US US Congressional Powers and Legislation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many US Senators does each state have regardless of population?
- 1
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- Based on state population
Correct answer: 2
Article I, Section 3 provides that each state shall have two senators, ensuring equal representation for all states.
Question 2: What is the term length of a US Senator?
- 2 years
- 4 years
- 6 years (Correct answer)
- 8 years
Correct answer: 6 years
Article I, Section 3 establishes that senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of seats up for election every two years.
Question 3: What is the minimum age to serve as a member of the US House of Representatives?
- 21 years old
- 25 years old (Correct answer)
- 30 years old
- 35 years old
Correct answer: 25 years old
Article I, Section 2 requires House members to be at least 25 years old.
Question 4: What is the constitutional basis for allocating House seats among the states?
- Equal representation — same number per state as the Senate
- Based on state geographic size
- Based on population as determined by the census (Correct answer)
- Determined by a formula set by Congress each session
Correct answer: Based on population as determined by the census
Article I, Section 2 apportions House seats among states based on population as counted in the decennial census.
Question 5: Under the original Constitution before the 17th Amendment, how were US Senators chosen?
- By direct popular vote in each state
- By state legislatures (Correct answer)
- By the President with Senate confirmation
- By the Electoral College
Correct answer: By state legislatures
Prior to the 17th Amendment (1913), Article I, Section 3 provided that senators were chosen by their state legislatures.
Question 6: What is the constitutional role of the Vice President in relation to the Senate?
- The Vice President serves as Senate Majority Leader
- The Vice President is President of the Senate and casts tie-breaking votes (Correct answer)
- The Vice President presides only during impeachment trials
- The Vice President has no formal Senate role
Correct answer: The Vice President is President of the Senate and casts tie-breaking votes
Article I, Section 3 designates the Vice President as President of the Senate with authority to cast tie-breaking votes.
US US Congressional Powers and Legislation 1
How many US Senators does each state have regardless of population?