legislative test

The number of United States Senators each state receives is:

2

How many voting members are there in the United States House of Representatives?

435

A United States Senator serves a term in office how many years before he/she must be re-elected?

6

If an official was impeached by the House, how many Senators would have to vote for conviction in order for the official to be found guilty?

67

What is federalism?

A division of power between the national and state governments.

Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

Anti-Federalists wanted citizens have guarantees of protections from government tyranny.

Which of the following are powers that only the House of Representatives has?

Appoints the president if not a clear winner, Impeachment,Revenue bills start here

Which of the following are powers that only the Senate has?

Approve all appointments, Hold the trial after the impeachment, Approve all treaties

Normally, in order for a bill to become a law which of the following must occur

Approved by the House Correct! Approved by the Senate Correct! Signed by the President

The number of United States Representatives assigned to each state is

Based on each state's population.

This is used to determine each state's number of representatives.

Census

Jason thinks he has a great idea for a law. What is the best action for Jason to take to get the law passed?

Contract his local Congressional representative about his idea.

Which statement BEST describes the doctrine of "Dual Federalism"?

Even though the national government has ultimate supremacy, states are also "supreme" in their own powers.

Which is an example of pork barrel spending?

Funding for a bridge added to a bill at the request of the congressmen where the bridge will be built.

What is the manipulation of the redistricting process for political gain?

Gerrymandering

The President of the United States is being formally investigated for being suspected of engaging in illegal activities in the carrying out of his duties. Who would officially handle this investigation?

House of Representatives

In which order are the following actions take on congressional bills?

Introduced on the Floor - Committee action - Debated/Voted on Floor

Which is the BEST title for the chart below? ? Veto Override Reject presidential nominations for federal judges Impeach and remove president

Legislative Branch Checks on the Executive Branch

All of the following are duties of citizens of the U.S. EXCEPT

Owning property.

What is the title of the Senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President?

President Pro Tempore

The decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966) more clearly defined what constitutional issue?

Protection from self-incrimination

Treaties signed by the United States President and a foreign nation must be ratified by the

Senate

The President vetoed a bill from Congress. Which of these situations would result in the bill's veto being overridden by Congress?

The House passes it 400 to 35 and the Senate passes it 70 to 30.

What role does the Executive Branch play in checking the power of Congress?

The President may veto Congressional legislation.

What part of the Federal government can prevent the President of the United States from controlling the Supreme Court by blocking appointments to the bench?

The Senate

The phrase in the Declaration of Independence stating "that governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" illustrates the principle of

The Social Contract theory.

Which of these is an example of a "checks and balance" power of Congress?

The power to impeach public officials.

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that the national bank was constitutional even though the Constitution did not specifically grant Congress the power to establish a bank. Which statement BEST describes the significance of this ruling?

The use of the implied powers was upheld.

What is the primary role of Congress?

To make laws

Members of the House of Representatives serve a term of

Two years

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 conference committee for review and compromise

The Articles of Confederation represented the Americans' distrust of

a strong central government.

Power only Senate has

approving Presidential appointments and treaties.

Which article of the United States Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch?

article 1

Which European philosopher proposed that dividing the government into three branches would prevent any one person or group from gaining total control?

baron de Montesquieu

Third parties have MOST often contributed to US politics by

causing major parties to adopt their ideas.

The President's vetoing of a bill that the Congress approves is an example of

checks and balances.

An example of an "expressed power" given to the national government in the Constitution is

coinage of money.

Because of the separation of powers in the United States government, the Legislative branch may enact laws, the Executive branch may veto laws, and the Judicial branch may:

decide that a law is unconstitutional.

The government calls you one day and says that they are going to build a highway that goes right through your house. They offer you a fair amount of money. You must accept the government's offer and move. The government is practicing its right to ________________________________.

eminent domain

Congress may not pass ______________ laws, laws that make and act a crime after the act has been committed.

ex post facto

Decentralization of political authority in the United States is chiefly supported by

federalism.

The Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the principle of

judicial review.

This is a person hired by a private group to influence government decisions.

lobbyist

What word BEST completes this principle of the United States government?

reserved

What is the title of the presiding officer of the House of Representatives?

speaker of the House

Amendments Four thorough Eight deal with rights of

the accused.

If a state law is in conflict with a national law, a state judge usually will

uphold the Constitutional law.

The federal government has tried to pressure states into accepting national speed limits and national drinking ages by

withholding highway funding.