Question

Which of the following examples of legislation could originate only in the House of Representatives?
A bill that sets limits on the number of terms Congress members may serve

A bill that establishes a new federal agency to oversee education

A bill that increases taxes in order to build a new interstate highway

A bill that places restrictions on pollution output by automotive factories

Answer 1

(( The bill to increase taxes for the highway. )) That bill would be considered a "money bill" which has to originate in the House of Representatives. Other bills could originate in either house.

This little legislative tradition stems from the British system, where only the lower house can control money bills. This was because in Britain at the time, the lower house was able to control who formed the government, and it was seen as the sole responsibility of the house. Blocking financial supply in the British system is also a valid way to force the government out of power. The upper house doesn't have the power to control money bills so it can't unduly control who gets to form the government. As such, parts of that tradition linger on in the US system.

Incidentally, Australia uses the British system, but its upper house *does* have the power to control money bills, which caused a storm of controversy the one time it used that power

Answer 2

Oh thank you!