US Congress | Edexcel A-Level Politics (9PL0)
US Congress
- 74 questions
- 6 subtopics
- Component 3 Route B: the USA, one route of two
- Component 3
Covers the American legislature: how the two chambers are built and elected, the powers each holds, how a bill becomes law and why so few do, the oversight of the executive, and the debates over how well Congress represents and governs..
It covers the structure of Congress and congressional elections, the distribution of powers within Congress, representation: incumbency and influences on how members vote, the legislative process and gridlock, oversight and relations with the presidency and checks on the other branches, and debates about Congress.
Sample questions from US Congress
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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The structure of Congress and congressional elections
How long is a term of office for a US Senator?
Show the answer
Six years. -
The structure of Congress and congressional elections
What proportion of the House of Representatives faces election every two years?
Show the answer
The entire House of Representatives is elected every two years. -
The distribution of powers within Congress
What is the enumerated power of Congress to coin money?
Show the answer
The constitutional authority granted to Congress to produce currency and regulate its value. -
The distribution of powers within Congress
Which chamber has the exclusive power to confirm presidential appointments?
Show the answer
The Senate. -
Representation: incumbency and influences on how members vote
How does party affiliation influence voting behaviour within Congress?
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Members typically vote in line with their party's position, following party leadership and maintaining party unity on key issues. -
Representation: incumbency and influences on how members vote
How do lobbyists influence voting behaviour in Congress?
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Lobbyists represent interest groups, provide expertise and information to members, and seek to persuade them to vote in ways favourable to their clients. -
The legislative process and gridlock
What presidential action can occur at the final stage of the legislative process?
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The president can sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without signature. -
The legislative process and gridlock
How does the slow pace of the legislative process affect Congress's ability to respond to urgent issues?
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The slow and gridlock-prone nature of the process can prevent Congress from responding quickly to crises or urgent policy needs, as legislation may become stuck at various stages.
The 6 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| The structure of Congress and congressional elections | Recall questions on the size, terms and composition of each chamber, the electoral cycle and why mid-terms matter. | 13 |
| The distribution of powers within Congress | Recall questions on enumerated and concurrent powers and on the exclusive powers held by the House and by the Senate. | 10 |
| Representation: incumbency and influences on how members vote | Recall questions on the incumbency advantage and on how party, constituency, pressure groups, lobbyists and caucuses shape a vote. | 9 |
| The legislative process and gridlock | Recall questions on the stages a bill passes through, conference committees, the filibuster and cloture, and the causes of gridlock. | 16 |
| Oversight and relations with the presidency | Recall questions on hearings, investigations, the power of the purse and confirmation, and on what shapes relations between Congress and the President. | 12 |
| Checks on the other branches, and debates about Congress | Recall questions on impeachment, veto overrides and judicial confirmation, and on the arguments over representation, partisanship and effectiveness. | 14 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
Edexcel A-Level Politics Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 2,101 questions with their answers.