AP U.S. Government and Politics · Past multiple choice · Question 10
Revenue legislation
Recall what the Constitution requires of every bill that raises revenue.
Lessons this question tests
1 Read the question
The question is College Board's: sample question 10 in AP U.S. Government and Politics Course and Exam Description. It starts on page 182 of the PDF.
Open Question 10 (PDF, page 182)
2 Pick your answer
3 Check the explanation
Why the answer is B open once you have picked
Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution requires every bill for raising revenue to start in the House, though the Senate may propose or concur with amendments. This is the origination clause.
The framers gave the House this role because its members are elected directly by the people every two years, so taxing power starts in the chamber closest to the voters. Originally senators were chosen by state legislatures, which made the difference sharper.
Each choice
- A. Conference committees settle differences between House and Senate versions of any bill, not only revenue bills, and the Constitution does not require them at all.
- B (correct). The origination clause in Article I, Section 7 requires revenue bills to start in the House.
- C. A two-thirds Senate vote is needed for treaties and to convict on impeachment, and both chambers need two thirds to override a veto. Revenue bills pass by simple majority.
- D. The Court reviews laws only when a real case reaches it. It never approves bills in advance, which would be an advisory opinion.
Question and answer key: College Board. The title and summary are ours, and so is the explanation.