Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress - AP Government and Politics
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What are the two chambers of Congress?
What are the two chambers of Congress?
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The House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is bicameral with equal state representation in the Senate and proportional in the House.
The House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is bicameral with equal state representation in the Senate and proportional in the House.
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What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
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6 years. Longer terms provide stability and allow senators to focus on long-term national issues.
6 years. Longer terms provide stability and allow senators to focus on long-term national issues.
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Which body has the power to impeach the President?
Which body has the power to impeach the President?
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The House of Representatives. The House initiates impeachment proceedings as the chamber closer to the people.
The House of Representatives. The House initiates impeachment proceedings as the chamber closer to the people.
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Which chamber of Congress confirms presidential appointments?
Which chamber of Congress confirms presidential appointments?
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The Senate. The Senate provides advice and consent on presidential nominees to federal positions.
The Senate. The Senate provides advice and consent on presidential nominees to federal positions.
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How many Senators are there in the U.S. Senate?
How many Senators are there in the U.S. Senate?
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100 Senators. Each state elects two senators regardless of population size for equal representation.
100 Senators. Each state elects two senators regardless of population size for equal representation.
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How many voting members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?
How many voting members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?
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435 Representatives. The number is fixed by law and seats are apportioned among states by population.
435 Representatives. The number is fixed by law and seats are apportioned among states by population.
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Which article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress?
Which article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress?
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Article I. The legislative article establishes Congress's structure, powers, and limitations.
Article I. The legislative article establishes Congress's structure, powers, and limitations.
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What is the minimum age requirement for a U.S. Senator?
What is the minimum age requirement for a U.S. Senator?
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30 years old. Higher age requirement reflects the Senate's role as the more deliberative chamber.
30 years old. Higher age requirement reflects the Senate's role as the more deliberative chamber.
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What is the minimum age requirement for a U.S. Representative?
What is the minimum age requirement for a U.S. Representative?
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25 years old. Lower age requirement allows younger citizens to serve in the people's house.
25 years old. Lower age requirement allows younger citizens to serve in the people's house.
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What is the role of the Senate Appropriations Committee?
What is the role of the Senate Appropriations Committee?
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To allocate federal spending. Controls how federal tax revenue is distributed to government agencies and programs.
To allocate federal spending. Controls how federal tax revenue is distributed to government agencies and programs.
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What is a caucus in the context of Congress?
What is a caucus in the context of Congress?
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A group of members with shared interests or goals. Informal groups that coordinate policy positions on specific issues.
A group of members with shared interests or goals. Informal groups that coordinate policy positions on specific issues.
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What is the primary responsibility of the House Rules Committee?
What is the primary responsibility of the House Rules Committee?
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To set the terms for debate in the House. Controls the flow of legislation by setting time limits and amendment rules.
To set the terms for debate in the House. Controls the flow of legislation by setting time limits and amendment rules.
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What is the term for redrawing congressional districts?
What is the term for redrawing congressional districts?
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Redistricting. Districts are redrawn every ten years following the census.
Redistricting. Districts are redrawn every ten years following the census.
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Identify the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
Identify the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
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Commerce Clause. Article I grants Congress power to regulate trade between states.
Commerce Clause. Article I grants Congress power to regulate trade between states.
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Which committee is responsible for tax legislation?
Which committee is responsible for tax legislation?
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House Ways and Means Committee. This House committee has exclusive jurisdiction over federal tax policy.
House Ways and Means Committee. This House committee has exclusive jurisdiction over federal tax policy.
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What is a conference committee?
What is a conference committee?
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A committee to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill. Resolves differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill.
A committee to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill. Resolves differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill.
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What is congressional oversight?
What is congressional oversight?
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Monitoring the executive branch and its agencies. Congress monitors executive agencies to ensure proper implementation of laws.
Monitoring the executive branch and its agencies. Congress monitors executive agencies to ensure proper implementation of laws.
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What is the quorum requirement for the House of Representatives?
What is the quorum requirement for the House of Representatives?
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218 members. A majority of members must be present to conduct official House business.
218 members. A majority of members must be present to conduct official House business.
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What is the purpose of a standing committee?
What is the purpose of a standing committee?
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Permanent committee focused on specific policy areas. Standing committees handle ongoing legislative business in specialized subject areas.
Permanent committee focused on specific policy areas. Standing committees handle ongoing legislative business in specialized subject areas.
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Which power allows Congress to declare war?
Which power allows Congress to declare war?
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War Powers. Only Congress can formally declare war under Article I powers.
War Powers. Only Congress can formally declare war under Article I powers.
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Which article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress?
Which article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress?
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Article I. The legislative article establishes Congress's structure, powers, and limitations.
Article I. The legislative article establishes Congress's structure, powers, and limitations.
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Which power allows Congress to declare war?
Which power allows Congress to declare war?
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War Powers. Only Congress can formally declare war under Article I powers.
War Powers. Only Congress can formally declare war under Article I powers.
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What are the two chambers of Congress?
What are the two chambers of Congress?
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The House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is bicameral with equal state representation in the Senate and proportional in the House.
The House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is bicameral with equal state representation in the Senate and proportional in the House.
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What is congressional oversight?
What is congressional oversight?
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Monitoring the executive branch and its agencies. Congress monitors executive agencies to ensure proper implementation of laws.
Monitoring the executive branch and its agencies. Congress monitors executive agencies to ensure proper implementation of laws.
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What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
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Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out powers. The elastic clause expands congressional authority beyond enumerated powers.
Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out powers. The elastic clause expands congressional authority beyond enumerated powers.
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Identify the primary function of Congress.
Identify the primary function of Congress.
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To make laws. Article I grants Congress legislative power as the first branch of government.
To make laws. Article I grants Congress legislative power as the first branch of government.
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What is the term length for a U.S. Representative?
What is the term length for a U.S. Representative?
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2 years. Shorter terms ensure representatives remain responsive to their constituents' immediate concerns.
2 years. Shorter terms ensure representatives remain responsive to their constituents' immediate concerns.
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Which body has the power to impeach the President?
Which body has the power to impeach the President?
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The House of Representatives. The House initiates impeachment proceedings as the chamber closer to the people.
The House of Representatives. The House initiates impeachment proceedings as the chamber closer to the people.
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What is the primary role of congressional committees?
What is the primary role of congressional committees?
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To review and shape bills. Committees provide expertise and detailed examination of proposed legislation.
To review and shape bills. Committees provide expertise and detailed examination of proposed legislation.
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What is a filibuster?
What is a filibuster?
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A prolonged debate to delay legislation. Senate tradition allows unlimited debate to block or delay unwanted legislation.
A prolonged debate to delay legislation. Senate tradition allows unlimited debate to block or delay unwanted legislation.
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