Understanding US Congressional Structure

This lecture discusses the legislative branch of the US government, focusing on its structure, functions, and current political situation. It explains the bicameral system of Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and their roles in representation, law-making, and oversight. The lecture also covers the principle of checks and balances, the election process, and the current divided state of Congress.

What is one of the primary missions of the US Congress?

• To enforce laws

• To appoint judges

• To represent the people

• To manage state budgets

How often are members of the House of Representatives elected?

• Every 4 years

• Every 6 years

• Every 2 years

• Every year

What is the term length for a US Senator?

• 2 years

• 6 years

• 4 years

• 8 years

How many Senators does each state have?

• Four

• One

• Two

• Three

What is the main difference in representation between the House and the Senate?

• The House represents states, the Senate represents people

• The House represents people, the Senate represents states

• Both represent states

• Both represent people

Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?

• The President Pro Tempore

• The Speaker of the House

• The Majority Leader

• The Vice President

What is the role of the Vice President in the Senate?

• To break tie votes

• To vote on all bills

• To appoint Senators

• To lead the Senate

How is the number of Representatives per state determined?

• By the state's historical significance

• By the state's land area

• By the state's population

• By the state's economic output

What happens when a state gains a Representative?

• The state's voting power decreases

• The state gains a Senator

• The total number of Representatives increases

• Another state loses a Representative

Who currently controls the Senate?

• Republicans

• Independents

• Libertarians

• Democrats