Legislative Branch Study Sheet
For use with chapters 10, 11 & 12 in Magruder’s American Government
1. What is a bicameral legislature and why does the U.S. have one?
2. What is the difference between a term and a session of Congress?
3. The House of Representatives consists of 435 members. How are those members apportioned? When are they
reapportioned and why?
4. Define single-member district.
5. What is gerrymandering and what are the goals of gerrymandering?
6. How do single-member districts and gerrymandering help a party control a state?
7. What is the significance of Wesberry v. Sanders?
8. What are the qualifications for House members? What is their length of term and how can they be removed
mid-term?
9. There are 100 Senators (2 per state). What are the qualifications, term length and how can they be removed
mid-term?
10. There are five components to the job of a Congressman. They are:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
11. What are the components of Congressional committee work?
12. What is difference between strict constructionists and liberal constructionists?
13. One expressed power is the power to tax. What are direct and indirect taxes? What are reasons mentioned for
taxation? What limits are on the power to tax?
14. Another expressed power is the power to borrow. What is the current deficit and debt (smartphone time)?
15. What is the commerce power? How has Congress used the commerce clause to expand federal authority?
16. Know each of the following expressed powers:
a. Currency
b. Bankruptcy
c. War powers
d. Naturalization
e. Copyrights and patents
f.
Weights and measures
g. Eminent domain
17. What is the necessary and proper clause?
18. Include on this sheet the information from the chart on p. 273.
19. What role does Congress have in amending the Constitution?
20. What are the electoral duties of Congress?
21. Congress can impeach the President and other federal officers. How does that process work?
22. Know the role of the following Congressional officers and who currently holds that role (more smartphone
time):
a. Speaker of the House
b. House Minority Leader
c. Senate Majority Leader
d. Senate Minority Leader
e. Whip (job only)
f.
Committee chairmen (job only)
23. What is the difference between a standing committee and a select committee?
24. Why is the Rules Committee the most important committee in the House of Representatives?
25. What is a joint committee?
26. What is a conference committee?
27. Define the following terms:
a. Bills
b. Rider
c. Subcommittee
d. Quorum
e. Filibuster
f.
Cloture
28. What are the President’s four options with a bill?