Unit 2 progress check: MCQ part A

"Presidents tend to assert their power and if Congress does not claim its duty to check and balance the executive, then the balance tilts heavily toward the executive branch. For example, the congressional resolution authorizing the United States to respond to the al-Qaeda attacks against the United States in 2001 was applied far beyond the initial campaign in Afghanistan. It was interpreted by George W. Bush's administration as justifying findings that the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war did not apply in the war on terrorism; that harsh interrogation tactics were permissible . . . ; and that the use of intercepts of telephone conversations between American citizens and people abroad was condoned. . . . When, after the Supreme Court ruled in 2006 . . . that the Bush administration was in fact violating the Geneva Conventions, . . . Congress was compelled to pass new laws on detainee treatment. Bush signed the law but then added a separate 'signing statement.' . . . President Bush declared that he would implement the law 'in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President to supervise the unitary executive branch and as Commander in Chief . . . [in order to protect] the American people from further terrorist attacks.'" According to the passage, an attempt by Congress to place limitations on presidential power through legislation led to which of the following?

A signing statement by the president that declared that the legislation would not limit presidential power

In a press briefing, the White House press secretary issues a statement criticizing members of Congress who refuse to act on the president's judicial nominees to the federal courts. This scenario best illustrates which of the following?

Members of the White House staff are strategically used to help the president pass an agenda.

Which of the following was the ruling in Shaw v. Reno (1993) ?

Racial gerrymandering violates the Fourteenth Amendment.

In which year did the federal government experience its highest surplus based on the bar graph?

2000

Which of the following is the best example of a president using the bully pulpit?

A president making a televised speech to gain public support for a policy initiative

Which of the following best describes the holding in Baker v. Carr (1962) ?

Congressional redistricting is subject to judicial review.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS 1945—2016 Which of the following statements is supported by the data in the information graphic?

Democratic presidents issued more executive orders than Republican presidents did between 1945 and 2016.

Which of the following is the correct pairing of procedures or rules of each house of the legislative branch?

House of Representatives: Has a Rules Committee that decides how long debate will be on most bills. Senate: Has use of the filibuster and cloture, which can help the minority to defeat a bill.

The House and the Senate have some different constitutional responsibilities. Which of the following pairs correctly matches House and Senate constitutional responsibilities?

House of Representatives: Initiates revenue bills. Senate: Ratifies treaties.

Which of the following is an accurate pair of descriptions of the two chambers of Congress?

House of Representatives: Serves 2-year terms, Senate: Serves 6-year terms

According to the line graph, which budget category will account for the least spending in 2024?

Net interest

Which of the following is the best example of a president using technology to communicate and obtain public support for a public policy agenda?

President John F. Kennedy outlining Cold War challenges and urging Americans to civic action in his inaugural address

Which of the following correctly describes the facts in Shaw v. Reno (1993) ?

Redistricting in order to confine minority voters to a majority in one district was challenged under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Social Security will account for how about much of projected spending in 2024, according to the line graph?

Six percent

PRESIDENTIAL VETOES BY CONTROL OF CONGRESS Which of the following is a trend based on the data?

The more chambers of Congress the president's party controls, the less likely the president is to veto a bill.

Percentage of International Agreements That Were Executive Agreements Which of the following statements about the use of executive agreements by presidents is supported by the data in the pie charts?

The percentage of international agreements that were executive agreements has increased since 1839.

President Theodore Roosevelt took his case directly to the American people to gain public support for his progressive reform initiatives by appearing in a movie newsreel. This type of presidential communication is an example of which of the following?

Using the bully pulpit

Prior to his confirmation, Democrats on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions questioned President Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price about the ethics of some of his investments. He was eventually confirmed with support of Republicans in the Senate. This check on presidential power illustrates that

the process of confirming members of the president's Cabinet can lead to conflict with members of the Senate

"Presidents tend to assert their power and if Congress does not claim its duty to check and balance the executive, then the balance tilts heavily toward the executive branch. For example, the congressional resolution authorizing the United States to respond to the al-Qaeda attacks against the United States in 2001 was applied far beyond the initial campaign in Afghanistan. It was interpreted by George W. Bush's administration as justifying findings that the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war did not apply in the war on terrorism; that harsh interrogation tactics were permissible . . . ; and that the use of intercepts of telephone conversations between American citizens and people abroad was condoned. . . . When, after the Supreme Court ruled in 2006 . . . that the Bush administration was in fact violating the Geneva Conventions, . . . Congress was compelled to pass new laws on detainee treatment. Bush signed the law but then added a separate 'signing statement.' . . . President Bush declared that he would implement the law 'in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President to supervise the unitary executive branch and as Commander in Chief . . . [in order to protect] the American people from further terrorist attacks.'" According to the passage, which of the following occurred as a direct result of the congressional resolution authorizing action against al-Qaeda?

President Bush interpreted it broadly to allow him to conduct the war on terrorism without much further consultation with Congress.

"Presidents tend to assert their power and if Congress does not claim its duty to check and balance the executive, then the balance tilts heavily toward the executive branch. For example, the congressional resolution authorizing the United States to respond to the al-Qaeda attacks against the United States in 2001 was applied far beyond the initial campaign in Afghanistan. It was interpreted by George W. Bush's administration as justifying findings that the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war did not apply in the war on terrorism; that harsh interrogation tactics were permissible . . . ; and that the use of intercepts of telephone conversations between American citizens and people abroad was condoned. . . . When, after the Supreme Court ruled in 2006 . . . that the Bush administration was in fact violating the Geneva Conventions, . . . Congress was compelled to pass new laws on detainee treatment. Bush signed the law but then added a separate 'signing statement.' . . . President Bush declared that he would implement the law 'in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President to supervise the unitary executive branch and as Commander in Chief . . . [in order to protect] the American people from further terrorist attacks.'" Which of the following is likely to occur as a result when Congress refuses to act as a check on the power of the president, according to the main idea of the passage?

The president will be able to push the limits of constitutional authority.

On February 13, 2016, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement that the Supreme Court vacancy should be left to the next president of the United States, who would be elected that November. Nonetheless, President Obama nominated circuit judge Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy. The Senate judiciary committee never held a hearing nor was a vote scheduled on the nomination. The scenario demonstrates that

because federal judges are lifetime appointments, Senate confirmation can oftentimes be challenging