2025 civics test · Question 20 · System of Government
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
Any one of these answers is accepted
- Writes laws
- Declares war
- Makes the federal budget
What this means
Congress has several powers, and naming one answers the question:
- Writes laws (its main job)
- Declares war
- Makes the federal budget
Congress can also raise taxes, coin money, and approve treaties and appointments. But the three answers above are the simplest to remember.
Because Congress holds the power to make laws and control spending, it is one of the strongest checks on the president and the courts.
A safe answer is “writes laws” or “declares war.”
Why this is on the test
This 2025 question checks that you understand what the legislative branch actually does, beyond just making laws.
How this question is asked
On the 2025 civics test, the officer asks up to 20 of the 128 questions out loud and you pass by answering 12 correctly. You answer in your own words. There is no multiple choice and nothing to write down for the civics portion.
Related questions
More from System of Government.
- 16 Name the three branches of government.
- 17 The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
- 18 What part of the federal government writes laws?
- 19 What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
- 21 How many U.S. senators are there?
- 22 How long is a term for a U.S. senator?