US Congress

What US Congress covers

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.

The 6 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

• The structure of Congress and congressional electionsRecall questions on the size, terms and composition of each chamber, the electoral cycle and why mid-terms matter.Open →
• The distribution of powers within CongressRecall questions on enumerated and concurrent powers and on the exclusive powers held by the House and by the Senate.Open →
• Representation: incumbency and influences on how members voteRecall questions on the incumbency advantage and on how party, constituency, pressure groups, lobbyists and caucuses shape a vote.Open →
• The legislative process and gridlockRecall questions on the stages a bill passes through, conference committees, the filibuster and cloture, and the causes of gridlock.Open →
• Oversight and relations with the presidencyRecall questions on hearings, investigations, the power of the purse and confirmation, and on what shapes relations between Congress and the President.Open →
• Checks on the other branches, and debates about CongressRecall questions on impeachment, veto overrides and judicial confirmation, and on the arguments over representation, partisanship and effectiveness.Open →

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Take US Congress further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

• Primary election vs General election

  Primary election: party supporters choose a candidate. General election: voters choose between parties’ candidates.

• Executive order vs Act of Congress

  Executive order: presidential directive managing executive action. Act of Congress: statute approved through the legislature.

• Filibuster vs Veto

  Filibuster: extended Senate debate delaying a decision. Veto: presidential rejection of legislation.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What are the two chambers that make up the bicameral structure of Congress?

   Model answer

   The House of Representatives and the Senate.

2. 2

   What is the role of the House of Representatives within the bicameral Congress?

   Model answer

   It is the lower chamber of Congress, with membership based on state population, responsible for initiating revenue bills and bringing impeachment charges.

3. 3

   What is the role of the Senate within the bicameral Congress?

   Model answer

   It is the upper chamber of Congress, with equal representation for each state, responsible for ratifying treaties, confirming appointments, and trying impeachment cases.

4. 4

   How long is a term of office for a member of the House of Representatives?

   Model answer

   Two years.

5. 5

   How long is a term of office for a US Senator?

   Model answer

   Six years.

6. 6

   How many members serve in the House of Representatives?

   Model answer

   435 members.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

US Congress revision questions

What does US Congress cover in Edexcel A-Level Politics?

6 subtopics: 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. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.

How is US Congress organised?

By the Edexcel 9PL0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.