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The primary function of the United States Congress is to serve as the executive branch, responsible for enforcing federal laws.
Answer: False
Explanation: The U.S. Congress is constitutionally established as the legislative branch, primarily responsible for creating laws, not enforcing them as the executive branch does.
The U.S. Congress is a unicameral legislature, consisting of a single chamber.
Answer: False
Explanation: The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature, meaning it is composed of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The United States Congress has a total of 535 voting members, with 100 senators and 435 representatives.
Answer: True
Explanation: The U.S. Congress indeed has 535 voting members, comprising 100 senators and 435 representatives, with the number of representatives fixed by the Reapportionment Act of 1929.
All members of Congress, including those filling Senate vacancies, are chosen exclusively through direct election by the people.
Answer: False
Explanation: While members of Congress are primarily chosen by direct election, Senate vacancies can be filled by a governor's appointment, providing an exception to direct election.
The House of Representatives consists solely of voting members, with no non-voting representatives.
Answer: False
Explanation: The House of Representatives includes six non-voting members who represent U.S. citizens in non-state areas such as territories and the District of Columbia.
The Vice President of the United States regularly votes in the Senate on all legislative matters.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate but only casts a vote in the event of a tie, not regularly on all legislative matters.
A term of Congress lasts for four years and begins every other January.
Answer: False
Explanation: A term of Congress lasts for two years, not four, and begins at noon on the third day of January of every odd-numbered year, as stipulated by the Twentieth Amendment.
Senators are elected for two-year terms, while members of the House of Representatives serve six-year terms.
Answer: False
Explanation: The statement reverses the actual term lengths: members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms, and senators serve six-year terms.
The number of representatives in the House is fixed at 435 by the Reapportionment Act of 1929, and districts are allocated by population every decade.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Reapportionment Act of 1929 indeed fixed the number of representatives at 435, and these districts are apportioned among states by population every ten years following the U.S. census.
A candidate for the Senate must be at least 25 years old and a U.S. citizen for seven years.
Answer: False
Explanation: To serve in the Senate, a candidate must be at least 30 years old and a U.S. citizen for nine years, not 25 and seven years, respectively.
Members of the House of Representatives are limited to a maximum of three terms, while senators can serve indefinitely.
Answer: False
Explanation: There are no constitutional term limits for members of either the House of Representatives or the Senate; both can seek re-election an unlimited number of times.
Article Two of the U.S. Constitution grants legislative powers to the U.S. Congress.
Answer: False
Explanation: Article One, not Article Two, of the U.S. Constitution vests all legislative powers in the Congress of the United States.
Congress is directly responsible for governing all U.S. territories, but not the District of Columbia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Congress is directly responsible for governing the District of Columbia, which is the seat of the federal government and not part of any state.
The principle of federalism was established to ensure each branch of government had a separate sphere of authority and could check other branches.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement describes the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances, which divides governmental authority among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Federalism, in contrast, refers to the division of power between the national government and state governments.
What is the fundamental role of the United States Congress within the federal government?
Answer: To create laws for the nation as the legislative branch.
Explanation: The U.S. Congress is constitutionally designated as the legislative branch, with the fundamental role of creating laws for the nation, as outlined in Article One of the Constitution.
Which of the following accurately describes the structure of the U.S. Congress?
Answer: It is a bicameral legislature composed of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
Explanation: The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature, meaning it is composed of two distinct chambers: the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
What is the primary method for selecting members of Congress, and what is an exception for Senate vacancies?
Answer: Members are primarily chosen by direct election, but Senate vacancies can be filled by a governor's appointment.
Explanation: Members of Congress are primarily chosen through direct popular election; however, a notable exception allows for Senate vacancies to be filled by a governor's appointment.
How many non-voting members does the U.S. House of Representatives have, and whom do they represent?
Answer: 6, representing U.S. citizens in non-state areas like territories and the District of Columbia.
Explanation: The U.S. House of Representatives includes six non-voting members who represent citizens in non-state areas, such as U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
According to the Twentieth Amendment, when does a two-year term of Congress typically begin and end?
Answer: At noon on the third day of January of every odd-numbered year.
Explanation: As per the Twentieth Amendment, a two-year term of Congress typically begins and ends at noon on the third day of January of every odd-numbered year.
What act established the fixed number of representatives in the House, and how are congressional districts allocated among states?
Answer: The Reapportionment Act of 1929, apportioned by population every ten years using the U.S. census.
Explanation: The Reapportionment Act of 1929 established the fixed number of 435 representatives in the House, with congressional districts apportioned among states by population every ten years based on the U.S. census.
What are the constitutional requirements for a person to serve in the U.S. Senate?
Answer: At least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for nine years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.
Explanation: To serve in the U.S. Senate, a person must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for nine years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.
Which article of the United States Constitution vests all legislative powers in a Congress consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives?
Answer: Article I
Explanation: Article One of the United States Constitution explicitly vests all legislative powers in a Congress, which is composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
The U.S. Congress was established in 1776, replacing the Continental Congress.
Answer: False
Explanation: The U.S. Congress was established in 1789, replacing the Congress of the Confederation, not the Continental Congress in 1776.
The Congress of the Confederation was a bicameral body with strong legislative authority, including the power to collect taxes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Congress of the Confederation was a unicameral body with limited legislative authority, notably lacking the power to collect taxes or regulate commerce, which were significant weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
The Articles of Confederation were deemed weak primarily due to the government's inability to collect taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.
Answer: True
Explanation: The inability of the government under the Articles of Confederation to collect taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws were indeed primary reasons for its perceived weakness and the call for a new constitution.
The Connecticut Compromise established a unicameral Congress where representation was solely based on state population.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Connecticut Compromise established a bicameral Congress, with representation in the House based on population and equal representation of two senators per state, not a unicameral body solely based on population.
Alexander Hamilton and John Adams were key figures in forming the Anti-Administration Party.
Answer: False
Explanation: James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were the key figures in forming the Anti-Administration Party, which opposed Alexander Hamilton's policies and later became the Democratic-Republican Party.
Chief Justice John Marshall empowered the Supreme Court by establishing the principle of executive privilege in *Marbury v. Madison*.
Answer: False
Explanation: Chief Justice John Marshall empowered the Supreme Court by establishing the principle of judicial review in *Marbury v. Madison*, allowing the judiciary to nullify unconstitutional laws, not executive privilege.
The Sixteenth Amendment enabled the direct popular election of senators in the early 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Seventeenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, enabled the direct popular election of senators, replacing the previous system where state legislatures chose them.
President Franklin Roosevelt's election in 1932 led to a significant increase in congressional power relative to the executive branch.
Answer: False
Explanation: President Franklin Roosevelt's election in 1932 led to a significant shift of government power towards the executive branch, with many New Deal initiatives originating from the White House.
When did the U.S. Congress first meet, and what legislative body did it replace?
Answer: 1789, replacing the Congress of the Confederation.
Explanation: The U.S. Congress first met in 1789, replacing the Congress of the Confederation, which operated under the Articles of Confederation.
Which of the following accurately describes a characteristic of the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation?
Answer: It was a unicameral body with equal state representation, lacking power to collect taxes.
Explanation: The Congress of the Confederation was a unicameral body with equal state representation, and it notably lacked the power to collect taxes, which was a significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation.
How did the Connecticut Compromise resolve the debate over state representation during the Convention of 1787?
Answer: It established a bicameral Congress with representatives chosen by population and two senators per state.
Explanation: The Connecticut Compromise resolved the debate by establishing a bicameral Congress, with representation in the House based on population and equal representation of two senators per state, balancing the interests of both large and small states.
Who were the key figures in forming the Anti-Administration Party, which later evolved into the Democratic-Republican Party?
Answer: James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.
Explanation: James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were the key figures in the formation of the Anti-Administration Party, which subsequently evolved into the Democratic-Republican Party.
What was a notable characteristic of Congress during the Gilded Age (1877–1901)?
Answer: Republican dominance and an intensification of lobbying activity.
Explanation: During the Gilded Age, Congress was notably characterized by Republican dominance and a significant intensification of lobbying activity, particularly concerning issues like railroad subsidies and tariffs.
How did Supreme Court decisions based on the Commerce Clause, such as *McCulloch v. Maryland*, affect congressional power?
Answer: They broadly interpreted the Commerce Clause, expanding Congress's legislative authority over the economy.
Explanation: Supreme Court decisions, including *McCulloch v. Maryland*, broadly interpreted the Commerce Clause, thereby significantly expanding Congress's legislative authority to regulate the national economy.
What was a significant impact of President Franklin Roosevelt's election in 1932 on the balance of power in the U.S. government?
Answer: It marked a significant shift of government power towards the executive branch.
Explanation: President Franklin Roosevelt's election in 1932 marked a significant shift of governmental power towards the executive branch, with many New Deal initiatives originating from the White House rather than Congress.
What was a significant outcome of the Watergate Scandal regarding the relationship between the executive and legislative branches?
Answer: It led to Congress reasserting its authority and investigating presidential wrongdoing.
Explanation: The Watergate Scandal significantly reshaped relations between the executive and legislative branches, leading to Congress reasserting its authority by investigating presidential wrongdoing and cover-ups.
What was the primary effect of the Supreme Court's decision in *Marbury v. Madison* (1803) on congressional power?
Answer: It established judicial review, allowing the judiciary to nullify laws passed by Congress.
Explanation: The Supreme Court's decision in *Marbury v. Madison* (1803) established judicial review, granting the judiciary the power to declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional, thereby limiting congressional power.
The House and Senate are considered equal partners in the legislative process because both must consent for legislation to be enacted.
Answer: True
Explanation: Legislation requires the consent of both the House and the Senate to be enacted, establishing them as equal partners in the legislative process and ensuring a system of checks and balances within the legislative branch.
The House of Representatives has the unique power to ratify treaties and approve presidential appointments.
Answer: False
Explanation: These powers belong uniquely to the Senate, which ratifies treaties and approves presidential appointments. The House of Representatives uniquely initiates revenue bills and impeachment proceedings.
The House of Representatives uniquely initiates revenue-raising bills and has the power to initiate impeachment proceedings.
Answer: True
Explanation: The House of Representatives indeed holds the unique constitutional authority to initiate revenue-raising bills and to commence impeachment proceedings against federal officers.
A simple majority vote in the Senate is sufficient to remove an impeached person from office.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Senate requires a two-thirds majority vote for the conviction and removal of an impeached federal officer, not a simple majority.
Congress has vast authority over financial and budgetary policy, including the exclusive power to appropriate funds.
Answer: True
Explanation: Congress possesses extensive authority over financial and budgetary policy, including the exclusive constitutional power to appropriate funds, commonly known as the 'power of the purse'.
Congress has the exclusive power to declare war and to raise and maintain the armed forces.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Constitution grants Congress the exclusive power to declare war and to raise and maintain the armed forces, ensuring civilian control over the military.
One of Congress's foremost non-legislative functions is the power to investigate and oversee the executive branch.
Answer: True
Explanation: Investigating and overseeing the executive branch is indeed one of Congress's foremost non-legislative functions, crucial for ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations.
Congressional oversight is usually delegated to specialized committees and is facilitated by Congress's subpoena power.
Answer: True
Explanation: Congressional oversight is typically conducted by specialized committees and is effectively supported by Congress's subpoena power, which allows for the gathering of information and compelling of testimony.
The Senate confirms Cabinet officials and judges, and treaties must be ratified by a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Senate plays a critical role in confirming presidential appointments, including Cabinet officials and judges, and requires a two-thirds majority vote to ratify treaties, acting as a significant check on executive power.
Congressional investigations are conducted to gather information for future legislation and assess the effectiveness of existing laws.
Answer: True
Explanation: Congressional investigations serve multiple purposes, including gathering information for potential future legislation, evaluating the effectiveness of current laws, and inquiring into the performance of government officials.
Which of the following are unique powers possessed by the U.S. Senate?
Answer: Ratifying treaties and approving presidential appointments.
Explanation: The U.S. Senate holds unique powers, including the authority to ratify treaties and to approve presidential appointments, distinguishing its role from that of the House of Representatives.
What vote is required in the Senate for the conviction and removal of an impeached federal officer?
Answer: A two-thirds majority vote.
Explanation: For the conviction and removal of an impeached federal officer, a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is constitutionally required.
What does the 'power of the purse' refer to, and why is it significant for Congress?
Answer: Congress's exclusive constitutional authority to appropriate funds, checking the executive branch.
Explanation: The 'power of the purse' refers to Congress's exclusive constitutional authority to appropriate funds, serving as a primary check on the executive branch by controlling government spending and influencing policy.
Which of the following is considered one of Congress's foremost non-legislative functions?
Answer: Investigating and overseeing the executive branch.
Explanation: Investigating and overseeing the executive branch is a foremost non-legislative function of Congress, ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations.
How is the 'power of removal' exercised by Congress against executive or judicial officials?
Answer: The House impeaches, and the Senate tries the impeachment, requiring a two-thirds majority for removal.
Explanation: The 'power of removal' is exercised through impeachment, where the House of Representatives impeaches officials, and the Senate then tries the impeachment, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for conviction and removal from office.
The Library of Congress is solely responsible for maintaining the historical records of both the House and Senate.
Answer: False
Explanation: The historical records of the House and Senate are maintained by the Center for Legislative Archives, a part of the National Archives and Records Administration, while the Library of Congress provides research and information resources.
The main outcome of congressional activity is the creation of laws, most of which are contained in the United States Code, arranged alphabetically by subject.
Answer: True
Explanation: The primary outcome of congressional activity is the enactment of laws, which are systematically organized and codified in the United States Code, arranged alphabetically by subject matter.
Congress manages the task of writing national legislation by dividing work into separate committees specializing in different subject areas.
Answer: True
Explanation: To effectively manage the complex task of writing national legislation, Congress utilizes a committee system where specialized committees focus on distinct subject areas, allowing members to develop expertise and streamline the legislative process.
Which entity is responsible for maintaining the historical records of the House of Representatives and the Senate?
Answer: The Center for Legislative Archives, part of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Explanation: The Center for Legislative Archives, a component of the National Archives and Records Administration, is responsible for maintaining the historical records of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
What is the main outcome of congressional activity, and how is it primarily organized?
Answer: Laws, contained in the United States Code and arranged alphabetically by subject matter.
Explanation: The main outcome of congressional activity is the creation of laws, which are primarily organized and contained in the United States Code, arranged alphabetically by subject matter.
What is the primary purpose of the committee structure in Congress?
Answer: To permit members to study particular subjects intensely and develop expertise.
Explanation: The primary purpose of the committee structure in Congress is to enable members to study particular subjects intensely, develop specialized expertise, and efficiently manage the vast scope of national legislation.
What is a primary mission of the Library of Congress regarding its relationship with the U.S. Congress?
Answer: To serve Congress and its staff by providing extensive research and information resources.
Explanation: A primary mission of the Library of Congress is to serve the U.S. Congress and its staff by providing extensive research and information resources, acting as the world's largest library.
What is the primary purpose of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)?
Answer: To provide independent, non-partisan economic data to Congress for budgeting and legislative cost analysis.
Explanation: The primary purpose of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is to provide independent, non-partisan economic data to Congress, assisting with budgeting, projecting national debt, and analyzing the costs of proposed legislation.
Which of the following is an occasion that necessitates a joint session of the United States Congress?
Answer: Counting electoral votes after a presidential election.
Explanation: A joint session of the United States Congress is necessitated on special occasions, such as counting electoral votes after a presidential election or when the President delivers the State of the Union address.
What is the immediate step after a bill is introduced in the House of Representatives by placing it in the 'hopper'?
Answer: It is assigned a number and referred to a committee for study.
Explanation: After a bill is introduced in the House of Representatives by placing it in the 'hopper,' the immediate next step is for it to be assigned a number and referred to a committee for detailed study and review.
What parliamentary privilege do members of Congress enjoy regarding arrest?
Answer: Freedom from arrest in all cases except for treason, felony, and breach of the peace.
Explanation: Members of Congress enjoy parliamentary privilege that grants them freedom from arrest in all cases except for treason, felony, and breach of the peace, particularly during sessions and when traveling to and from them.
What is 'contempt of Congress,' and what are its potential consequences?
Answer: A crime under federal law involving obstructing Congress's work, potentially leading to imprisonment.
Explanation: 'Contempt of Congress' is a federal crime involving the obstruction of congressional work, which can lead to judicial prosecution and, if convicted, potential imprisonment for up to one year.
Since the late 19th century, members of Congress are predominantly affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican Party.
Answer: True
Explanation: Since the late 19th century, the vast majority of members of Congress have been affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican Party, with third-party or independent affiliations being rare.
Congress serves the distinct purposes of local representation by representatives and state-at-large representation by senators.
Answer: True
Explanation: The U.S. Congress is designed to serve both local representation through the House of Representatives and state-at-large representation through the Senate, fulfilling distinct but overlapping purposes.
The second-wave feminism movement and organizations like EMILY's List significantly contributed to women's progress in Congress in the later 20th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The second-wave feminism movement and organizations such as EMILY's List played a crucial role in recruiting, training, and funding women candidates, significantly contributing to their progress in Congress during the later 20th century.
What was the most common pathway for white women to enter Congress in the early 20th century?
Answer: Through 'widow's succession,' taking over a seat vacated by her husband's death.
Explanation: In the early 20th century, the most common pathway for white women to enter Congress was through 'widow's succession,' where they temporarily filled a seat vacated by their deceased husbands.
Who was the first female to become President of the Senate, and in what year did she assume this role?
Answer: Kamala Harris, 2021.
Explanation: Kamala Harris became the first female President of the Senate in 2021, a role she assumed as the first female Vice President of the United States.
How does bipartisanship differ from partisanship in the context of Congress?
Answer: Bipartisanship is constructive cooperation and compromise, while partisanship is deep political polarization and infighting.
Explanation: Bipartisanship in Congress refers to constructive cooperation and compromise between political parties, whereas partisanship describes periods of deep political polarization and intense infighting.
Scholar Lee H. Hamilton described Congress as a 'remarkably fragile institution' whose historic mission was primarily economic regulation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Lee H. Hamilton described Congress as a 'remarkably resilient institution' whose historic mission has been to 'maintain freedom,' not primarily economic regulation.
What event significantly contributed to the plummeting public approval of Congress to 5% in October 2013?
Answer: A government shutdown caused by Congress's inability to compromise on budget issues.
Explanation: The government shutdown in October 2013, caused by Congress's inability to compromise on budget issues, significantly contributed to public approval of Congress plummeting to 5%.
When was the U.S. Congress last forcefully occupied prior to the January 6, 2021, attack?
Answer: During the War of 1812, by the British.
Explanation: Prior to the January 6, 2021, attack, the U.S. Congress was last forcefully occupied during the War of 1812, when the British burned Washington, D.C.