Congress: Structure, Functions, and Legislative Process MCQs USA

1. Which two chambers make up the U.S. Congress? a) House of Representatives and Supreme Court b) Senate and Supreme Court c) House of Representatives and Senate d) Senate and Cabinet Answer: c) House of Representatives and Senate 2. What is the primary function of Congress? a) Enforce laws b) Interpret laws c) Make laws d) Review laws Answer: c) Make laws 3. How many members are in the House of Representatives? a) 100 b) 435 c) 50 d) 250 Answer: b) 435 4. What is the term length for a U.S. Senator? a) 2 years b) 4 years c) 6 years d) 8 years Answer: c) 6 years 5. Which body of Congress has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills? a) Senate b) House of Representatives c) Both chambers equally d) The President Answer: b) House of Representatives 6. Who presides over the Senate in the Vice President’s absence? a) The Speaker of the House b) The Senate Majority Leader c) The President pro tempore d) The Chief Justice Answer: c) The President pro tempore 7. Which chamber of Congress has the power to confirm presidential appointments? a) House of Representatives b) Senate c) Both chambers d) The Supreme Court Answer: b) Senate 8. What is the minimum age requirement for a U.S. Senator? a) 25 years b) 30 years c) 35 years d) 40 years Answer: b) 30 years 9. How many members are there in the U.S. Senate? a) 100 b) 200 c) 50 d) 435 Answer: a) 100 10. Which chamber of Congress has the power to impeach federal officials? a) Senate b) House of Representatives c) Both chambers equally d) The Supreme Court Answer: b) House of Representatives 11. What is the term length for a member of the House of Representatives? a) 2 years b) 4 years c) 6 years d) 8 years Answer: a) 2 years 12. Which chamber conducts the trial for impeached federal officials? a) House of Representatives b) Senate c) Supreme Court d) Cabinet Answer: b) Senate 13. Who is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives? a) The President pro tempore b) The Senate Majority Leader c) The Speaker of the House d) The Chief Justice Answer: c) The Speaker of the House 14. What is required for a bill to become law after passing both chambers of Congress? a) A presidential veto b) A joint resolution c) Presidential approval d) A Supreme Court ruling Answer: c) Presidential approval 15. Which committee is responsible for drafting and reviewing bills in the House of Representatives? a) Appropriations Committee b) Judiciary Committee c) Rules Committee d) Ways and Means Committee Answer: d) Ways and Means Committee 16. How many Senators does each state have? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) Varies by population Answer: b) 2 17. What is the primary function of a conference committee? a) To draft new bills b) To resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill c) To confirm presidential appointments d) To impeach federal officials Answer: b) To resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill 18. Which power allows Congress to override a presidential veto? a) Simple majority vote b) Two-thirds majority vote c) Unanimous consent d) Majority vote in the Senate Answer: b) Two-thirds majority vote 19. Which chamber of Congress has the power to ratify treaties? a) House of Representatives b) Senate c) Both chambers equally d) The Supreme Court Answer: b) Senate 20. Which committee in the Senate is responsible for considering presidential nominations? a) Finance Committee b) Judiciary Committee c) Foreign Relations Committee d) Appropriations Committee Answer: b) Judiciary Committee 21. What role does the Speaker of the House play in the legislative process? a) Presides over Senate sessions b) Appoints committee members c) Decides which bills are brought to the floor for debate d) Signs bills into law Answer: c) Decides which bills are brought to the floor for debate 22. Which clause in the Constitution grants Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties? a) Supremacy Clause b) Commerce Clause c) Elastic Clause d) Establishment Clause Answer: c) Elastic Clause 23. Which type of committee is established to address specific issues and is temporary in nature? a) Standing Committee b) Select Committee c) Joint Committee d) Conference Committee Answer: b) Select Committee 24. What is the purpose of a filibuster in the Senate? a) To propose new legislation b) To delay or prevent a vote on a bill c) To confirm presidential nominees d) To draft budget proposals Answer: b) To delay or prevent a vote on a bill 25. Which constitutional amendment established direct election of Senators by the people? a) 17th Amendment b) 19th Amendment c) 22nd Amendment d) 25th Amendment Answer: a) 17th Amendment 26. Who can introduce a bill in the House of Representatives? a) Only the Speaker of the House b) Any member of Congress c) The President d) The Senate Majority Leader Answer: b) Any member of Congress 27. What is the role of the Rules Committee in the House of Representatives? a) To draft bills and resolutions b) To determine the rules for debate on bills c) To confirm federal appointments d) To oversee military actions Answer: b) To determine the rules for debate on bills 28. Which chamber of Congress has the power to propose constitutional amendments? a) House of Representatives b) Senate c) Both chambers equally d) The Supreme Court Answer: c) Both chambers equally 29. What is the function of a “markup” session in a Congressional committee? a) To draft new bills b) To debate and amend bills c) To confirm presidential nominees d) To vote on appropriations bills Answer: b) To debate and amend bills 30. Which leader in the Senate is responsible for setting the legislative agenda? a) Majority Leader b) Minority Leader c) Speaker of the House d) President pro tempore Answer: a) Majority Leader 31. What does the term “pork-barrel spending” refer to? a) Spending on national defense b) Funding for specific projects in a member’s district c) Funding for interstate highways d) Funding for foreign aid Answer: b) Funding for specific projects in a member’s district 32. Which Congressional committee is responsible for drafting the federal budget? a) Appropriations Committee b) Budget Committee c) Ways and Means Committee d) Finance Committee Answer: b) Budget Committee 33. What is the purpose of the Congressional Research Service (CRS)? a) To conduct investigations into Congressional misconduct b) To provide research and analysis to members of Congress c) To draft legislation for Congress d) To oversee Congressional elections Answer: b) To provide research and analysis to members of Congress 34. Which chamber of Congress must approve all treaties negotiated by the President? a) House of Representatives b) Senate c) Both chambers equally d) The Supreme Court Answer: b) Senate 35. Which legislative process allows Congress to bypass a Presidential veto? a) Executive order b) Override vote c) Filibuster d) Pocket veto Answer: b) Override vote 36. What is the role of a Congressional “whip”? a) To draft new legislation b) To ensure party discipline and gather votes c) To preside over House sessions d) To lead filibusters Answer: b) To ensure party discipline and gather votes 37. Which committee is responsible for conducting investigations and oversight of federal agencies? a) Appropriations Committee b) Judiciary Committee c) Oversight and Reform Committee d) Armed Services Committee Answer: c) Oversight and Reform Committee 38. What does the term “earmark” refer to in Congressional budgeting? a) Funding allocated for specific federal projects or programs b) The process of amending a bill c) The authority to raise taxes d) Funding for the military Answer: a) Funding allocated for specific federal projects or programs 39. Which constitutional clause gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce? a) Commerce Clause b) Elastic Clause c) Supremacy Clause d) Establishment Clause Answer: a) Commerce Clause 40. How often are elections held for the House of Representatives? a) Every year b) Every two years c) Every four years d) Every six years Answer: b) Every two years 41. What is a primary election? a) An election to determine the President b) An election to select a party’s nominee for the general election c) An election to vote on proposed laws d) An election to confirm Supreme Court justices Answer: b) An election to select a party’s nominee for the general election 42. Which group in Congress is responsible for overseeing the Executive Branch? a) Judiciary Committee b) Appropriations Committee c) Oversight and Reform Committee d) Foreign Relations Committee Answer: c) Oversight and Reform Committee 43. What is a joint session of Congress? a) A meeting of both chambers to discuss budget issues b) A session held only by the Senate c) A session held only by the House d) A session where only the President speaks Answer: a) A meeting of both chambers to discuss budget issues 44. Which part of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch? a) Article I b) Article II c) Article III d) Article IV Answer: a) Article I 45. What happens to a bill that is not signed by the President within ten days and Congress is in session? a) It becomes law b) It is automatically vetoed c) It is sent back to Congress d) It dies Answer: a) It becomes law 46. Which term refers to the redrawing of district boundaries for electoral purposes? a) Filibustering b) Gerrymandering c) Earmarking d) Impeachment Answer: b) Gerrymandering 47. What is the purpose of a “continuing resolution”? a) To continue government funding when the budget is not passed b) To resolve disagreements between the House and Senate c) To amend existing laws d) To initiate new legislation Answer: a) To continue government funding when the budget is not passed 48. How many votes are needed in the Senate to confirm a Supreme Court nominee? a) Simple majority b) Two-thirds majority c) Three-fifths majority d) Unanimous consent Answer: a) Simple majority 49. What is the main purpose of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)? a) To draft the federal budget b) To provide economic data and analysis for Congress c) To oversee appropriations d) To confirm nominations Answer: b) To provide economic data and analysis for Congress 50. Which chamber of Congress has the exclusive power to raise revenue? a) Senate b) House of Representatives c) Both chambers equally d) The President Answer: b) House of Representatives

MORE MCQS ON Foundations of American Government MCQs

• The Constitution and Constitutional Law MCQs USA
• The Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist Writings MCQs USA
• The Bill of Rights and Amendments MCQs USA
• Federalism and the Division of Powers MCQs USA
• The Role of the Judiciary in Constitutional Interpretation MCQs USA

2. Political Institutions MCQs USA

• The Presidency: Powers, Roles, and Evolution MCQs USA
• Congress: Structure, Functions, and Legislative Process MCQs USA
• The Federal Judiciary: The Supreme Court and Lower Courts MCQs USA
• State and Local Governments: Structures and Functions MCQs USA
• The Bureaucracy: Roles, Organization, and Impact on Policy MCQs USA

3. Political Parties and Elections MCQs USA

• The Two-Party System: Democrats and Republicans MCQs USA
• Third Parties and Independent Movements MCQs USA
• Electoral Systems: Primaries, Caucuses, and General Elections MCQs USA
• The Electoral College: Function and Controversy MCQs USA
• Campaign Finance and Political Action Committees (PACs) MCQs USA
• Voter Behavior and Demographics MCQs USA

4. Public Policy and Administration MCQs USA

• Policy-Making Process: Agenda Setting, Formulation, Implementation, and Evaluation MCQs USA
• Domestic Policy: Healthcare, Education, Welfare, and Immigration MCQs USA
• Economic Policy: Taxation, Budgeting, and Regulation MCQs USA
• Environmental Policy and Sustainability MCQs USA
• Social Policy: Civil Rights, Social Justice, and Equality MCQs USA
• Public Administration: The Role of Civil Servants and Agencies MCQs USA

5. Civil Rights and Liberties MCQs USA

• The Civil Rights Movement and Its Impact MCQs USA
• The Women’s Rights Movement MCQs USA
• LGBTQ+ Rights and Legal Developments MCQs USA
• The Role of the Supreme Court in Expanding and Protecting Rights MCQs USA
• Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Assembly MCQs USA
• The Right to Privacy and Contemporary Issues MCQs USA

6. Political Theory and Ideologies MCQs USA

• Classical Liberalism and Republicanism in American Thought MCQs USA
• The Role of Political Ideologies: Conservatism, Liberalism, Libertarianism, Progressivism MCQs USA
• American Exceptionalism and National Identity MCQs USA
• The Role of Religion in American Politics MCQs USA
• Democratic Theory: Participation, Representation, and Pluralism MCQs USA

7. International Relations and Foreign Policy MCQs USA

• U.S. Foreign Policy: History, Institutions, and Key Doctrines MCQs USA
• The Role of the United States in International Organizations (UN, NATO, WTO) MCQs USA
• Diplomacy, War, and Peacekeeping MCQs USA
• Trade Policy and Economic Relations MCQs USA
• Globalization and Its Impact on U.S. Politics MCQs USA
• National Security and Defense Policy MCQs USA

8. American Political Development MCQs USA

• The Evolution of American Political Institutions MCQs USA MCQs USA
• Major Political Eras: Reconstruction, The New Deal, The Civil Rights Era, The Reagan Era MCQs USA
• The Role of Social Movements in Shaping Policy MCQs USA
• The Impact of Immigration on American Politics MCQs USA
• Changing Demographics and Their Political Implications MCQs USA

9. Public Opinion and Political Culture MCQs USA

• The Role of Public Opinion in Shaping Policy MCQs USA
• Political Socialization: Family, Media, Education, and Peers MCQs USA
• Political Participation: Voting, Protests, and Civic Engagement MCQs USA
• Media and Politics: The Influence of Traditional and Social Media MCQs USA
• The Role of Political Polling and Surveys MCQs USA

10. Contemporary Issues in U.S. Politics MCQs USA

• Polarization and Partisan Divides MCQs USA
• The Role of Technology in Modern Politics: Social Media, Cybersecurity, and Surveillance MCQs USA
• The Impact of Global Issues on U.S. Politics: Climate Change, Pandemics, Global Migration MCQs USA
• Identity Politics: Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class in the Political Arena MCQs USA
• Challenges to Democracy: Gerrymandering, Voter Suppression, and Election Integrity MCQs USA

Additional Areas:

• Comparative Politics: Comparing the U.S. political system with other democracies. MCQs USA
• Political Economy: Exploring the relationship between politics and economics in the U.S.
• Law and Society: The interaction of legal institutions with American society. MCQs USA MCQs USA