Citizenship Quiz Questions 21-40

Why are the previous two different?

"Elections to the Senate are staggered over even years so that only about 1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection during any election. Senators represent the whole of their state, a much larger number of people than members of the House of Representatives. A 6 year term gives them more time work for the people they represent. "

What is the process for impeachment and removal of federal officials, according to the Constitution?

"In the case of impeachment trials, the chief justice of the United States presides. The house decides whether the individual should be put up for a trial, and the Constitution then requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate to convict, and the penalty for an impeached official upon conviction is removal from office."

What is the function of: - The Speaker of the House? - The Vice-President? - The President Pro Tempore?

1. "The Speaker is the presiding officer of the House and is charged with numerous duties and responsibilities by law and by the House rules" 2. "The primary responsibility of the Vice President of the United States is to be ready at a moment's notice to assume the Presidency if the President is unable to perform his or her duties. They are also the chair of the senate." 3. "The Constitution requires the Senate to elect a president pro tempore to serve as presiding officer in the absence of the vice president. The president pro tempore is authorized to preside over the Senate, sign legislation, and issue the oath of office to new senators."

What is the function of: - The Majority Leader? - The (Minority) Leader? - The Majority Whip? - The (Minority) Whip?

1. Majority leaders are typically campaigners on behalf of their partisan colleagues, and they assist incumbents and challengers in raising campaign funds, and they travel to scores of House districts to campaign with either incumbents or challengers of their party. 2. "The minority leaders develop the minority position, negotiate with the majority party, direct minority caucus activities on the floor, direct floor activity for the minority party, lead floor debate for the minority party" 3. The majority whips are mainly responsible for counting heads and rounding up party members for votes and quorum calls. They can also stand in for majority/minority leaders if they are absent. 4. Minority whips assist the minority leader on the floor and also count heads.

What is the function of: - The Senate Majority Leader? - The Senate Majority Whip? - The Senate (Minority) Leader? - The Senate (Minority) Whip?

1. The Senate Majority Leader fashions unanimous consent agreements by which the Senate may limit the amount of time for debate on a measure and divide that time between the parties. 2. The State Majority Whip assists the State Senate Majority Leader by enforcing party discipline on votes deemed to be crucial by the party leadership and ensuring that members do not vote in a way not approved of by the party. 3. The Senate Minority Leader is responsible for developing the minority position, negotiating with the majority party, directing minority caucus activities on the chamber floor, and leading the debate for the minority 4. The Senate Minority Whip is responsible for assisting the party leadership in bringing the party's bills to the House floor, maintaining communication between the leadership of the party and its members, counting votes on key legislation, and persuading Members to vote for the party position.

How does a bill become a law?

After a bill is passed through the U.S. house of representatives and the U.S. Senate, it must be approved by the President. If it is approved, the bill will become a law and is henceforth implemented by the government.

What informal qualifications have past presidents had in common?

Experience in government or high military rank, ability to raise large amounts of money, personal characteristics, and debate experience. Also they are all MEN???

How do Congresspeople get elected?

In both houses, Congresspeople are elected through a direct popular vote.

How did the 17th Amendment impact the election of senators?

It allowed voters to cast direct votes for U.S. senators. Before this law was passed, senators were chosen by state legislatures.

What are the names of the current President and Vice-President?

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (Democratic Party)

What are the formal qualifications for the President?

Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States Must be at least 35 years old Must have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

Nancy Pelosi (Democratic Party)

Evaluate the pros and cons of lobbyists in the legislative process.

Pros: Provides access to government legislators Acts as an educational tool Allows individual interests to gain power in numbers. Cons: Political outcomes sometimes only benefit certain interest groups. Big corporations get too much influence. Political decisions no longer benefit the general public. Lobbying can be costly.

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

Senators are elected for 6-year terms by the people of each state.

What are the powers of the House of Representatives?

The House of Representatives yields the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an Electoral College tie.

What are the powers of the Senate?

The Senate shares full legislative power with the House of Representatives, but they also have the exclusive authority to approve-or reject-presidential nominations to judicial and executive offices

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

The number of U.S. Representatives depends on the state population.

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

U.S. House Representatives each represent a portion of their state which is known as a Congressional District, but U.S. senators represent the entire state.

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

U.S. representatives are elected for 2-year terms, but there is no limit to how many terms they can serve.

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

the President of the United States