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Texas State University
POSI 2310 AP US Gov Unit 2: Legislative
Branch Only Vocabulary Questions and
Answers 2026 Latest Update
Article 1 of the Constitution Ans: describes the legislative branch
Legislative Branch Ans: purpose: make laws
symbol: power of the purse
who: Congress (House of Reps & Senate)
Congress Ans: legislative branch
made up of the House of Representatives (HoR) and the Senate
bicameral Ans: two chambers
Enumerated Powers Ans: also called expressed powers or formal powers:
powers that are explicitly listed in the constitution
Implied Powers Ans: powers that are not specifically in the Constitution
sometimes called informal powers
Congress - Necessary and Proper Clause
Executive - executive vested powers
House of Representatives (Basics) Ans: 435 voting members
based on state population and represent individual districts
2 year terms
25 years old
© 2026 All rights reserved
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US citizen for 7 years
less formal (lower chamber)
Kieler called HoR sometimes
Senate (Basics) Ans: 100 members (2 per state - represent whole state)
6 year terms (1/3 elected every 2 years)
30 years old
US citizen for 9 years
more formal chamber (upper chamber)
Term Ans: length a person is in office
Example: President has a 4 year term
Constituency (and constituents) Ans: a body of voters in a given area who
elect an official
constituents are people who the elected official represent
example: senator constituency is their whole state
House only Powers Ans: start revenue bills and break ties in presidential
elections
impeachment (shared): issue articles of impeachment
Senate only Powers Ans: Ratify treaties (2/3 vote) and confirm presidential
appointments (secretaries, ambassadors, and judges)
impeachment (shared): run trial, convict, and remove from office
Congressional Powers Ans: Lawmaking, raise revenue, borrowing & coining
money, declaring war, regulate commerce, create federal courts, oversight of
bureaucracy
Power of the Purse Ans: formal power given to congress to raise and spend
money
allows the to check the bureaucracy by appropriating or withholding funds
© 2026 All rights reserved
Texas State University
POSI 2310 AP US Gov Unit 2: Legislative
Branch Only Vocabulary Questions and
Answers 2026 Latest Update
Article 1 of the Constitution Ans: describes the legislative branch
Legislative Branch Ans: purpose: make laws
symbol: power of the purse
who: Congress (House of Reps & Senate)
Congress Ans: legislative branch
made up of the House of Representatives (HoR) and the Senate
bicameral Ans: two chambers
Enumerated Powers Ans: also called expressed powers or formal powers:
powers that are explicitly listed in the constitution
Implied Powers Ans: powers that are not specifically in the Constitution
sometimes called informal powers
Congress - Necessary and Proper Clause
Executive - executive vested powers
House of Representatives (Basics) Ans: 435 voting members
based on state population and represent individual districts
2 year terms
25 years old
© 2026 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
US citizen for 7 years
less formal (lower chamber)
Kieler called HoR sometimes
Senate (Basics) Ans: 100 members (2 per state - represent whole state)
6 year terms (1/3 elected every 2 years)
30 years old
US citizen for 9 years
more formal chamber (upper chamber)
Term Ans: length a person is in office
Example: President has a 4 year term
Constituency (and constituents) Ans: a body of voters in a given area who
elect an official
constituents are people who the elected official represent
example: senator constituency is their whole state
House only Powers Ans: start revenue bills and break ties in presidential
elections
impeachment (shared): issue articles of impeachment
Senate only Powers Ans: Ratify treaties (2/3 vote) and confirm presidential
appointments (secretaries, ambassadors, and judges)
impeachment (shared): run trial, convict, and remove from office
Congressional Powers Ans: Lawmaking, raise revenue, borrowing & coining
money, declaring war, regulate commerce, create federal courts, oversight of
bureaucracy
Power of the Purse Ans: formal power given to congress to raise and spend
money
allows the to check the bureaucracy by appropriating or withholding funds
© 2026 All rights reserved
