" Clause.
  • Impeachment is when a government official is formally charged with wrongdoing; the House initiates the process, and the Senate conducts the trial.
  • A filibuster is a tactic used in the Senate to delay a vote by speaking for a long time, potentially ending with a 60-vote majority.

Congress' Powers

  • Congress can make laws, impose taxes, declare war, regulate commerce, and approve the federal budget.
  • The Great Compromise, established at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, created a bicameral legislature by combining the Virginia Plan (representation based on population) and the New Jersey Plan (equal representation).
  • The legislative process involves committees reviewing proposed legislation, holding hearings, and making amendments to bills before they are submitted to the full House or Senate.
  • The House and Senate have different roles and responsibilities in the law-making process, balancing power and representation.
  • Congress controls government spending by approving the federal budget and allocating funds, having the "power of the purse."

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Description

Test your knowledge about the Legislative Branch of the government. This quiz covers the structure and function of Congress, including the House of Representatives and the Senate. Understand the process of how laws are created and the roles of legislators in shaping legislation.

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