AP GOVT UNIT 2 PT 2 Test

An advantage bureaucrats in the federal government have over the president in the policy-making process is that bureaucrats... A. Usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the president lacks due to elections B. Find it easier to gain public support that the president C. Control the budgetary process D. Have oversight responsibility for bureaucratic policy

A. Usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the president lacks due to elections

Bureaucratic regulations are essential components of bureaucracies because they... A. Enable the agency to increase its budget after a budget is passed by Congress B. Provide clear direction for implementation of bureaucratic policies C. Can allow patronage in hiring civil service employees D. Enable the agency to disregard congressional oversight of that agency

B. Provide clear direction for implementation of bureaucratic policies

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) receives a complaint that a factory is violating a provision of the Clean Air and Clean Water acts passed by Congress. Which of the following actions can the agency take to fix the problem? A. Direct the president to enforce the law B. Regulate and issue penalties to the factory that violated the laws C. Assist the courts in deciding what the penalty should be D. Tell the appropriate congressional committee to perform oversight functions

B. Regulate and issue penalties to the factory that violated the laws

The Supreme Court upholds a law passed by Congress as constitutional. The chief justice states in the majority opinion that previous decisions supporting Congress' power to make laws based on the commerce clause of the Constitution were the basis for the decision. Which of the following legal concepts did the chief justice apply in writing the opinion? A. Compliance monitoring B. Stare decisis C. Overlapping jurisdiction D. Judicial activism

B. Stare decisis

Which of the following best explains why the Senate has become more polarized when it confirms Supreme Court appointments? A. The president does not consult with judiciary committee members of both parties B. Supreme Court nominees reflect the ideological positions of the president who appoints them C. The president nominates justices who reflect a moderate judicial philosophy D. Senate rules make it more difficult for Supreme Court appointments to be confirmed

B. Supreme Court nominees reflect the ideological positions of the president who appoints them

If the Supreme Court reaches a tie on a decision on a case which of the following happens A. The Supreme Court Chief Justice gets to decide the verdict B. The next lowest court's ruling stands. C. The Vice President gets to break the tie D.The Supreme Court must take the case again next year

B. The next lowest court's ruling stands.

Which of the following is most likely an effect of the trend for a decrease in congressional hearings since 1990? A. An increase in accountability of the bureaucracy B. A decrease in the length of regulatory bills passed by Congress C. A decrease in congressional oversight as a mechanism to control the bureaucracy D. An increase in the authority of the House of Representatives over the bureaucracy

C. A decrease in congressional oversight as a mechanism to control the bureaucracy

Which of the following describes the origin of the United States court system (State District> State Appellate>State Supreme> Supreme or Fed. District>Fed. Appellate> Supreme Court). A. Article II of the Constitution established the three-tiered court system and the jurisdiction of each court in each tier. B. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) allowed the Supreme Court to establish other federal courts. C. Article III of the Constitution established a Supreme Court, while other federal courts were established by Congress. D. Marbury v. Madison (1803) allowed Congress to create other federal courts.

C. Article III of the Constitution established a Supreme Court, while other federal courts were established by Congress.

Which of the following statements best explains the diagram? (State District> State Appellate>State Supreme> Supreme or Fed. District>Fed. Appellate> Supreme Court). A. The United States District Court is the starting place for all cases going to the United States Supreme Court. B. State supreme courts have the final say in all cases arising in the states. C. Cases arising at both the state and federal level may be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. D. The number of federal courts is greater than the number of state courts.

C. Cases arising at both the state and federal level may be appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

Agreement among four justices on the Supreme Court is always sufficient to A. decide the outcome of a case B. write a majority opinion C. overturn a lower court's opinion D. accept a case for consideration

D. accept a case for consideration

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... A. the Senate prefers to pick members of the Supreme Court B. there are very few qualified individuals who can serve as Supreme Court justices C. because the judicial branch is elected, the Supreme Court must be responsive to public opinion D. because federal judges are lifetime appointments, Senate confirmation can oftentimes be challenging

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

How do linkage institutions affect political participation?

The five tasks political parties should perform if they are to serve as effective linkage institutions are that they pick candidates, run campaigns, give cues to voters, articulate policies, and coordinate policy making.

A. Describe a similarity or difference in the number of federal court judges who are Caucasian to the number of federal court judges who are Non-white, and draw a conclusion about that similarity or difference. B. Describe a similarity or difference in the number of federal court judges who are men to the number of federal court judges who are female, and draw a conclusion about that similarity or difference. C. Explain how the process of nominating and approving federal judges has impacted the racial/ethnic and gender makeup of federal court judges.

A) there are more caucasian judges than there are non-white B) there's half the amount than there are female C) the president is both white and male and will be more likely to nominate judges that are similar to them in race, gender, and political views.

A newly appointed cabinet secretary must fill nonpolitical positions in the agency she runs. Which of the following best describes how that position is filled by the merit system? A. Choosing the applicants who score the highest on a civil service test B. Getting the Senate to confirm the most qualified applicants C. The president giving the cabinet secretary the names of applicants D. A corporate head-hunter interviewing applicants and submitting names

A. Choosing the applicants who score the highest on a civil service test

In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the United States Supreme Court ruled that a Georgia law violated the U.S. Constitution. In response to Chief Justice John Marshall's majority opinion, President Andrew Jackson said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." Which of the following ideas regarding government does President Jackson's statement exhibit? A. Since the Supreme Court has no enforcement mechanism, the executive and legislative branches can restrict its decisions. B. When the Supreme Court takes an activist approach to decision making, it can influence policy. C. Constitutional amendments have granted the Supreme Court greater power to enforce its decisions. D. Unpopular Supreme Court Justices can be removed by a two-thirds vote in Congress and a presidential signature.

A. Since the Supreme Court has no enforcement mechanism, the executive and legislative branches can restrict its decisions.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a case being decided based on precedent? A. The Supreme Court bases its decision in a case involving the commerce clause on one of its earlier decisions involving the commerce clause. B. The Supreme Court overturns a lower court decision in a case dealing with voter identification laws. C. A state passes a law which contradicts federal law, causing the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the federal government. D. The chief justice of the Supreme Court disagrees with the majority of the other justices and decides to declare a law passed by Congress as unconstitutional.

A. The Supreme Court bases its decision in a case involving the commerce clause on one of its earlier decisions involving the commerce clause.

Which of the following factors most likely led to shifts in Supreme Court decision making over time? A. The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time. B. Rather than pass new legislation, Congress was inclined to refer civil rights legislation to the Supreme Court. C. After 1960, the Supreme Court deferred to the wishes of state and local governments rather than voting to expand the authority of the federal government. D. Constitutional amendments enabled the Supreme Court to issue more liberal decisions.

A. The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the judicial activism and judicial conservatism. Judicial Activism= (A) Judicial Conservatism= (C) A) (A) Only involving civil law; (C) Only involving criminal law B) (A) Interpretation of constitution based on evolving norms and beliefs; (C) Interpretation of Constitution based on strict reading of the words of the Constitution C) (A) Strict Constructionists; (C) Loose Constructionists D) (A) Courts should take an active role in solving society's problems; (C) Courts should interpret law not make law

B) (A) Interpretation of constitution based on evolving norms and beliefs; (C) Interpretation of Constitution based on strict reading of the words of the Constitution

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of an issue network and iron triangles? Issue Networks= (N) Iron Triangles= (T) A) (N) Only take part in issues the public is not very aware of; (T) Only take part in issues the public is very aware of B) (N) Less permanent linkages; (T) More permanent linkages C) (N) State issues only; (T) Federal issues only D) (N) Executive branch is involved; (T) Executive branch is not involved

B) (N) Less permanent linkages; (T) More permanent linkages

The Hatch Act of 1939 did which of the following? A. Created the Department of Agriculture B. Barred federal workers from active participation in some kinds of politics and protected them from political firing C. Created the spoils system D.Banned privatization of any aspects of the federal bureaucracy

B. Barred federal workers from active participation in some kinds of politics and protected them from political firing

In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton states, "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning." Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most relevant to this statement? A. Baker v. Carr (1962) B. Marbury v. Madison (1803) C. Shaw v. Reno (1993) D. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

B. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the process of bureaucratic rule making? A. The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs considers the credentials of a person nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits. B. The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand. C. The president signs Executive Order 13777 intended to "lower regulatory burdens on the American people by implementing and enforcing regulatory reform." D. The Supreme Court denies a writ of certiorari in Freddie H. Mathis v David J. Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which focused on veterans' disability claims

B. The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of a Presidential and Congressional power over the bureaucracy? Presidential= (P) Congressional= (C) A) (P) Can hire and fire heads of departments; (C) Can hire and fire heads of agencies B) (P) Passes laws to reorganize bureaucracy (C) Issues Executive orders to reorganize bureaucracy C) (P) Nominates; (C) Confirms D) (P) Holds hearings; (C) Investigates

C) (P) Nominates; (C) Confirms

A United States Supreme Court justice has announced his retirement at the end of the current Supreme Court term. What is the most likely presidential action in response to this announcement? A. Confer with House leadership to discuss potential nominees B. Confer with the chief justice to discuss potential nominees C. Nominate a federal judge who shares the president's ideology D. Nominate a sitting senator of the majority party

C. Nominate a federal judge who shares the president's ideology

Congress passes a law requiring that all public accommodations provide access for people with disabilities. The United States Supreme Court rules that the law does not apply to the airline industry. Which of the following is the best way for Congress to provide people with disabilities access to the airline industry in light of the Court's ruling? A. Appeal the ruling to the United States Court of Appeals B. Override the court with a two-thirds majority in both chambers C. Pass a new law that specifies that the airlines must provide access for people with disabilities D. Remove members of the Supreme Court who ruled against the law and have the president appoint new justices

C. Pass a new law that specifies that the airlines must provide access for people with disabilities

Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety? A. The Supreme Court will be asked to review the legislation annually. B. States will be empowered to begin automobile manufacturing. C. The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations. D. Mandatory spending will be required in all future federal budgeting for the program.

C. The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations.

Supporters of Hamilton's view that the judiciary is essential in a limited Constitution would point to the fact that... A. The Bill of Rights weakens the authority of the judiciary B. The Executive Branch must carry out the decisions of the judicial branch C. The legislative branch has the power of the purse D. Public opinion is measured before the Court makes its decisions

C. The legislative branch has the power of the purse

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the judiciary and bureaucracy? Judiciary= (J) Bureaucracy= (B) A) (J) Serve for life with good behavior; (B) Elected B) (J) Must be 35; (B) Not mentioned in the Constitution C) (J) Approved by Senate; (B) Approved by Senate D) (J) Can check the power of the legislature; (B) Can be investigated by the legislature

D) (J) Can check the power of the legislature; (B) Can be investigated by the legislature

Which interrelationship best illustrates the concept of the 'iron triangle'? A. The president, Congress, bureaucracy B. Federal government, state, city governments C. Special interest groups, political parties, voters D. Bureaucracies, interest groups, congressional committees

D. Bureaucracies, interest groups, congressional committees

In 1998, Goodyear employee Lilly Ledbetter filed suit against her employer for pay discrimination based on her gender. Though Ledbetter was initially successful, Goodyear appealed the decision and the case went to the Supreme Court. In Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. (2007), the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that sex discrimination complaints must be made within 180 days "after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred," which Ledbetter had failed to do. Which of the following actions could be taken to reverse the impact of the decision? A. Ledbetter could renew her appeal by seeking additional Supreme Court review. B. The president could sign an executive order to alter the Civil Rights Act. C. Ledbetter could pursue her case using the same arguments in state courts. D. Congress could enact legislation to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

D. Congress could enact legislation to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Which of the following can the Supreme Court do to limit the power of the president? A. Bring up impeachment charges against the president B. Declare the president incapable of doing the job C. Reject the legality of a presidential pardon D. Direct the president to reverse an action that was taken by the president if unconstitutional

D. Direct the president to reverse an action that was taken by the president if unconstitutional

In the case Twining v. New Jersey (1908), the Supreme Court held that the Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination is not applicable to the states. In 1964 the Supreme Court overruled the decision in Malloy v. Hogan (1964) and held that the right was incorporated to the states. This scenario illustrates which of the following? A. The Supreme Court oftentimes overrules lower court decisions. B. Constitutional amendments can be used to overturn previous Supreme Court decisions. C. The executive branch can sometimes evade Supreme Court decisions. D. Ideological changes to the Supreme Court can lead to the overturning of precedent.

D. Ideological changes to the Supreme Court can lead to the overturning of precedent.

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? A. It has the power of the sword and the power of judgment but lacks the power of the purse. B. Each branch must be given the ability to defend its power and check the others. C. The federal government is further from the people and thus less accountable. D. It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions.

D. It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions.

The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) relates to foundational documents in which of the following ways? A. The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution reserves powers to the states, and Marbury v. Madison deals with whether the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over state courts. B. The Declaration of Independence describes circumstances in which people may demand a redress of grievances, and Marbury v. Madison is about whether courts can resolve these crises. C. The Federalist 10 describes how the expanded scope of the national government can alleviate the problems of factions, and Marbury v. Madison uses the national government to negotiate a compromise between two rival factions. D. The Federalist 78 is about the power and role of the federal courts, and in Marbury v. Madison, Madison expands that role by giving the courts the power to determine whether laws or executive actions conflict with the Constitution.

D. The Federalist 78 is about the power and role of the federal courts, and in Marbury v. Madison, Madison expands that role by giving the courts the power to determine whether laws or executive actions conflict with the Constitution.

In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the Supreme Court used the power of judicial review established in Marbury v. Madison (1803) to strike down a Georgia state law that regulated the relationship between citizens of Georgia and members of the Cherokee Nation. President Andrew Jackson opposed the decision and famously challenged the Supreme Court to enforce it. As the Supreme Court was not able to enforce the decision, the other branches of government ignored it. This example illustrates which of the following? A. The president can approve or veto decisions made by the Supreme Court. B. States have the power to nullify federal laws. C. Congress can prevent Supreme Court decisions from being enforced by appropriating money to the Department of Justice. D. Unpopular Supreme Court decisions can be avoided or ignored if other branches refuse to cooperate with the outcomes of those decisions.

D. Unpopular Supreme Court decisions can be avoided or ignored if other branches refuse to cooperate with the outcomes of those decisions.