2.1

Question 1

What are the three formal requirements to be a Senator?

Answer 1

30 years old, 9 years a citizen, reside in the state you represent

These requirements are outlined in the Constitution.

Question 2

What is the Senate’s power of ‘advice & consent’?

Answer 2

The Senate has the authority to confirm or reject presidential nominations

This includes positions such as federal judges and U.S. Ambassadors.

Question 3

Who conducts confirmation hearings for presidential nominees in the Senate?

Answer 3

The Senate Judiciary Committee

This committee asks the nominee questions and votes to recommend confirmation.

Question 4

What happens if there is a tie in the Senate?

Answer 4

The Vice President casts the deciding vote

The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate.

Question 5

What majority is required for the Senate to confirm presidential nominations?

Answer 5

A majority vote

This applies to nominations for federal judges and other key positions.

Question 6

What role does the Senate play in impeachment trials?

Answer 6

Senators act as the jury and try impeachments

A 2/3 vote in the Senate is required to convict and remove an official.

Question 7

What is required to ratify a treaty made by the President?

Answer 7

A 2/3 majority in the Senate

This ensures that treaties have broad support before being ratified.

Question 8

What is a filibuster?

Answer 8

A Senate tradition of unlimited debate to delay or prevent a vote

It is often used by the minority party to block legislation.

Question 9

How can a filibuster be ended?

Answer 9

By a vote for cloture from 3/5 or 60 Senators

Cloture limits further debate on the issue at hand.

Question 10

What are the three formal requirements to be a member of the House of Representatives?

Answer 10

25 years old, 7 years a citizen, reside in the state you represent

These requirements are also outlined in the Constitution.

Question 11

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

Answer 11

435 members

Membership is reapportioned every 10 years based on the census.

Question 12

What is the largest source of federal revenue?

Answer 12

The income tax

This is established under the 16th Amendment.

Question 13

Which committee in the House of Representatives must initiate bills raising revenue?

Answer 13

The House Ways & Means Committee

This committee is specifically responsible for tax-related legislation.

Question 14

What power does the House of Representatives have regarding impeachment?

Answer 14

The House has the power to impeach members of the Executive and Judicial Branch

This is the first step in the impeachment process.

Question 15

What is the most powerful committee in the House?

Answer 15

The Rules Committee

This committee controls the calendar and decides when bills will be debated.

Question 16

What controls the amount of time bills will be debated and the rules attached to them?

Answer 16

The Rules committee controls the amount of time bills will be debated and the rules attached to them

This includes whether bills can have amendments or changes added while on the floor.

Question 17

Who maintains and controls limited debate in the House?

Answer 17

The Rules committee maintains and controls limited debate in the House

Limited debate means that not everyone can talk every time due to the number of members.

Question 18

Which party controls the Rules Committee and why?

Answer 18

The majority party controls the Rules Committee because the Speaker of the House assigns House members to the committees

This guarantees the majority party controls all committees.

Question 19

Does the House of Representatives allow filibusters?

Answer 19

No, the House has limited debate and does not allow filibusters.

Question 20

What type of power does the Speaker of the House have in the House of Representatives?

Answer 20

The Speaker of the House has more centralized power in the House.

Question 21

What principle is reflected in the bicameral structure of Congress?

Answer 21

Republicanism is reflected in the bicameral structure of Congress.

Question 22

How is the Senate designed to represent states?

Answer 22

The Senate is designed to represent states equally.

Question 23

How is the House of Representatives designed to represent the populace?

Answer 23

The House is designed to represent the people.

Question 24

What are the enumerated powers of Congress?

Answer 24

Enumerated powers are written in the Constitution.

Question 25

What are implied powers of Congress derived from?

Answer 25

Implied powers are derived from the Necessary & Proper Clause (Elastic Clause).

Question 26

What are some functions Congress can perform with its powers?

Answer 26

Congress can:
* Pass a federal budget
* Raise revenue by laying and collecting taxes
* Borrow money
* Coin money
* Declare war
* Provide funds for the armed forces
* Determine naturalization processes
* Regulate interstate commerce
* Create federal courts and their jurisdictions
* Enact legislation under the necessary and proper clause
* Conduct oversight of the executive branch.