AP Gov Unit 2 Part 2
In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton argued that the federal judiciary "is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power." Which of the following statements represents a reason he gave for this argument?
It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions.
Supreme Court justices were given tenure subject to good behavior by the framers of the Constitution in order to ensure that
Justices are free from direct political pressures
Appointments to the federal judiciary are often contentious for which of the following reasons?
Life terms for federal judges mean that presidential appointments will continue to have influence long after the president's term is over.
The president is most likely to use an executive order to make important policy when
A compromise cannot be reached with Congress.
In Federalist No. 70, Alexander Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for
A single executive who can respond quickly to crises.
A non-litigant group (someone who is not directly involved with the case) or individual that wishes to influence the court in a specific case can file a(n)
Amicus Curiae Brief
Which of the following statements describes a difficulty presidents face in the policy implementation process?
Because of civil service laws, it is not easy for the president to remove professional bureaucrats when they disagree with the president's agenda.
Congress is most likely to exert oversight of the executive bureaucracy in which of the following ways?
Controlling an executive agency's annual budget
Which of the following is NOT a way the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government?
Determining if Congress is spending money appropriately
The President is not happy with how the Secretary of Education has been implementing his agenda. Which of the following is the most efficient step the president could take to fix the situation?
Fire and appoint a new Secretary of Education who will agree with his agenda
Bureaucratic rule-making is best defined as
Guidelines issued by government agencies, which provide specific details about how a policy will be implemented.
Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs are concerned about the quality of services at hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Which of the following is an action the committee can take to address the problem?
Holding a hearing and subpoenaing high-level officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs to testify.
The doctrine of stare decisis is significant for which of the following reasons?
It is the principle that affirms that courts are bound by prior judicial decisions
Which of the following statements is true regarding the Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
It overturned part of an act of Congress.
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of original and appellate jurisdiction?
OJ: Cases where testimony is heard, guilt or innocence is decided AJ: A panel of judges determines if the law was applied appropriately
The majority party in the Senate is concerned that the Supreme Court has made a number of ideologically dangerous and controversial rulings. Which of the following actions would the Senate take in their attempt to limit the Supreme Court's power?
Pass legislation that would limit the impact of the Supreme Court's recent rulings.
Which of the following statements describes the author's main argument in the passage (Power and the Presidency, From Kennedy to Obama)?
Presidential power in foreign policy has expanded since the beginning of the twentieth century.
*During his confirmation hearing, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that Roe v. Wade (1973) "is the settled law of the land." This statement suggests that in a case that challenges the constitutionality of legislation restricting privacy and reproductive rights, which of the following should be a key factor in the court's ruling?
Reliance on legal precedent
Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety?
The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy?
The Secretary of Defense being called to testify before a congressional committee.
*Which of the following explains why the author believes presidential power has expanded(Power and the Presidency, From Kennedy to Obama)?
The United States has emerged as a global power, which has enhanced the power of the president in foreign affairs.
Which of the following represents a reason that a president might use a signing statement to express displeasure with a bill as opposed to issuing a veto?
The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto.
Which of the following is the BEST example of how separation of powers creates friction between the executive and legislative branches in the policy-making process?
The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress doesn't take action
All of the following serve as checks on the power of the federal courts EXCEPT:
The voters can oust federal judges in national elections
Which of the following accurately compares a treaty and executive agreement?
Treaty: Must be ratified by 2/3rds vote in the Senate Ex Ag: Usually over routine matters that don't require Congressional approval
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of judicial activism and judicial restraint?
Act: Is practiced when courts overrule legislative acts or shape policy Res: Is exercised when courts refrain from interfering with policies created by elected bodies
Which of the following accurately compares independent regulatory commissions and government corporations?
IRC: Establishes rules for businesses to follow GC: Operates a business at low cost for the peo
The idea that judges ought to freely strike down laws that are inconsistent with their understanding of the Constitution, like what happened in US v. Lopez is known as
Judicial Activism
Which of the following is true regarding how communication technology has changed the Presidency?
Modern technology allows the president to respond quickly to crises and inform the public of his actions.
Which of the following is a difference between the power of nineteenth-century presidents and that of the modern president according to the passage (Power and the Presidency, From Kennedy to Obama)?
Presidents in the nineteenth century had to contend with congressional committees, which had significant powers in foreign affairs.
Which of the following best explains the difference in the number of bureaucrats employed by the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security?
The Department of Education primarily addresses state issues, whereas the Department of Homeland Security primarily addresses national issues.
Which of the following was a likely result of the decision in Wickard v. Filburn that contributed to the Court's later decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) ?
The expansive interpretation of the commerce clause by the Supreme Court which greatly extended the power of Congress drew criticism that eventually led to a more narrow interpretation.
*Which of the following factors most likely led to shifts in Supreme Court decision making over time?
The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time.
*When senatorial courtesy is a factor in a nomination of a federal judge, the president will most likely
consult with the senator from that state before nominating a candidate
In the process and structure of policymaking, "iron triangles" refer to the
networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process.
In Baker v. Carr (1962), the Supreme Court ruled that a state legislature would have to redraw their representative districts in order to comply with the Constitution. Which of the following potential difficulties could have resulted from this decision?
The state legislature could have refused to implement the decision, leading to a crisis in the legitimacy of the Supreme Court's authority.