AP Gov Legislative Quiz Review

Which of the following statements accurately summarizes the reasoning for the decision in Baker v. Carr(1962) ? A Because rural districts had fewer people, representation was unevenly distributed; thus, Baker was denied equal protection under the law. B To ensure equal protection under the law, there should be an equal number of rural and urban districts in a state. C There should be redistricting every ten years at the federal level, but the state can choose not to redistrict at the state and local levels. D Congressional redistricting must involve traditionally excluded groups in the process or it violates the equal protection clause.

Because rural districts had fewer people, representation was unevenly distributed; thus, Baker was denied equal protection under the law.

A "cloture motion" passed in the Senate does which of the following? A Returns a bill to committee. B Cuts off debate on a bill. C Criticizes a senator guilty of improprieties. D Removes a President who has been impeached by the House. E Brings a bill directly to a vote without formal committee approval.

Cuts off debate on a bill.

Which of the following powers is shared by the House of Representatives and the Senate? A Holding trials of impeachment B Establishing federal courts C Approving treaties D Holding confirmation hearings E Approving major presidential appointments

Establishing federal courts

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the rules for debate used by the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? A House of Representatives Debate is unlimited. Senate Debate is unlimited. B House of Representatives Members can filibuster. Senate Members cannot filibuster. C House of Representatives Debate is limited. Senate Members can filibuster. D House of Representatives Members cannot filibuster. Senate Only the majority leader can filibuster.

House of Representatives Debate is limited. Senate Members can filibuster.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? A House of Representatives The majority and minority parties control legislative scheduling and rules equally. Senate Minority party members can threaten to filibuster a bill the majority party wants to pass. B House of Representatives The Constitution's framers intended it to reflect the will of the people. Senate The Constitution's framers designed it to represent the interests of the states. C House of Representatives Most legislative work takes place in the standing committees. Senate Based on its size, it tends to have stricter rules affecting the legislative process. D House of Representatives Members serve two-year terms with a term limit of up to twelve years. Senate Members serve six-year terms with no term limits.

House of Representatives The Constitution's framers intended it to reflect the will of the people. Senate The Constitution's framers designed it to represent the interests of the states.

A member of the House of Representatives who wishes to be influential in the House itself would most likely seek a place on which of the following committees? A Agriculture B International Relations C Transportation and Infrastructure D Rules E Veterans' Affairs

Rules

Which of the following enumerated powers would permit Congress to stimulate the economy by hiring unemployed citizens? A The power to create immigration policies B The power to regulate interstate commerce C The power to pass a federal budget D The power of legislative oversight

The power to pass a federal budget

If legislation passes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate but each version is slightly different, the conflicting bills are sent to A a standing committee of each house for a vote B an ad hoc committee for judicial review C the Rules Committee of each house for reconciliation and compromise D the majority and minority leaders of both houses for compromise E a conference committee for review and compromise

a conference committee for review and compromise

A committee chair in the House of Representatives is always A the member with the longest service on the committee B the member with the longest service in the House C a representative of the Speaker D a member of the majority party in the chamber E a trusted ally of the President

a member of the majority party in the chamber

The United States Constitution says that Congress has the power to coin money. This is an example of A an enumerated power B an implied power C an inherent power D a reserved power E a concurrent power

an enumerated power

Establishing the boundaries of United States congressional districts to give one party an advantage over another party is referred to as A raiding B apportionment C reapportionment D gerrymandering E filibustering

gerrymandering

"Pork barrel" legislation helps the reelection chances of a member of Congress because such legislation A gives the member of Congress national standing and coverage on national television news B helps earn the member of Congress a reputation for service to his or her district C attracts campaign contributions from ideological political action committees (PACs) D prevents other candidates from claiming that the member of Congress is too liberal for his or her district E requires the member of Congress to travel extensively

helps earn the member of Congress a reputation for service to his or her district

A difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that in the House A legislative activity on the floor is more constrained by rules B committees are less important in the decision-making process C junior members have more influence over legislative decisions D party leaders are less powerful E bills are more likely to be amended on the floor

legislative activity on the floor is more constrained by rules

Congressional standing committees are best described as A specially appointed investigative bodies B joint committees of the two houses of Congress C committees created for each session D permanent subject-matter committees E advisory staff agencies

permanent subject-matter committees

Enumerated powers of the federal government include all of the following EXCEPT the power to A coin money B declare war C regulate interstate commerce D regulate intrastate commerce E tax

regulate intrastate commerce

An example of a discretionary item in the federal budget is A interest on the public debt B spending on national parks C Social Security payments D veterans' pensions E liquidation of prior obligations

spending on national parks

Congressional district boundaries are usually redrawn every ten years by the A Bureau of the Census B state legislatures C President D House Rules Committee E Federal Election Commission

state legislatures

Fiscal policies refer to the government's power to A regulate specific industries B tax and spend C reapportion congressional seats D control the supply of money E enforce treaties

tax and spend