Court Reporter Practice Exam

What type of legislative body is the Congress of the United States?

1. Unicameral

2. Bicameral

3. Multicameral

4. Tri-cameral

The correct answer is: Bicameral

The Congress of the United States is a bicameral legislative body, which means it consists of two separate chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. This structure was established by the U.S. Constitution as a compromise between differing views on representation, with the Senate providing equal representation for each state and the House reflecting the population of the states. This bicameral system allows for a more thorough examination of legislation, as each chamber can provide its own perspective and must agree on a bill before it becomes law. A unicameral body would have only one chamber, which could lead to less debate and less representation of diverse interests. Multicameral and tri-cameral structures, while existing in other jurisdictions, are not applicable to the U.S. Congress. Therefore, recognizing Congress as a bicameral legislature is essential for understanding its function and the legislative process in the United States.