Congressional Powers and Processes

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🏛️ Part 1: Congressional Powers and Checks

1. Which of the following is an enumerated power of Congress?

Regulating interstate commerce

Creating a national bank

Establishing environmental protection laws

Setting up a federal education department

2. The elastic clause allows Congress to exercise _____________ powers that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution.

3. Which of the following are ways Congress can check the Executive Branch? (Check all that apply)

Override presidential vetoes

Confirm presidential appointments

Impeach the president

Declare executive actions unconstitutional

4. True or False: Only the House of Representatives can originate tax bills.

True

False

5. Explain what "the power of the purse" means and why it's important:

📋 Part 2: Lawmaking Process and Legislatures

6. Number the following steps in the correct order for how a bill becomes law (1-5):

_____ Bill goes to the other chamber of Congress

_____ Bill is introduced in House or Senate

_____ President signs or vetoes the bill

_____ Committee reviews and marks up the bill

_____ Floor debate and voting in the first chamber

7. What is casework, and how does it help legislators connect with their constituents?

8. Compare state legislatures to the federal Congress. Fill in the blanks:

State legislatures often meet for _________ sessions (shorter/longer) than Congress.

Many state legislators are considered _________ legislators because they have other jobs.

The federal Constitution _________ (allows/prohibits) term limits for Congress members.

9. Which type of state legislature meets part-time and pays legislators very little?

Professional legislature

Citizen legislature

Hybrid legislature

Constitutional legislature

💭 Part 3: Critical Thinking

10. Should Congress have term limits? Provide one argument for and one argument against:

Argument FOR term limits:

Argument AGAINST term limits:

11. Choose a current issue (like social media privacy or climate change). Explain how Congress might use both enumerated and implied powers to address this issue:

Congressional Powers and Processes

Congressional Powers and Processes

🏛️ Part 1: Congressional Powers and Checks

📋 Part 2: Lawmaking Process and Legislatures

💭 Part 3: Critical Thinking

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