US Government Legislative Branch Quiz

The Legislative Branch

• The Legislative Branch is the branch of government that makes laws.
• Congress is part of the Legislative Branch.
• Congress has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• House of Representatives representatives are based on state population.
• House members serve two-year terms.
• Senate has two senators per state, regardless of size.
• Senators serve six-year terms.
• A bill is a proposed law.
• A bill must pass both the House and Senate to become law.
• The president can veto a bill.
• Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote.
• Committees review and revise bills.
• Most bills are studied by committees before a full vote.
• A legislator is a person who makes laws.
• Congress is the federal legislature in the U.S.
• The Senate is the upper house with equal state representation and longer terms (6 years).
• Senators confirm appointments and approve treaties.
• The House of Representatives is the lower house with proportional representation and shorter terms (2 years).
• The House handles bills related to taxes and spending.
• The 17th Amendment allowed voters to directly elect senators.
• The House can initiate tax bills and impeach officials.
• The Senate confirms appointments, ratifies treaties, and conducts impeachment trials.

Steps of Making a Law

• A bill is introduced, reviewed by committees, debated, voted on, and sent to the president.
• A census is a population count every 10 years.
• A census determines the number of House representatives each state gets.
• A bicameral legislature has two chambers.
• Constituents are the people legislators represent.
• Gerrymandering is redrawing voting district lines to benefit a political party.
• This practice can affect election outcomes.
• Expressed Powers are powers specifically listed in the Constitution (e.g., power to tax and regulate trade).
• Implied Powers are powers not directly stated in the Constitution, needed to carry out expressed powers (e.g., “Necessary and Proper” Clause).
• Impeachment is formally charging a government official with wrongdoing.
• The House initiates impeachment, and the Senate conducts the trial.
• A filibuster is a tactic used in the Senate to delay a vote by prolonged speaking, requiring a 60-vote majority to end it.

The Great Compromise

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

Number of Congresspersons

• 100 senators
• 435 representatives

Other Key Points

• Congress makes laws, imposes taxes, declares war, regulates commerce, and approves the federal budget.
• The power to impeach and remove federal officials, including the president, is a non-legislative power of Congress.
• Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump have been impeached.
• The U.S. Government operates with a system of checks and balances.
• Legislative branch makes laws, Executive branch enforces laws, and Judicial branch interprets laws.
• Each branch can limit the others (e.g., presidential veto, Congressional override, and judicial review)
• The most important task of Congress is making and passing laws.

The Bill of Rights

• Protects individual freedoms and limits federal power.
• Guarantees rights such as free speech, due process, and protection from unreasonable searches.

The Speaker of the House

• Leads the House of Representatives
• Sets the legislative agenda.
• Presides over the debates.
• Second in line for the presidency after the Vice President.

The Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court: Highest judicial authority in the U.S., consisting of 9 justices.
• Anti-Federalist Concerns: Feared a strong central govt and wanted protections for states' rights & individual freedoms (Bill of Rights).
• Federal Judge: Appointed to serve in U.S. District Court, Court of Appeals, or Supreme Court.
• Original Jurisdiction: Allows a court to hear a case first in disputes involving states or foreign diplomats, rather than on appeal.
• Originalist/Textualist: Interpret Constitution based on its original meaning when written.
• Living Constitutionalist: Believe the Constitution's meaning evolves over time.
• Article III: Establishes the judicial branch, defines its powers and structure (including the Supreme Court).
• District Court: Lowest level of federal courts where trials are held.
• Court of Appeals: Reviews decisions from District Courts, does not hold trials.
• Appellate Jurisdiction: Authority to review and revise lower court decisions.
• Circuit: A regional division in the federal Court of Appeals system (there are 13).
• Judicial Review: Allows courts to determine if laws violate the Constitution (established in Marbury v. Madison).
• Majority Opinion: Supreme Court's decision and reasoning, supported by most justices (sets legal precedent).
• Dissenting Opinion: Written by justices who disagree with the majority.
• Federal court levels: District Court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court.
• District Courts handle most legal disputes, including federal trials and lawsuits.
• Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases involving federal law, the Constitution, interstate disputes, and U.S. government cases.
• District courts have original jurisdiction (hear cases first) before any appeals.
• The President appoints District Court and Court of Appeals judges; these appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.
• The Court of Appeals is above the District Court in the federal court system.
• The U.S. Court of Appeals has appellate jurisdiction (reviewing lower court decisions).
• Congress created Courts of Appeals to reduce the Supreme Court's workload.
• Appeals Courts review lower court decisions to determine if legal errors occurred during a trial.

The Executive Branch

• The Executive Branch: Enforces laws headed by the President of the United States (POTUS).
• Includes Vice President, Cabinet, and federal agencies.
• Prime Minister vs President: A Prime Minister leads a parliamentary govt chosen by the legislature; a President leads a republic, often directly elected by the people.
• Commander in Chief: The President is commander of the military.
• Chief Legislator: The President influences lawmaking by proposing bills & signing/vetoing legislation.
• Chief Diplomat: The President represents the U.S. on international matters.
• Chief of the Party: The President supports their political party candidates and sets the party's agenda.
• Chief Executive: The President ensures laws are carried out, overseeing federal agencies and appointing officials.
• Chief of State: The President is the symbolic representative of the U.S.
• Chief Citizen: The President promotes public interests.
• Chief Guardian of the Economy: The President monitors the economy and proposes policies to promote growth and reduce unemployment/manage federal spending.
• War Powers Act: Limits the President's power to send troops into combat without Congress' approval.
• Executive Agreements: International agreements made by the President without Senate approval.
• Executive Privilege: Allows the President to keep some communications private.
• 22nd Amendment: Limits the President to two terms in office.
• 25th Amendment: Outlines presidential succession and procedures if the President becomes unable to serve.
• Executive Order: A directive issued by the President with the force of law, used to manage federal operations.
• Pardon: An official forgiveness for a crime by the President. This removes legal penalties.
• Treaties: Formal agreements between countries, requiring approval by 2/3 of the Senate.
• Ambassador: An official representative of a country working in foreign nations, handling diplomatic relations.
• Cabinet: A group of advisors chosen by the President, assisting in decisions & implementing policies.
• Federal Bureaucracy: Government agencies and departments carrying out laws & policies (includes millions of employees).
• Political Appointees: Chosen by the President to hold key government positions. They typically serve for the duration of the President's term.
• Presidential Requirements: Must be 35 years old, a natural-born US citizen, and a resident of the US for at least 14 years.
• Presidential Election Frequency: Occurs every 4 years, one term = 4 years, term limit is 2 terms.
• Electoral College: System for electing the President, each candidate needs 270 out of 538 total votes to win.
• Vice President: President of the Senate; role is to take over if the President cannot perform their duties.

Test your knowledge of the functions and powers of the Legislative Branch of the United States government. This quiz covers key concepts such as the roles of Congress, the terms of senators, and the President's influence on legislation. Perfect for anyone studying American government.