Legislature Overview
The Two Houses
Powers
Congress at Work
Making Laws
100

This Article of the Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch.

What is Article I? 

100

This house has 435 members, with seats apportioned based on state population.

What is the House of Representatives

100

Powers specifically granted to Congress in the Constitution, such as the power to collect taxes or declare war.

What are expressed powers

100

What month, day, and hour does Congress convene for the start of their session

What is January 3rd, at noon

100

A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration.

What is a bill

200

A legislature consisting of two houses, created as a compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia Plans.

What is a bicameral legislature

200

Often called the "Upper House," this chamber consists of exactly two members from each state.

What is the Senate 

200

This clause, found in Article I, Section 8, is the foundation for all "implied powers."

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause

200

How many seats in the Senate every two years 

What is one-third of the seats 

200

An attempt to "talk a bill to death" in the Senate to prevent a final vote.

What is a filibuster

300

The primary function of the Legislative Branch in the U.S. government.

What is making laws

300

The length of a term for a member of the U.S. Senate.

What is six years

300

The non-legislative power that allows Congress to remove federal officials from office for misconduct.

What is impeachment

300

The speech given by the President once Congress is assembled where he details a potential legislative agenda 

What is the State of the Union


300

The President’s formal power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

What is a Veto 

400

The period of time during which Congress assembles and conducts business; there are two of these per term.

What is a session

400

The minimum age requirement to serve in the House of Representatives.

What is 25 years old

400

The specific chamber where the trial takes place after the House has voted to impeach an official.

What is the Senate

400

The name of the closed meeting both parties hold before Congress convenes for its first session

What is the Party Caucus

400

The number of votes required in both houses to override a presidential veto.

What is a two-thirds majority 


500

The British body that served as the model for the Framers' choice of a bicameral legislature.

What is Parliament

500

Considered one of the most powerful figures in Congress who has the ability to influence what bills make it onto the floor

Who is the Speaker of the House

500

The 1819 Supreme Court case that formally defined the scope of the "Necessary and Proper" clause.

What is McCulloch v. Maryland

500

What do we call a party member who helps organize votes and party memebers is known as what

What is a Whip

500

This is the formal procedure used to end a filibuster, requiring 60 votes.

What is a Cloture 

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