House Of Representatives And Senate! Trivia Questions Quiz
Below are trivia questions on the house of representatives and senate. It is designed to test out just how much you know about the people in them, the rules they must follow and power they hold when it comes to the country. Do give it a try and get to learn more about the united states government. All the best!
- 1.
What is the name of the unwritten rule that the party members with the longest records of service in Congress will get the most important posts?
- A.
Seniority rule
- B.
Service rule
- C.
Time-plus-terms rule
- D.
Longevity rule
Correct Answer
A. Seniority ruleExplanation
The correct answer is the seniority rule. This unwritten rule is based on the length of service in Congress, where party members with the longest records of service are given priority and are more likely to be appointed to the most important posts. This rule ensures that experienced and knowledgeable individuals are entrusted with leadership positions, as their years of service indicate their familiarity with the workings of Congress and their ability to effectively navigate the political landscape.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Critics of the Seniority Rule note that it rewards those Senators who come from a(n) __________ constituency.
- A.
Ever-changing
- B.
Affluent
- C.
Older
- D.
Safe
Correct Answer
D. SafeExplanation
The correct answer is "safe". Critics of the Seniority Rule argue that it rewards Senators who come from a safe constituency. This means that these Senators have a secure and stable voter base, which allows them to focus more on their own personal interests rather than the needs and concerns of their constituents. This can lead to a lack of accountability and a disconnect between the Senator and the people they are supposed to represent.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following is NOT the decision of a committee chairman?
- A.
When a committee will meet
- B.
Who else will sit on the committee
- C.
Which bills a committee will take up
- D.
What witnesses to call
Correct Answer
B. Who else will sit on the committeeExplanation
The committee chairman is responsible for making decisions regarding when the committee will meet, which bills the committee will take up, and what witnesses to call. However, the decision of who else will sit on the committee is not the responsibility of the committee chairman. This decision is typically made by higher authorities or through a separate process such as nominations or elections.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Who is next in line for the presidency after the Vice President?
- A.
The president of the Senate
- B.
The president pro tempore
- C.
The Speaker of the House
- D.
The Senate majority floor leader
Correct Answer
C. The Speaker of the HouseExplanation
The Speaker of the House is next in line for the presidency after the Vice President. According to the United States Presidential Line of Succession, if the Vice President is unable to fulfill the duties of the presidency, the Speaker of the House would assume the role. This is because the Speaker of the House is the highest-ranking member of the House of Representatives and is third in line for presidential succession, following the Vice President and the President pro tempore of the Senate.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Who serves as leader of the Senate when the Vice President is absent?
- A.
The Majority Whip
- B.
The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- C.
The president pro tempore
- D.
The Senate majority leader
Correct Answer
C. The president pro temporeExplanation
The president pro tempore serves as the leader of the Senate when the Vice President is absent. This position is typically held by the senior member of the majority party and is responsible for presiding over Senate sessions in the absence of the Vice President. The president pro tempore's role is to maintain order and ensure that Senate proceedings run smoothly. They also have the power to recognize members to speak, refer bills to committees, and perform other administrative duties.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The Republicans changed the practice of seniority rule by limiting committee chairmanship to __________ years.
- A.
Two
- B.
Four
- C.
Six
- D.
Twelve
Correct Answer
C. SixExplanation
The Republicans changed the practice of seniority rule by limiting committee chairmanship to six years. This change was likely implemented to promote turnover and prevent any one individual from holding too much power and influence within a committee. By imposing a term limit, the Republicans aimed to ensure a more equitable distribution of leadership opportunities and encourage fresh perspectives and ideas to come forward.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The President's annual speech before a joint session of Congress is called the
- A.
Congressional Address.
- B.
Congressional Commencement.
- C.
Opening Address.
- D.
State of the Union message.
Correct Answer
D. State of the Union message.Explanation
The President's annual speech before a joint session of Congress is called the State of the Union message. This speech provides an overview of the current state of the country and outlines the President's agenda and priorities for the upcoming year. It is an important tradition in American politics and serves as a platform for the President to address Congress, the American people, and the world.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following is NOT a function of a whip?
- A.
To discover how party members will vote
- B.
To see that all party members are present for important votes
- C.
To be the chief spokesperson for the party in that body
- D.
To serve as a liaison between party leaders and rank-and-file members
Correct Answer
C. To be the chief spokesperson for the party in that bodyExplanation
The function of a whip is to discover how party members will vote, to see that all party members are present for important votes, and to serve as a liaison between party leaders and rank-and-file members. However, being the chief spokesperson for the party in that body is not a function of a whip.Rate this question:
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- 9.
How is the president of the Senate chosen?
- A.
It is through the majority caucus.
- B.
It is by majority vote.
- C.
It is always the longest serving member of the majority party.
- D.
It is always the Vice President.
Correct Answer
D. It is always the Vice President.Explanation
The president of the Senate is always the Vice President. This is because the Vice President holds the position of President of the Senate according to the United States Constitution. The Vice President is given the role of presiding over the Senate, casting tie-breaking votes, and maintaining order during Senate sessions. Therefore, the Vice President automatically becomes the president of the Senate.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which of the following is NOT a difference between the Speaker of the House and the president of the Senate?
- A.
The Speaker can be a member of the majority or minority party, while the Senate president is a member of the majority party.
- B.
The Speaker is an elected member of the body in which he serves, while the Senate president is not.
- C.
The Speaker may debate on matters under discussion, while the Senate president may not.
- D.
The Speaker may vote whenever he or she wishes, while the Senate president may vote only in the event of a tie.
Correct Answer
A. The Speaker can be a member of the majority or minority party, while the Senate president is a member of the majority party.Explanation
The correct answer is that the Speaker can be a member of the majority or minority party, while the Senate president is a member of the majority party. This means that the Speaker of the House can belong to either the majority party or the minority party, depending on the balance of power in the House of Representatives. In contrast, the president of the Senate is always a member of the majority party, as they are elected by the majority party members in the Senate.Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Mar 24, 2013Quiz Created by
Slevaque
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