How A Bill Becomes A Law
Test your bill to law knowledge!
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Of the following, who may officially propose a bill?
- A.
Constituents
- B.
Interest groups
- C.
Members of congress
- D.
Governors
- E.
Public officials
Correct Answer
C. Members of congressExplanation
Members of Congress may officially propose a bill because they are the elected representatives in the legislative branch of the government. They have the authority and responsibility to introduce and sponsor bills for consideration and potential passage into law. Constituents, interest groups, governors, and public officials may have influence and voice their opinions on proposed legislation, but only members of Congress have the power to formally propose bills.Rate this question:
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- 2.
When a congress member agrees to propose legislation on behalf of constituents, interest groups etc., (s)he becomes a
- A.
Patron
- B.
Sponsor
- C.
Advocate
- D.
Co-sponsor
- E.
Writer
Correct Answer
B. SponsorExplanation
When a congress member agrees to propose legislation on behalf of constituents, interest groups, etc., they become a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who takes responsibility for introducing and supporting a bill in Congress. They may have been approached by constituents or interest groups who want to see a particular policy or law enacted, and they agree to take on the role of championing that cause by proposing the legislation. Sponsors play a crucial role in the legislative process by initiating bills and guiding them through the legislative process.Rate this question:
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- 3.
If a sponsor is a member of the House of Representatives, (s)he would give the bill to the __________ ___ ___ _________, after which the bill would be further processed.
- A.
Clerk of the Senate
- B.
Clerk of the House
- C.
Secretary of the Senate
- D.
Secretary of the House
Correct Answer
B. Clerk of the HouseExplanation
If a sponsor is a member of the House of Representatives, they would give the bill to the Clerk of the House, after which the bill would be further processed. The Clerk of the House is responsible for receiving and processing bills introduced in the House of Representatives. They play a crucial role in managing the legislative process and ensuring that bills are properly recorded and forwarded for consideration. Therefore, it makes sense that the sponsor would give the bill to the Clerk of the House for further processing.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Based on the issues addressed in a bill, a bill will be recommended to a particular _______________ and placed on its calendar.
- A.
Standing committee
- B.
Panel of experts
- C.
Chamber of congress
- D.
Bureau
- E.
Chairperson
Correct Answer
A. Standing committeeExplanation
A bill is recommended to a standing committee based on the issues addressed in the bill. A standing committee is a permanent committee in a legislative body that specializes in a specific area or subject matter. These committees review and analyze bills related to their area of expertise and make recommendations for further action. Therefore, it is the standing committee that decides whether a bill should be placed on its calendar for further consideration and debate.Rate this question:
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- 5.
If a committee chairperson doesn't act upon a bill
- A.
The bill remains on file until further notice
- B.
Another member of the committee may act
- C.
The bill is recommended to a different committee
- D.
The bill is effectively killed
Correct Answer
D. The bill is effectively killedExplanation
If a committee chairperson doesn't act upon a bill, it means that they are not taking any action to move the bill forward in the legislative process. This can effectively kill the bill because without the chairperson's support or action, the bill will not progress any further. It will remain on file indefinitely, without any chance of being recommended to a different committee or being acted upon by another member of the committee. Therefore, the bill is effectively killed in this scenario.Rate this question:
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- 6.
In committee or subcommittee review, views of the executive branch and other public officials and experts are put on the record. These are known as
- A.
Insights
- B.
Hearings
- C.
Addresses
- D.
Appeals
Correct Answer
B. HearingsExplanation
In committee or subcommittee review, hearings are conducted to gather the views of the executive branch, public officials, and experts. During these hearings, individuals are invited to provide testimony and present their perspectives on the matter at hand. This allows for a comprehensive and transparent examination of the issue, ensuring that all relevant voices are heard and considered. Therefore, hearings serve as a platform for the executive branch and other public officials and experts to share their insights and contribute to the decision-making process.Rate this question:
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- 7.
After hearings are held, subcommittees may make changes to a bill or "_____________" the bill
- A.
Mark up
- B.
Amend
- C.
Redraft
- D.
Adjust
Correct Answer
A. Mark upExplanation
After hearings are held, subcommittees may make changes to a bill or "mark up" the bill. This means that they can make revisions, additions, or deletions to the bill's text. The term "mark up" refers to the process of reviewing and editing a draft legislation before it is presented for further consideration. It allows subcommittees to fine-tune the bill according to their preferences and address any concerns or issues that were raised during the hearings. This step is crucial in shaping the final version of the bill before it moves forward in the legislative process.Rate this question:
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- 8.
In order to proceed from subcommittee review to committee action, a subcommittee must
- A.
Recommend the bill
- B.
Complete mark ups
- C.
Vote to report the bill
- D.
Hold additional hearings
- E.
Pass the bill
Correct Answer
C. Vote to report the billExplanation
In order to proceed from subcommittee review to committee action, a subcommittee must vote to report the bill. This means that the subcommittee members must come to a decision on whether or not to recommend the bill to the full committee for further consideration and action. This vote is crucial as it determines whether the bill will continue to move forward in the legislative process or if it will be halted at the subcommittee level.Rate this question:
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- 9.
If a full committee voes to "order the bill reported", the bill proceeds to
- A.
Endure further hearings and mark ups
- B.
An appropriate super committee
- C.
Its original chamber of congress
- D.
Full assembly of congress
Correct Answer
C. Its original chamber of congressExplanation
If a full committee votes to "order the bill reported", it means that the committee has decided to send the bill to its original chamber of congress. This means that the bill will proceed to the full assembly of congress, where it will undergo further hearings and mark ups before it can be passed into law.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which officer(s) of the house has/have the most influence in determining the scheduling of a bill on the house floor?
- A.
Speaker of the house
- B.
Speaker of the house & majority leader
- C.
Committee chairman & majority leader
- D.
Majority leader
- E.
Committee chairman
Correct Answer
B. Speaker of the house & majority leaderExplanation
The speaker of the house and the majority leader have the most influence in determining the scheduling of a bill on the house floor. The speaker of the house is the presiding officer and has the power to prioritize bills and decide when they will be discussed and voted on. The majority leader, on the other hand, is responsible for managing the legislative agenda and coordinating with the speaker to schedule bills for consideration. Together, they hold significant authority in determining the timing of bills in the house.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Once a bill reaches the floor of a particular chamber, members vote on rules regarding
- A.
Time spent on debate
- B.
Electronic vs. vocal voting
- C.
Amendment processes
- D.
Whether or not to debate
Correct Answer
A. Time spent on debateExplanation
Once a bill reaches the floor of a particular chamber, members vote on rules regarding time spent on debate. This means that they decide on how much time will be allocated for discussing the bill and presenting arguments for or against it. This is an important decision as it determines the extent of discussion and deliberation that will take place before a final vote is taken on the bill. By voting on rules regarding time spent on debate, members can ensure that there is a fair and thorough consideration of the bill before any decisions are made.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What is "unanimous consent"?
- A.
A bill is rejected by all members of a particular chamber
- B.
A bill is passed by all members of a particular chamber
- C.
A bill is voted on without debate
- D.
Both chambers agree to hear a bill
Correct Answer
C. A bill is voted on without debateExplanation
"Unanimous consent" refers to a situation where a bill is voted on without any formal debate or opposition. This means that all members of a particular chamber agree to pass the bill without any objections or reservations. It is a way to expedite the legislative process and is often used for non-controversial or routine matters that have widespread support. This mechanism allows for quick decision-making and avoids unnecessary delays in the legislative process.Rate this question:
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- 13.
When the house or senate passes a bill, it is referred to the other chamber which may do all of the following except
- A.
Approve the bill
- B.
Reject the bill
- C.
Ignore the bill
- D.
Change the bill
- E.
Refer the bill to the executive
Correct Answer
E. Refer the bill to the executiveExplanation
When a bill is passed by either the House or Senate, it is referred to the other chamber for further consideration. The other chamber may choose to approve the bill, reject it, ignore it, or change it. However, it does not have the authority to refer the bill directly to the executive branch. This step is typically taken by the chamber that originally passed the bill, as they are responsible for sending it to the executive for final approval or veto.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The formation of a conference committee becomes necessary when
- A.
The 2nd house ignores the bill
- B.
The 2nd house significantly alters the bill
- C.
The 2nd house makes minor changes to the bill
- D.
The 2nd house rejects the bill
Correct Answer
B. The 2nd house significantly alters the billExplanation
When the 2nd house significantly alters the bill, the formation of a conference committee becomes necessary. This is because the 2nd house's alterations may conflict with the original version of the bill passed by the 1st house. The conference committee is then formed to reconcile the differences between the two versions and come up with a compromise that can be accepted by both houses. This committee is composed of members from both houses and plays a crucial role in the legislative process by finding common ground and ensuring that a final version of the bill can be passed.Rate this question:
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- 15.
A bill is passed onto presidential action when
- A.
A conference committee can't reach a resolution
- B.
A bill is passed in identical forms in both houses
- C.
The second house rejects the bill
- D.
A sufficient majority in both houses can't be reached
Correct Answer
B. A bill is passed in identical forms in both housesExplanation
When a bill is passed in identical forms in both houses, it means that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have approved the bill without any amendments or changes. This is an important step in the legislative process because it indicates that there is a consensus among lawmakers from both houses on the content of the bill. Once a bill is passed in identical forms, it can then proceed to the next stage, which is either being signed into law by the president or being sent back to Congress for further consideration.Rate this question:
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- 16.
A presidential veto may be overridden with
- A.
A 3/4 majority in both houses
- B.
A simple majority in both houses
- C.
A 2/3 majority in the senate
- D.
A simple majority in the senate
- E.
A 2/3 majority in both houses
Correct Answer
E. A 2/3 majority in both housesExplanation
A presidential veto may be overridden with a 2/3 majority in both houses because the Constitution grants Congress the power to check the president's authority. This means that if two-thirds of the members in both the House of Representatives and the Senate vote to override the veto, the bill becomes a law despite the president's objection. This higher threshold ensures that there is broad support for the legislation and prevents the president from unilaterally blocking the will of Congress.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Nov 13, 2008Quiz Created by
Doodletheowl
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