CONGRESS AP GOV
The Constitution gives the greatest amount of power to the legislative branch. In the current political climate and function of government
congress has abdicated leadership to the executive branch making it the least popular and least powerful of the 3 branches
All of the following are ways the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT
congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional
The largest portion of uncontrollable spending in the federal budget is designated for which of the following?
entitlement spending
Which of the following is an example of congressional oversight?
holding hearings for review of an executive agency's activities
The majority of work in Congress is done where?
in committees
All of the following contribute to the advantages of incumbents members on Congress in election campaigns EXCEPT
incumbents can use members of their legislative staff to perform campaign services
Federal benefits that must be funded by Congress and must be paid to all citizens who meet eligibility criteria are called
individual entitlements
Which of the following statements about the Senate is true?
individual senators can exercise substantial influence over the legislative process
The role Congress plays in ensuring that executive branch agencies are carrying out their legislated responsibilities is known as
legislative oversight
In the process and structure of public policy making, "iron triangle" refers to the
networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process
The term "pork barrel" refers to legislation specifically designed to
provide funding for local projects that are intended to benefit constituents
In the iron triangle process. Lobbyists try to influence legislators mainly through
providing legislators with information on technical issues
Which of the following committees in the House of Representatives exercises the most power?
rules
Which of the following committees of the House of Representatives sets the conditions for debate and amendment of most legislation?
rules
Nominations to the Supreme Court must be approved by a
simple majority vote in the Senate only
The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in
the United States House of Representatives
The most significant power of congress is
the power of the purse
Which of the following is a means by which a bill can be "killed" in the House of Representatives?
the rules placed on legislation may hinder it from passing
Of the following which is the most powerful figure in congress?
the speaker of the house
A major difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that
there is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House
Which of the following statements about motions for closure is true?
they are used by senators to end a filibuster and bring a bill to vote
Which of the following is an advantage by incumbents in getting reelected?
they can send free mail to their districts most of the time, have high name recognition, they are able to help their constituents through earmark spending (pork barrel), they typically have more money than challengers
In which of the following scenarios would a presidential veto most likely be upheld?
two-thirds of the representatives and senators are members of the same party as the president