The Legislative Branch: Structure, Powers, and Functions

Question 1

Which House of Representatives committee sets the rules for debates and the order of business?

Accepted Answer

Rules Committee

Answer

Appropriations Committee

Answer

Judiciary Committee

Answer

Ways and Means Committee

Question 2

Which power is granted exclusively to the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government?

Accepted Answer

Regulating interstate commerce

Answer

Appointing Supreme Court Justices

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Establishing lower federal courts

Question 3

Which power is exclusively held by the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

Initiating impeachment proceedings against the President

Answer

Approving international treaties

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Overriding a presidential veto

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Establish a national bank

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Raise revenue

Answer

Regulate commerce

Question 5

Which power is granted exclusively to the Senate under the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Ratifying treaties and confirming presidential appointments

Answer

Initiating impeachment proceedings against the President

Answer

Appropriating funds and raising revenue

Answer

Declaring war and overseeing the military

Question 6

Which power is exclusively granted to the Senate, unlike the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

Confirming presidential appointments

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Impeaching the president

Answer

Originating revenue bills

Question 7

Within the U.S. Congress, which body holds the exclusive authority to approve presidential appointments?

Accepted Answer

Senate

Answer

House of Representatives

Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

President

Question 8

Which power is NOT explicitly granted to Congress in the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Establishing a national healthcare system

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Maintaining armed forces

Answer

Coining money and regulating its value

Question 9

Which power is NOT granted to the U.S. Congress?

Accepted Answer

Establish a national religion

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Regulate interstate commerce

Answer

Impeach the President

Question 10

Which power is NOT explicitly granted to Congress in the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Establish a national bank

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Regulate interstate commerce

Answer

Raise and maintain an army

Question 11

Which power is NOT granted to Congress by Article I of the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Establish a national religion

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Establish a navy

Answer

Create lower federal courts

Question 12

Which power is NOT granted to the U.S. Congress by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Establish a central bank

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Regulate interstate commerce

Answer

Impeach and remove the President

Question 13

Which power is granted exclusively to the House of Representatives under the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Impeaching the President

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Confirming Supreme Court Justices

Question 14

Besides its listed powers, Congress also has implied powers that aren't directly mentioned in the Constitution. Which of these actions is an example of an implied power of Congress?

Accepted Answer

Creating a national bank to manage finances

Answer

Approving treaties with other countries

Answer

Producing money to pay for government activities

Answer

Declaring war on other independent nations

Question 15

What is the primary function of standing committees in the U.S. Congress?

Accepted Answer

Provide specialized knowledge and review legislation in specific policy areas.

Answer

Approve presidential appointments and conduct investigations.

Answer

Initiate all legislation and set the agenda for floor debates.

Answer

Resolve conflicts between the House and Senate, and oversee the executive branch.

Question 16

According to the U.S. Constitution, which action is Congress prohibited from taking?

Accepted Answer

Granting titles of nobility

Answer

Regulating commerce among the states

Answer

Declaring war against other nations

Answer

Coining money and establishing a national bank

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Establish a national religion

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Regulate interstate commerce

Answer

Impeach the President

Question 18

Which action is not explicitly authorized by the U.S. Constitution for Congress to undertake?

Accepted Answer

Granting charters to businesses

Answer

Establishing federal courts

Answer

Regulating commerce between states

Answer

Raising and maintaining military forces

Question 19

According to the U.S. Constitution, which of these actions is NOT within the powers granted to Congress?

Accepted Answer

Establishing an official religion

Answer

Establishing a national bank

Answer

Regulating foreign trade

Answer

Declaring war

Question 20

Which power is NOT granted to the legislative branch of the U.S. government, Congress?

Accepted Answer

Appoint federal judges

Answer

Enact laws

Answer

Approve treaties

Answer

Declare war

Question 21

Under the U.S. Constitution, which branch of government holds the power to command the armed forces?

Accepted Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Judicial Branch

Question 22

Which of these is a key power of the legislative branch of the U.S. government?

Accepted Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Appointing judges to the Supreme Court

Answer

Granting pardons for federal offenses

Answer

Negotiating and signing treaties with foreign nations

Question 23

In the system of checks and balances, Congress has a special power designed to hold the executive branch accountable. What is this power?

Accepted Answer

Impeach the President

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Veto laws

Question 24

Which action is Congress prohibited from doing under the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Establishing a national religion

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Regulating trade between states

Question 25

Within the Legislative Branch, what is the primary purpose of the committee system?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate in-depth review and refinement of proposed legislation

Answer

To ensure equal representation and participation for all members of Congress

Answer

To allow for direct public involvement in the legislative process

Answer

To accelerate the passage of laws and enhance legislative efficiency

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Establish a national bank

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Regulate interstate commerce

Answer

Coin money

Question 27

Which power is NOT granted to Congress under the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Appoint Supreme Court justices

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Regulate commerce

Question 28

Under the U.S. Constitution, which branch of government has the sole power to declare war?

Accepted Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Judicial Branch

Question 29

In the system of checks and balances, which action allows Congress to limit the President's authority?

Accepted Answer

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Answer

The President can veto bills passed by Congress.

Answer

The Supreme Court can declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional.

Answer

The President can appoint Supreme Court justices with the Senate's approval.

Question 30

In the U.S. Congress, what is the main purpose of standing committees?

Accepted Answer

Holding hearings, examining issues, and making recommendations on proposed laws

Answer

Drafting all laws before they are considered by the House or Senate

Answer

Having the power to approve or reject laws without needing approval from the full chamber

Answer

Giving members of Congress the option to not serve on any standing committee

Question 31

Under the U.S. Constitution, which branch of Congress has the sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings?

Accepted Answer

House of Representatives

Answer

Senate

Answer

Supreme Court

Question 32

According to the U.S. Constitution, which power is NOT explicitly granted to Congress?

Accepted Answer

Creating a national education system

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Regulating trade between states

Question 33

How does Congress, as a co-equal branch of government, exercise its power to check the executive branch?

Accepted Answer

By overriding presidential vetoes

Answer

By confirming judicial appointments

Answer

By declaring war

Answer

By creating new government agencies

Question 34

In the House of Representatives, what is the Majority Leader's primary duty?

Accepted Answer

Setting the legislative agenda and managing debates and votes.

Answer

Advocating for the minority party's interests.

Answer

Selecting committee leaders and members.

Question 35

In the U.S. Senate, what is the purpose of cloture and what effect does it have?

Accepted Answer

To limit debate on a measure to 30 hours, ending a filibuster and allowing a vote.

Answer

To allow a Senator to speak indefinitely, preventing a vote on a measure.

Answer

To give the Senate majority leader the power to end debate on a measure alone.

Answer

To ensure equal speaking time for all Senators before a vote is taken.

Question 36

In the U.S. Senate, which action can a Senator take during a floor debate to delay a final vote on a bill?

Accepted Answer

Vote against ending debate (cloture).

Answer

Vote to end debate (cloture).

Answer

Request a private meeting.

Answer

Move to end the session.

Question 37

In the system of checks and balances, how does the President's veto power act as a constraint on the legislative branch's ability to enact laws?

Accepted Answer

The President can use their veto power to force Congress to reconsider and potentially revise proposed legislation before it becomes law.

Answer

The President can use their veto power to permanently reject any law passed by Congress.

Answer

The President can use their veto power to indefinitely delay the implementation of laws passed by Congress.

Answer

The President can use their veto power to solely initiate legislation and set the legislative agenda.

Question 38

In the U.S. legislative process, which final step is required for a bill to become a law?

Accepted Answer

Presidential signature or a two-thirds majority vote override in both legislative chambers

Answer

Approval by a joint House and Senate committee

Answer

Ratification by a majority of state legislatures

Answer

Passage through three consecutive legislative sessions

Question 39

In the U.S. Congress, what is the primary function of subcommittees within the committee system?

Accepted Answer

Conducting in-depth hearings and investigations on specific legislative issues

Answer

Overseeing the implementation of laws and holding government agencies accountable

Answer

Approving or rejecting legislation before it reaches the House or Senate floor

Question 40

In the lawmaking process, which of the following is a key power of Congress?

Accepted Answer

Overriding a presidential veto

Answer

Confirming presidential appointments

Answer

Overturning executive orders

Answer

Initiating impeachment proceedings

Question 41

How does a bill become a law?

Accepted Answer

Introduced in the House, passed by both chambers, signed by the President

Answer

Introduced in the Senate, passed by the Senate, signed by the President

Answer

Introduced in the House, passed by the House, signed by the President

Answer

Introduced in the Senate, passed by both chambers, signed by the President

Question 42

What is a primary difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate?

Accepted Answer

The House has more members than the Senate.

Answer

The Senate can pass laws without the House.

Answer

The Vice President leads both chambers.

Answer

House members have longer terms than Senate members.

Question 43

Which of the following is a primary function of the U.S. legislative branch?

Accepted Answer

To make laws

Answer

To implement laws

Answer

To interpret laws

Answer

To appoint judges

Question 44

The U.S. Congress is composed of two chambers. Which chamber is considered the 'upper house'?

Accepted Answer

Senate

Answer

House of Representatives

Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

Executive Branch

Question 45

The process by which a bill becomes a law involves several steps. Which of the following is the final step in the legislative process?

Accepted Answer

Approval by the President or veto override

Answer

Committee consideration and approval

Answer

Floor debate and vote

Answer

Introduction in either the House or Senate

Question 46

The President has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress. Which of the following actions can override a presidential veto?

Accepted Answer

A two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of Congress

Answer

A simple majority vote in one chamber of Congress

Answer

A majority vote in the Supreme Court

Answer

The President's approval within 10 days

Question 47

The U.S. Congress is often characterized as a 'deliberative body.' What does this term imply?

Accepted Answer

That Congress carefully considers and debates issues before making decisions

Answer

That Congress operates in a secretive and exclusive manner

Answer

That Congress is primarily concerned with partisan politics

Answer

That Congress lacks the authority to make laws

Question 48

How does gerrymandering weaken the principle of 'one person, one vote' and affect the fairness of representation?

Accepted Answer

It groups voters of a specific political party into a few districts, limiting their influence in other areas.

Answer

It ensures that each citizen's vote has the same impact on election outcomes.

Answer

It guarantees that the party with the most votes will always control the legislature.

Question 49

What is the primary significance of the budget process in the U.S. Congress?

Accepted Answer

Setting economic policies

Answer

Approving presidential appointments

Answer

Ratifying international agreements

Answer

Starting impeachment procedures

Question 50

Which mechanisms does Congress primarily use to gather information, conduct investigations, and hold hearings on issues of national significance?

Accepted Answer

Committees and Subcommittees

Answer

Task Forces

Answer

Caucuses

Answer

Special Prosecutors

Question 51

Which type of bill, after being approved by Congress and signed by the President, becomes a permanent part of the U.S. Code?

Accepted Answer

Public Law

Answer

Simple Resolution

Answer

Concurrent Resolution

Answer

Joint Resolution

Question 52

How does party affiliation influence the legislative process in Congress?

Accepted Answer

It restricts the range of policy options and prioritizes party goals over broader interests.

Answer

It encourages collaboration and consensus among lawmakers.

Answer

It increases efficiency by simplifying the legislative process and minimizing delays.

Question 53

How do public opinion and interest groups affect the legislative agenda and decision-making in the U.S. Congress?

Accepted Answer

Public opinion and interest groups can influence the legislative agenda and decision-making in Congress.

Answer

Public opinion is ignored by Congress.

Answer

Interest groups only represent the interests of wealthy and powerful people.

Answer

Public opinion and interest groups have no impact on the legislative process.

Question 54

Which of the following is a fundamental function of the legislative branch of government?

Accepted Answer

Creating and passing laws

Answer

Enforcing laws

Answer

Interpreting the Constitution

Answer

Prosecuting criminals

Question 55

The United States Congress has a bicameral structure, meaning that it consists of:

Accepted Answer

The House of Representatives and the Senate

Answer

The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals

Answer

The Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch

Answer

The House of Representatives and the Electoral College

Question 56

Which chamber of Congress is known as the 'lower house' and has more members?

Accepted Answer

House of Representatives

Answer

Senate

Question 57

In the United States, overriding a presidential veto requires a:

Accepted Answer

Two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate

Answer

Simple majority vote in both the House and Senate

Answer

Unanimous vote in the House of Representatives

Answer

Majority vote in the Senate only

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT a power specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Appointing all federal judges

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Ratifying treaties

Answer

Establishing the federal court system

Question 59

The typical process by which a bill becomes a law includes the following steps in order:

Accepted Answer

Introduction, committee review, floor debate, presidential signature

Answer

Committee review, floor debate, presidential signature, introduction

Answer

Floor debate, presidential signature, committee review, introduction

Answer

Introduction, floor debate, presidential signature, committee review

Question 60

Which congressional committee is primarily responsible for drafting and overseeing tax legislation?

Accepted Answer

Finance Committee

Answer

Appropriations Committee

Answer

Budget Committee

Answer

Judiciary Committee

Question 61

The power to initiate the process of removing a president from office belongs to the:

Accepted Answer

House of Representatives

Answer

Senate

Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

Electoral College

Question 62

The principle of bicameralism in the legislative branch serves to:

Accepted Answer

Provide a system of checks and balances between different perspectives

Answer

Increase efficiency in passing legislation

Answer

Slow down the lawmaking process for more deliberation

Answer

Reduce the power of the majority party in government

Question 63

What is the primary role of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in the legislative process?

Accepted Answer

Providing nonpartisan budget and economic projections to Congress

Answer

Collaborating with the President on the federal budget proposal

Answer

Enforcing budget-related legislation

Answer

Advocating for specific policy positions

Question 64

In the U.S. government, which branch has the exclusive authority to initiate the impeachment process against the President?

Accepted Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial