Answer Close-Reading Questions
Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.
• What are the terms and requirements for members of the Senate and House of Representatives? (Key Details)
Members of the Senate serve six-year terms, and members of the House serve two-year terms. Someone has to be at least 30 years old and have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years to be a senator. Someone has to be at least 25 years old and have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years to be a representative.
• What evidence supports the idea that passing laws is an uphill battle? (Text Evidence)
In most cases, a bill can become law only if it is approved by the president and by a majority in both the House and the Senate. A single senator can stop or delay a bill from becoming a law using a filibuster. Between January 2019 and January 2021, only 344 of 16,601 proposed bills became law. Sometimes lawmakers introduce bills even when they know the bills don’t have enough support to pass.
• What are the main jobs of Congress? (Text Features)
The main jobs of Congress include making laws, setting taxes, and determining how that money is spent. Lawmakers also hold oversight hearings to make sure the government is working properly. Congress has the sole power to declare war. Lawmakers’ other jobs include regulating trade between states and between the U.S. and other countries and making sure the U.S. Postal Service is able to deliver the mail on time.