US Congress

Question 1

What are the 4 concurrent powers of Congress?

Answer 1

1 - Confirming a new vice-president
2 - Passing legislation
3 - Declaring war
4 - Constitutional amendments

Question 2

What fraction of both Houses must agree to a constitutional amendment?

Answer 2

Two-thirds

Question 3

Do both Houses have equal power in terms of passing legislation?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

What are the 3 exclusive powers of HoR?

Answer 4

1 - Initiate money bills
2 - Sole power to bring cases of impeachment
3 - Elect president if the Electoral College is deadlocked

Question 5

Give an example when the House initiated a case of impeachment

Answer 5

Bill Clinton in 1998 for charges of ‘perjury’ and ‘obstruction of justice’

Question 6

When have the HoR had to choose the president?

Answer 6

1800 and 1824 elections

Question 7

What are the 4 exclusive powers of the Senate?

Answer 7

1 - Confirm presidential appointments
2 - Ratify treaties
3 - Try cases of impeachment
4 - Elect vice-president if the Electoral College is deadlocked

Question 8

Give examples of presidential appointments that the Senate have to confirm

Answer 8

1 - Judicial nominees
2 - Cabinet members
3 - Ambassadors

Question 9

What fraction of Senators need to vote to ratify a treaty?

Answer 9

Two-thirds (67 Senators)

Question 10

When have the Senate had to choose the vice president?

Answer 10

1800 and 1824 elections

Question 11

What fraction of Senators is required to convict and remove a president?

Answer 11

Two-thirds - The Senate acquitted Bill Clinton of both charges in 1998

Question 12

How often are Representatives elected? How does this impact their time in office?

Answer 12

Elected every 2 years
Must pay attention to constituents otherwise they may be unelected at the next election - spend a lot of time campaigning

Question 13

What are the reasons for high incumbency re-election rates?

Answer 13

1 - Name recognition 
2 - Legislative record allowing incumbent to demonstrate the gains achieved for the constituency 
3 - Congressional franking privileges 
4 - Gerrymandering 
5 - House or Senate dedicated website

Question 14

What factors affect voting in Congress?

Answer 14

1 - Party and partisanship
2 - Congressional caucuses
3 - Pressure groups and lobbyists
4 - Constituency

Question 15

What are the strengths of the legislative process?

Answer 15

1 - High level of scrutiny
2 - Protects states’ rights
3 - Prevents a tyranny of the majority

Question 16

What are the weaknesses of the legislative process?

Answer 16

1 - With unanimous consent in the Senate, bipartisanship is required
2 - Slow
3 - Lack of bipartisanship leads to gridlock
4 - Congressional politicians often choose to focus of re-election over legislation

Question 17

What oversight powers does Congress have?

Answer 17

1 - Investigation of actions of the executive branch
2 - Ratification of treaties
3 - Ratification of federal justices and other appointments
4 - Declaring war
5 - Determining the funding available and agreeing on the budget for the president
6 - Impeachment and removal of members of executive branch