Legislative Branch Test Review Answer Key

1. What is the role of the legislative branch?
   to make laws
2. Where are the powers of the legislative branch found?
   article i of the constitution
3. What are the powers given to Congress in the constitution?
   taxing, make laws, regulate commerce, declare war
4. What compromise called for a bicameral legislature? What’s a bicameral legislature?
   Connecticut (Great) Compromise
   bicameral means 2 houses
5. How is representation in the House of Representatives determined?
   by population
6. Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?
   speaker of the house
7. How long is the term for members of the House of Representatives?
   2 years
8. What are the requirements to run for the House of Representatives?
   25 yr old, citizen 7 yrs, live in state you’ll represent
9. What are power given only to the House of Representatives?
   start all revenue (tax) bills, write articles of impeachment, pick president in electoral college tie
10. What is redistricting? When’s it done?
    redrawing congressional districts after reapportionment; ever 10 yrs
11. What does it mean to reapportion the seats in the House of Representatives?
    reallocate seats in the House to states after census
12. What powers does the speaker of the house have?
    speaks first, calls on others to speak, becomes pres if pres and vp leave office
13. When a bill differs between House and Senate, which group will attempt to reach a compromise between the 2 versions?
    conference committees
14. How is representation in the senate determine?
    equal number per state (2)
15. Who presides over the U.S. Senate?
    vice president
16. How long is the term for members of the senate?
    6 years
17. What is it called when congress in working?
    being in session
18. What are the requirements to run for senate?
    30 yrs old, 9 yrs citizen, live in state you’ll represent
19. What are powers given only to the senate?
    approve treaties, approve appointments, act as jury in impeachment trial, pick vp in electoral college tie
20. What amendment called for the direct election of senators?
    17th amendment
21. Where does most of the work of congress take place?
    in committees
22. What is a joint committee?
    made up of members of House and Senate - deal w/ Library of Congress and other administrative issues
23. What is a select committee?
    created for specific purpose - usually temporary - investigates things like watergate, bp oil spill
24. What’s a census?
    count of the population - done every 10 yrs
25. What is gerrymandering?
    redrawing the congressional district lines to favor one party
26. What is a filibuster?
    unlimited debate in senate “talking the bill to death”
27. What is the franking privilege?
    free mail representatives and senators can send to constituents