iCivics The Legislative Branch: Voting in Congress

What is the primary function of the legislative branch of the U.S. government?

• Enforcing laws

• Interpreting laws

• Making laws

• Declaring laws unconstitutional

What are the two parts of Congress?

• The Supreme Court and the Senate

• The Senate and the House of Representatives

• The House of Representatives and the Executive Branch

• The President and the Senate

Before a bill becomes a law, it must be approved by which groups?

• The President and the Supreme Court

• The Senate and the House of Representatives

• The President and Congress

• The Executive and Judicial Branches

What does the word “vote” mean in the context of Congress?

• A casual decision

• The simple act of saying "yea" or "nay"

• A complex decision-making process involving multiple factors

• The act of flipping a coin to decide on a law

What is the first factor members of Congress consider when deciding on a bill?

• Whether it aligns with their personal opinion

• Whether it aligns with their party's position

• Whether it falls within Congress’s constitutional powers

• Whether their constituents approve

Which of the following is NOT listed as a power of Congress?

• Establishing post offices

• Declaring war

• Creating jobs

• Collecting taxes

What does the “necessary and proper” clause allow Congress to do?

• Pass laws only if they are explicitly listed in the Constitution

• Pass any laws related to its listed powers

• Pass laws without voter approval

• Pass laws that only benefit one state

Who are constituents?

• Members of Congress

• Judges in the Supreme Court

• People who live in the area a member of Congress represents

• Lobbyists who influence lawmakers

Why do members of Congress pay attention to their constituents’ opinions?

• To win their party's approval

• To ensure their personal beliefs align with voters

• To increase their chances of re-election

• To avoid criticism from the President

What is a political party’s platform?

• The rules for how Congress operates

• A written document stating the party’s positions on issues

• The physical location where the party meets

• A set of campaign slogans