Q21-25 Learning about the US governmental structure
Want to become a US citizen? or just curious to see how much you know about your own country?
The following questions are meant for US immigrants applying to become US citizens to help study in preparation for their interview.
This is meant for your never ending pursuit of education only. :-)
Question 21: What is the legislative branch of our Government?
Question 22: What makes up Congress?
Question 23: Who makes the Federal laws in the United States?
Question 24: Who elects Congress?
Question 25: How many Senators are there in Congress?
Scroll down to read the official answers
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Answer 21: Congress
The main job of Congress is to make national laws. By dividing Congress into two parts, the Constitution put the "checks and balances" idea to work within the legislative branch. Each part of Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate, makes sure that the other does not become too powerful. These two "check" each other because both must agree for a law to be made. A Congress divided into two parts is known as a "bicameral legislature."
Answer 22: The Senate and the House of Representatives Specific powers are assigned to each of these chambers. Only the Senate has the power to reject a treaty signed by the President or a person chosen to serve on the Supreme Court. Only the House of Representatives has the power to begin considering a bill that makes Americans pay taxes. Also, only the House has the power to make a President go to trial for a crime against the United States. This is called impeachment.
Answer 23: Congress
A federal law is a rule that all Americans must follow. Every law begins as a proposal made by a member of Congress. Tax proposals must begin in the House. Other types of proposals can be made by any Senator or Representative. When the Senate or House begins to debate the proposal, it is called a bill. If the President signs the bill, it becomes a federal law.
Answer 24: The citizens of the United States
The nation is divided into 435 Congressional "districts." The people of each district are represented by a member of the House of Representatives. At the same time, the people of each state vote for two U.S. Senators. The term of office for members of the House of Representatives is two years. The term for Senators is six years. The people of a state have directly elected their two Senators only since 1913. Before then, that state's legislature elected the U.S. Senators to represent that state.
Answer 25: There are 100 Senators in Congress, 2 from each state.
One reason that the Senate was created was to give states with few people equal power to states with many people. With two Senators representing each state, states with small populations have the same Senate representation as states with large populations. In contrast, in the House, states with more people have more Representatives and therefore more power.
For more questions visit the Table of Contents to see the entire list of questions that have been posted so far.
Mario
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