Marc Turetzky
Pols1, Spring 2016
Name ________________________________________________
The U.S. Congress: Pre-Quiz Questions (we answer them together)
1) In what U.S. City does the U.S. Congress meet?
________________________________________________
2) How many years is a term in the House of Representatives? __________
3) How many years is a term in the Senate? __________
4) Are Congressional terms limited as with the POTUS? __________
5) What are the age and citizenship requirements for a Congressperson?
House of Representatives:
Senate:
6) What happens to a law after it is passed by both houses of Congress (what choices does a POTUS have)?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
7) What kind of majority must Congress have to reverse a veto? ______________________________
8) Are most presidential vetoes reversed by Congress? Circle the correct answer. Yes/No
9) Which of the three branches has the power to declare war? Circle the correct answer. Congress/President/Supreme
Court
10) Which of the three branches has the power to spend money? Circle the correct answer.
Congress/President/Supreme Court? __________
11) Which of the three branches has the power to tax? Circle the correct answer. Congress/President/Supreme
Court? __________
12) Which of the three branches has the power to ratify treaties? Circle the correct answer.
Congress/President/Supreme Court
13) Which article in the Constitution discusses the legislative branch? ______________________________
14) What is the salary of a member of Congress? ______________________________
15) Who is the current Speaker of the House of Representatives? ______________________________
16) Who is the current House Majority Leader? ______________________________
17) Who is the current Minority Leader of the House of Representatives? ______________________________
18) Who are your two Senators? ______________________________
19) Who is your member of the US House of Representatives? ______________________________
20) Currently, who is President of the Senate? ______________________________
Marc Turetzky
Pols1, Fall 2015
Name _______________________________________________
114th Congress (2015-2017) Profile
Total House Members: 435
Total Senate Members: 100
Political Party
House
188 Democrats
245 Republicans*
2 Vacant (*Jackson resigned; Scott made Senator)
Senate
44 Democrats
54 Republicans*
2 Independents (*Sanders & King: Both caucuses with Democrats)
*Largest republican majority since the 71st Congress (1929-1931)
Average Age
House
58
Senate
62
Education (members with advanced degrees [Masters, Law degree])
House
281
Senate
78
Military Service
House
109
Senate
31
Occupations (partial Listing)
House
Agriculture, 28; Business, 163; Education, 86; Law, 160; Real Estate, 38
Senate
Agriculture, 5; Business, 30; Education, 12; Law, 58; Real Estate, 3
Women
House
84
Senate
20
Race and Ethnicity
House
Black, 43; Hispanic, 32; Asian, 11; Native American, 2; Cavemen, 0
Senate
Black, 2; Hispanic, 3; Asian, 3; Native American, 1; Cavemen, 0
Religion
House
Roman Catholic, 129; Baptist, 65; Methodist, 51; Jewish, 26; Mormon, 11; African Methodist, 3
Senate
Roman Catholic, 24; Baptist, 7; Methodist, 12; Jewish, 11; Mormon, 5; African Methodist, 0
The 114th Congress: Questions
1) Describe the typical House and Senate member. How are members of the two houses different? How are they similar?
2) Which statistic, if any, surprised you?