Congress Basics
This is the term for a two‑year meeting period of Congress that starts on January 3 of odd‑numbered years.
What is a term of Congress?
If Naboo had a state legislature patterned after the U.S., its “people’s house” based on population and serving two‑year terms would be this chamber.
What is the House of Representatives?
If the Star Wars universe borrowed our politics, the Empire and the Rebellion might play the role of these two main U.S. groups that organize elections and write platforms.
What are the Democratic and Republican parties?
If the Rebel Alliance tried to pass a law to pay for new X‑wings under the U.S. system, a bill about this subject would have to be introduced first in the House of Representatives.
What is money (revenue/spending)?
If the New Republic chose a president like we do, Luke Skywalker would have to meet these three constitutional requirements before taking office.
What are: at least 35 years old, a native‑born U.S. citizen, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years?
Question worth Double points.
Like the U.S. Congress is bicameral, the Galactic Senate has many committees and factions; this word describes a legislature with two chambers, such as our House and Senate.
What is bicameral?
Question is worth triple points.
In Star Wars, each world sends delegates to the Senate; in the U.S., each state sends two of these to represent the whole state for six‑year terms.
What is the Senate?
This term describes the formal declaration of what a political party stands for and what issues it supports.
What is a platform?
This type of congressional group does most of the detailed work on bills; there are 16 of them in the Senate and 20 in the House.
What are standing committees?
Emperor Palpatine stayed in power far longer than any U.S. president; here, this amendment limits presidents to two elected terms or 10 years max.
What is the 22nd Amendment?
In Star Wars, this character manipulates the Senate from the inside; in the U.S., this branch—called the “First Branch”—is supposed to be the most directly accountable to the people.
What is the legislative branch (or Congress)?
This person is the most powerful leader in the House of Representatives and is chosen by the majority party.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
This electoral body formally chooses the president and vice president, using a total of 538 votes.
What is the Electoral College?
Question worth Double points.
If Emperor Palpatine wanted to quietly kill a reform bill without a vote, he could copy this U.S. committee tactic of ignoring a bill and letting it die.
What is pigeonholing a bill?
This is one of the president’s roles in which they serve as head of the executive branch and must ensure laws are “faithfully executed.”
What is Chief Executive?
Name 5 major Star Wars characters.
These leaders in both the House and Senate try to make sure laws passed are in the best interest of their party, pushing bills along and trying to sway votes.
Who are the floor leaders?
This is the minimum number of electoral votes a candidate must win to become president.
What is 270?
In the Senate, this term describes completely unrelated amendments that can be tacked onto a bill.
What are riders?
When Princess Leia negotiates with other worlds, she acts like this presidential role that deals with foreign policy and represents the nation abroad.
What is Chief Diplomat?
Just as Coruscant’s Senate chamber is filled with hundreds of worlds, this is the exact number of voting members in the U.S. House of Representatives.
What is 435?
This Latin term meaning “for the time being” describes the senator who usually acts as chairperson of the Senate when the vice president is absent.
What is president pro tempore (or pro tem)?
In almost every state, this system means that the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state receives all of the state’s electoral votes.
What is the winner‑take‑all system?
This term describes a tactic in the Senate where a senator talks for a long time to delay or defeat a bill; it can be ended by a three‑fifths vote for cloture.
What is a filibuster?
If a U.S. vice president suddenly became president—like if a chancellor were lost in battle—this amendment explains how a new vice president is chosen and confirmed.
What is the 25th Amendment? (President nominates; House and Senate approve.)
Question is worth 2,000 points.