2.2 US Congress

• The US Congress has a bicameral structure, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• Senators in the US Congress serve 6-year terms.
• The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills.
• The financial power of Congress includes approving the federal budget and setting tax policies.


  True
• Which chamber of Congress has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills?

  House of Representatives
• The House of Representatives provides equal representation for each state.

  False
• What does the legislative power of Congress allow them to do?

  Make laws
• Where is a bill first introduced in the legislative process?

  Senate or House
• How many votes are required in the Senate to end a filibuster and pass a bill?

  60 votes
• The US Congress has a bicameral structure, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• How many members are in the Senate?

  100
• What is the term length for members of the House of Representatives?

  2 years
• Match the chamber of Congress with its characteristics:

  Senate ↔️ 100 members, 2 per state

  House of Representatives ↔️ 435 members, proportional to population
• What does the oversight power of Congress allow them to do?

  Conduct investigations
• Senators serve a term length of 6 years.
• What is the purpose of the bicameral structure of the US Congress?

  Checks and balances
• The financial power of Congress includes approving the federal budget and setting tax policies.


  True
• After introduction, a bill is referred to a committee for review.
• Which committee is responsible for approving federal spending bills?

  Appropriations Committee
• How many senators does each state have?

  Two
• The House of Representatives initiates revenue bills
• Match the congressional responsibility with the correct chamber:

  Approve legislation ↔️ Senate

  Initiate revenue bills ↔️ House of Representatives
• The legislative process highlights the bicameral structure of Congress.


  True
• Revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives
• Match the key committees with their primary responsibilities:

  1️⃣ Appropriations Committee

  2️⃣ Allocates federal funds

  3️⃣ Ways and Means Committee

  4️⃣ Handles tax legislation

  5️⃣ Judiciary Committee

  6️⃣ Oversees the judicial system
• The Congressional Research Service is an example of a support service for Congress.

  True
• What do caseworkers in a congressional office handle?

  Constituent inquiries and requests
• The executive and legislative branches ensure a balance of power through checks and balances
• The oversight power of Congress is a key part of the system of checks and balances
• Each state is represented by two senators in the Senate.


  True
• The number of representatives per state in the House is based on population.

  True
• The bicameral structure of the US Congress provides a system of checks and balances.
• Order the responsibilities of Congress based on their primary powers:

  1️⃣ Legislative: Approves legislation ||| Introduces and passes bills ||| Makes laws

  2️⃣ Financial: Approves federal budget ||| Initiates revenue bills ||| Approves tax policies

  3️⃣ Oversight: Conducts investigations ||| Holds government agencies accountable ||| Ensures government efficiency
• What are two key powers of the Senate?

  Approve treaties, confirm appointments
• The US Congress has three primary powers: legislative, financial, and oversight.
• What does the oversight power of Congress ensure?

  Government accountability
• Steps in the legislative process after a bill passes one chamber

  1️⃣ The bill moves to the other chamber for consideration

  2️⃣ If both chambers pass the same version, the bill is sent to the President

  3️⃣ The President can sign or veto the bill
• Match the committee with its responsibility:

  Ways and Means Committee ↔️ Handles tax legislation in the House

  Judiciary Committee ↔️ Oversees the judicial system

  Foreign Affairs Committee ↔️ Deals with foreign policy and treaties

  Armed Services Committee ↔️ Oversees the military and defense
• What is the term length for a member of the House of Representatives?

  2 years
• The oversight power of Congress ensures government agencies are accountable.


  True