Civics 101 Post Links
From: Our American Government (U.S. House of Representatives publication, 2003)
SECTION: Democracy and Its American Interpretation
Q&A #1: What is the purpose of the U.S. Government?
Q&A #2: What form of government do we have in the United States?
Q&A #3: What is the role of the citizen in our Government?
Q&A #4: What contributions has our country made to the institution of government?
SECTION: The Constitution
Q&A #5: What is the Constitution?
Q&A #6: What were the basic principles on which the Constitution was framed?
Q&A #7: What is the Bill of Rights?
Q&A #8: What are the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights?
Q&A #9: How may the Constitution be amended?
Q&A #11: What is the “lame duck” amendment?
Q&A #12: How many amendments to the Constitution have been repealed?
SECTION: The Legislative Branch
» The Congress
» Members, Offices, and Staff
Q&A #15: What qualifications are prescribed for a Member of Congress?
Q&A #16: What is the term of a Congress and how often must it meet?
Q&A #17: How many Members does each State have in the Senate and House of Representatives?
Q&A #18: What is the size of the House of Representatives and how is it determined?
Q&A #19: Who defines the congressional districts-the Federal Government or the States?
Q&A #20: What is a Member of Congress?
Q&A #21: What is a Delegate or Resident Commissioner, as distinguished from a Representative?
Q&A #22: What oath of office is required for Members of Congress, and when is it administered?
Q&A #24: How can Members of Congress be removed from office or punished for misconduct?
Q&A #25: Are Members of Congress, to some extent, privileged from arrest?
Q&A #26: Who are the officers of the House and how are they chosen?
Q&A #27: What are the duties of the officers and senior officials of the House?
Q&A #28: What are the duties of the Speaker?
Q&A #30: Who was the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the longest period of time?
Q&A #31: Who presides over the Senate?
Q&A#32: Who are the officers of the Senate, how are they chosen, and what are their duties? (Part 2)
Q&A #33: What are party Leaders?
Q&A #34: Are the Majority Leaders elected by their respective Houses of Congress?
Q&A #35: What are the duties of the "Whips" of the Congress?
Q&A #36: What are party caucuses or party conferences and party committees?
Q&A #37: What are caucuses, congressional Member organizations, and other similar groups?
Q&A 38: Do Members of the House have individual seats on the Chamber floor?
Q&A #39: Do Senators have individual seats assigned them?
Q&A #40: Do the terms ‘‘senior Senator’’ and ‘‘junior Senator’’ apply to age or service?
Q&A #41: What provisions are made for offices for Members and committees of the Congress?
Q&A #42: What organizations are included in the legislative branch?
Q&A #45: Are there opportunities to work as a volunteer, intern, or fellow?
» Congressional Process and Powers
Q&A #47: Why must tax bills originate in the House?
Q&A #48: Must all appropriation measures originate in the House?
Q&A #49: What is the difference between an authorization and an appropriation?
Q&A #50: What are the different types of appropriation measures?
Q&A #51: What is the congressional budget process?
Q&A #52: What is sequestration?
Q&A #53: What are the powers of Congress as provided in the Constitution?
Q&A #54: What is the confirmation power of the Senate?
Q&A #55: What is the role of Congress in the impeachment process?
Q&A #56: Who controls use of the armed forces?
Q&A #57: What is the procedure to commit the country’s military force to war?
» Congressional Rules and Procedures
Q&A #58: How are the rules of procedure in Congress determined?
Q&A #59: What are the functions of the House Rules Committee?
Q&A #60: What is a quorum of the House and of the Senate?
Q&A #61: What is the Committee of the Whole?
Q&A #62: What are the duties of Parliamentarians?
Q&A #63: When Congress is in session, at what hour do the two Houses meet?
Q&A #64: What are the customary proceedings when the House of Representatives meets?
Q&A #65: What are the customary proceedings when the Senate meets?
Q&A #66: What business can be transacted by unanimous consent?
Q&A #67: How are record votes taken in Congress?
Q&A #68: Are there time limitations on debate in Congress?
Q&A #69: Are there time limitations on debate in Congress?
Q&A #70: How do Members of Congress introduce bills?
Q&A #72: What are the stages of a bill in Congress?
Q&A #73: What courses are open to the President when a bill is presented to him?
Q&A #74: What happens to a bill after it becomes a law?
Q&A #75: Are the proceedings of Congress published and preserved?
Q&A #76: What are joint sessions and joint meetings?
Q&A #78: Are visitors allowed to listen to the proceedings of Congress?
» The Committee System
Q&A #79: Has Congress ever altered its committee organization?
Q&A #80: What is a conference committee?
Q&A #81: What are Congressional standing committees and why are they necessary?
Q&A #82: What are the standing committees of the House?
Q&A #83: What are the standing committees of the Senate?
Q&A #84: How are members of the standing committees elected?
Q&A #85: What constitutes a quorum of a standing committee of the House and of the Senate?
Q&A #86: What is a select committee?
Q&A #87: What are joint committees and how are they established?
Q&A #88: Do congressional committees hold hearings on all bills referred to them?
Q&A #90: Are committee hearings open to the public?
Q&A #91: What is meant by the ‘‘seniority rule’’?
Q&A #92: How is the exective branch organized?
Q&A #93: What is the Executive Office of the President?
Q&A #94: Is the U.S. President comparable to a reigning monarch, a prime minister, or a premier?
Q&A #95: How is the President addressed?
Q&A #96: What are the enumerated or express constitutional powers of the President?
Q&A #97: What are the implied constitutional powers of the President?
Q&A #98: