Constitution

Question 1

Which branch of the U.S. government is the focus of Article I?

Answer 1

The Legislative Branch

Question 2

What is the primary responsibility of Congress?

Answer 2

Make laws

Question 3

How many members currently serve in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Answer 3

435

Question 4

How many members currently serve in the U.S. Senate?

Answer 4

100

Question 5

Domestic:

Answer 5

within our nation, homeland

Question 6

Tranquility:

Answer 6

state of calmness

Question 7

Posterity:

Answer 7

future generations

Question 8

Ordain:

Answer 8

make official

Question 9

What is the purpose of the Preamble?

Answer 9

To show the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document as a whole

Question 10

What are two goals in the Preamble? Why are these two goals important to you?

Answer 10

Insure domestic tranquility - maintain peace within our nation

Provide for a common defence - make our nation strong

Question 11

What is a framer of the Constitution?

Answer 11

Someone who helped craft the Constitution

Question 12

Who are We the People?

Answer 12

Citizens of the United States

Question 13

What two houses (or chambers) does Congress consist of? Name both of them.

Answer 13

The Senate and the House of Representatives

Question 14

What are the requirements to be eligible to run for election in the House of Representatives?

Answer 14

25 years old, US citizen for 7 years, from that state

Question 15

How long is the term for a member of the House of Representatives?

Answer 15

2 years

Question 16

How did the 13th Amendment impact the Constitution?

Answer 16

It abolished slavery - gave slaves citizenship but not the right to vote

Question 17

Which house impeaches (accuses an official of wrongdoing)?

Answer 17

The House of Representatives

Question 18

What is the number of Representatives members (435) based on?

Answer 18

State population

Question 19

What two amendments impacted how the population would be counted (purpose of apportionment)?

Answer 19

The 13th and 14th amendments (13th - gave slaves citizenship but not the right to vote, 14th - abolished the 3/5th Compromise and granted citizenship to formerly enslaved people)

Question 20

What did the 17th Amendment change about how Senators are elected?

Answer 20

The two senators from each state are now elected by direct vote, rather than by Legislature

Question 21

What are three requirements to be eligible for election in the Senate?

Answer 21

30 years old, US citizen for 9 years, from that state

Question 22

How long is a Senator’s term?

Answer 22

6 years

Question 23

How did the framers set up “Classes” in the Constitution and why? OR How were “Classes” of Senators originally organized and why?

Answer 23

6 year terms are divided into 3 classes, terms rotate every 2 years, helps maintain a sense of continuity

Question 24

Which house has the sole power to try (serve like a court of law) impeachments?

Answer 24

The Senate

Question 25

Who is the President of the Senate? Name the current President of the Senate. Who will be the President of the Senate under the administration that will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025?

Answer 25

The Vice President of the United States (Current - Kamala Harris, New - JD Vance)

Question 26

How often does the Constitution say that Congress will assemble?

Answer 26

At least once every year

Question 27

What “class” is the current Congress? On January 3rd, 2025 what will be the “class”?

Answer 27

Current Congress - 118th class, New Congress - 119th class

Question 27

Quorum:

Answer 27

the minimum number of members required to be considered official

Question 28

What was the impact of the 20th Amendment on when Congress would convene?

Answer 28

It changed the first meeting from the first Monday in December to noon on January 3rd

Question 29

What is a quorum in the House of Representatives (give a number)?

Answer 29

218

Question 30

What is a quorum in the Senate (give a number)?

Answer 30

51

Question 31

Who breaks a 50/50 tie in the Senate?

Answer 31

The Vice President

Question 32

How many days can a chamber adjourn without the permission of the other chamber?

Answer 32

3 days

Question 33

Compensation:

Answer 33

salary, from the Treasury of the United States

Question 34

What is one benefit of being a member of Congress?

Answer 34

They can’t be arrested unless it is a felony, breach of peace, or treason

Question 35

Which department is responsible for paying Congress?

Answer 35

Department of Treasury

Question 36

When do changes in compensation take place?

Answer 36

For the next Congress

Question 37

Where is a record of Congressional proceedings kept?

Answer 37

The journal

Question 38

How many members does it take to expel a member?

Answer 38

2/3

Question 39

How a bill becomes a law? List the steps.

Answer 39

The House of Representatives and Senate need simple majority The bill is presented to the president He has 10 days (excluding Sundays) to approve or object the bill If he does not do so, the bill becomes a law (if Congress is in session) If Congress is adjourned, the president can use a pocket veto If the bill is vetoed by the president, the bill is sent back to the house in which it originated The House then needs ⅔ majority votes before it is sent to the Senate who also needs ⅔ majority votes (If they both get ⅔ votes, the bill becomes a law)

Question 40

Who can propose a bill?

Answer 40

Anyone

Question 41

Which house must initiate bills?

Answer 41

Either, anyone

Question 42

Which house must initiate bills regarding revenue?

Answer 42

The House of Representatives

Question 43

How does a bill automatically become a law (without the President’s signature)?

Answer 43

If he does not take action within the 10 day window

Question 44

Where can a bill die?

Answer 44

In committee

Question 45

If the President disapproves of the bill, where does he send it?

Answer 45

Back to the house in which it originated

Question 46

Where are the yeas and nays recorded?

Answer 46

The journal

Question 47

When does a "pocket veto" happen? (vetoed by default)

Answer 47

When the president does not act on the bill within his 10 day window and Congress is adjourned

Question 48

Two-thirds (2/3) of each house is needed to override a veto. How many members of the House of Representatives are needed to override a veto? How many members of the Senate are needed to override a veto?

Answer 48

House of Representatives - 290 members Senate - 67 members

Question 49

Of the many powers that Congress has, what are three?

Answer 49

Coin money, collect taxes, and declare war

Question 50

What are “Letters of Marque”?

Answer 50

They say they can make you a pirate

Question 51

Who has the power to declare war?

Answer 51

Congress

Question 52

What are the misconceptions about the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Answer 52

That Congress has limitless power and allows for special laws to be passed

Question 53

Does the US have to have a Federal City? What parameters are set by the Constitution?

Answer 53

Yes, DC, No bigger than 10 square miles

Question 54

Can an elected official keep gifts from foreign countries?

Answer 54

No

Question 55

Can the United States grant titles of nobility?

Answer 55

No

Question 56

Why did the framers specifically deny titles of nobility?

Answer 56

To prevent corruption of federal officers because of foreign entities

Question 57

Explain the Writ of Habeas Corpus.

Answer 57

It protects your Constitutional rights

Question 58

With the consent of Congress, what is one thing the states or a state can do?

Answer 58

Lay duties on imports or exports

Question 59

Can states make treaties with other nations or states?

Answer 59

No