U.S. Government Legislative Branch

What are the functions and duties of the legislative branch of government?

• To enforce laws and oversee federal agencies

• To make laws, declare war, regulate commerce, and control government spending

• To manage state governments and appoint governors

• To interpret laws and determine their constitutionality

Why does the Constitution give the House of Representatives the sole power to originate “Bills for raising Revenue”?

• To give smaller states more influence over taxes

• To ensure the legislative branch has control over taxation and spending, reflecting the will of the people

• Because the president requested it

• Because the Senate cannot approve any legislation

Which powers are specifically given to the U.S. Senate?

• Approving presidential appointments and treaties, and conducting impeachment trials

• Impeaching federal officials and breaking Electoral College ties

• Proposing tax bills and creating budgets

• Writing amendments to the Constitution

Why was Andrew Johnson’s impeachment historically significant?

• He demonstrated the system of checks and balances between the legislative and executive branches

• He was the first president to veto a law

• He was the first president to be removed from office

• He successfully overrode Congress’ decisions

How often are members of the House of Representatives elected?

• Every four years

• Every two years

• Every year

• Every six years

How does the House of Representatives reflect the will of the people more directly than the Senate?

• Representatives are appointed by the president

• Representatives serve shorter terms, representing smaller districts, and are fully renewed every two years

• Representatives cannot propose revenue bills

• Representatives have the power to override Supreme Court decisions

What is the “power of the purse” in Congress?

• The judicial branch’s ability to manage federal funds

• The Senate’s power to approve treaties

• The House of Representatives’ ability to start tax and spending bills

• The president’s ability to approve the federal budget

Why did the Great Compromise give larger states more influence in the House of Representatives?

• To ensure they could veto state laws

• To allow them to control presidential elections

• To give them more Senators

• To balance their smaller influence in the Senate

Who presides over the Senate, and what power do they have?

• The chief justice; oversees legislative sessions

• The president; approves treaties

• The vice president; casts a tiebreaking vote

• The Senate majority leader; proposes bills

Why did Congress pass the Tenure of Office Act during Andrew Johnson’s presidency?

• To allow the president to dismiss any federal official at will

• To limit the House of Representatives’ role in impeachment

• To require Senate approval before the president could remove certain high-ranking officials

• To give Johnson more power over Reconstruction policies