Question

. Under the U.S. Constitution, what is the chief responsibility assigned to the vice president of the United States? A. attend official meetings on behalf of the president B. preside over Senate sessions C. cast tie-breaking votes in the House D. advise the president

Short answer

B. preside over Senate sessions

Step-by-step solution

Read the Question Carefully

Understand what is being asked. The question is about the chief responsibility assigned to the Vice President of the United States by the U.S. Constitution.

Analyze the Options Provided

Examine each of the given options (A, B, C, and D) and recall the constitutional duties of the Vice President. Remember that we are looking for the primary or chief responsibility as stated in the Constitution.

Eliminate Incorrect Options

First, identify and eliminate the options that do not match the primary constitutional duties. For example, the Vice President does not primarily attend official meetings on behalf of the President (Option A), cast tie-breaking votes in the House (Option C), or has the chief role of advising the President (Option D).

Confirm the Correct Option

According to the U.S. Constitution, the Vice President’s chief responsibility is to preside over the Senate (Option B). This includes the power to cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate.

Key concepts

U.S. Constitution

The U.S. Constitution is a foundational document that outlines the structure of the federal government, defining the powers and responsibilities of its branches.
It consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments.
The Constitution assigns specific powers to various branches to ensure a balance of power.
For example, Article II outlines the executive powers, including those of the President and Vice President.

Senate

The U.S. Senate is one-half of the bicameral legislature, the other being the House of Representatives.
Each state has two Senators, making a total of 100 members.
The Senate has unique responsibilities such as approving treaties and confirming presidential appointments.
One key responsibility of the Vice President under the Constitution is to preside over Senate sessions.

Tie-breaking vote

A tie-breaking vote by the Vice President is a crucial power given by the Constitution.
When the Senate is deadlocked (with a 50-50 vote), the Vice President can cast the deciding vote.
This responsibility helps to resolve legislative stalemates and ensures that decisions can be made effectively.
The Vice President does not usually engage in daily Senate activities but steps in for these critical moments.