Khan Academy AP Gov Unit 1-2

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the expressed powers of the president and the powers of Congress? a. nominating the ambassadors/ issuing signing statements b. presenting the State of the Union / impeaching officials c. issuing executive orders / levying taxes d. enforcing laws / interpreting the Constitution

b. presenting the State of the Union / impeaching offiicials

Which of the following presidential actions is an example of court-curbing? a. appointing justices that shift the ideological balance of the Supreme Court b. impeaching the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for controversial rulings c. instituting term limits for Supreme Court justices to restrain the influence of certain justices d. remitting all cases on the Supreme Court docket to lower federal courts

a. appointing justices that shift the ideological balance of the Supreme Court

Appointments to the White House staff are often uncontested for which of the following reasons? a. these appointments work primarily for the legislative branch b. these appointments do not require Senate confirmation c. these appointments are nominated by the Speaker of the House d. these appointments are only filled by former members of Congress

b. these appointments do not require Senate confirmation

Which of the following is likely to occur immediately as a result of new legislation regarding transition programs for veterans of the Afghanistan War? a. military experts will make recommendations to Congress on how much money they should spend creating these programs. b. states will create several job training programs to help veterans find jobs as they transition out of the military c. the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs will meet with recipients to determine the effectiveness of the law. d. the Department of Veterans Affairs will use its authority to decide how to implement the law effectively.

d. the Department of Veterans Affairs will use its authority to decide how to implement the law effectively.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government." -Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with? a. A government is only just if citizens have a voice in it b. citizens should rebel against government they disagree with c. there is no such thing as a just government d. society would be better if there were no governments

a. A government is only just if citizens have a voice in it

"In a pure democracy the people are the sovereign, and their will is declared by themselves; for this purpose they must all come together to deliberate, and decide. This kind of government cannot be exercised, therefore, over a country of any considerable extent; it must be confined to a single city, or at least limited to such bounds as that the people can conveniently assemble, be able to debate, understand the subject submitted to them, and declare their opinion concerning it." - Brutus No. 1 Which of the following political parties would have agreed with the ideological perspectives in the passage when it was written? a. Anti-federalists b. Progressives c. Whigs d. Federalists

a. Anti-federalists

Which of the following statements explains how Congress can use its power of the purse to restrict presidential power? a. Congress can deny requests for funds to bureaucratic agencies during the budget process b. Congress determines the president's salary and can cut the president's salary based on performance c. Congress allocates funds for presidential campaigns and can restrict funds to the president's party d. Congress drafts and passes a federal budget that does not require presidential approval

a. Congress can deny requests for funds to bureaucratic agencies during the budget process

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of "separation of powers" in the US Constitution? a. Congress has authority over the federal budget, while the president appoints Supreme Court justices b. Congress can pass a measure, while the Supreme Court can declare it unconstitutional c. Congress can pass a measure, while the president can veto it d. Mississippi can set educational policy for its students, while California can set education policy for its students

a. Congress has authority over the federal budget, while the president appoints Supreme Court justices

The necessary and proper clause is best defined as which of the following? a. Congress has the power to carry out its enumerated powers b. the national government has authority over state and local governments c. Congress has the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign countries d. each state must recognize and uphold laws by any other state

a. Congress has the power to carry out its enumerated powers

In 2010, the Supreme Court issued a controversial decision that struck down a federal law banning corporations and unions from donating to federal elections. Which of the following steps may Congress take to limit the Supreme Court's power? a. pass legislation changing the Court's appellate jurisdiction b. send the case back to a lower court and ignore the Supreme Court's decision c. exercise oversight authority over how each individual justice ruled d. filibuster decisions made by the Supreme Court until Congress can pass a new law

a. pass legislation changing the Court's appellate jurisdiction

During the 1980s, members of the Republican Party advocated for devolution (transferring responsibilities for programs from the federal government to state and local governments). Which of the following describes a difficulty Congress might face in implementing devolution? a. Due to the concurrent powers of state and national government, many programs are administered by both state and federal agencies b Due to the exclusive powers of the state governments, federal Congress is not permitted to make laws affecting citizens of the states c. Due to the exclusive powers of the federal government, state governments are not permitted to tax citizens in order to fund programs d. Due to the federal system, it is impossible to transfer power from one level of government to another

a. Due to the concurrent powers of state and national government, many programs are administered by both state and federal agencies

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the enumerated and implied powers of Congress? a. Establishing post offices / Banning the mailing of dry ice b. Maintaining a national bank / coining money c. Regulating immigration / Creating a path to citizenship for immigrants d. Maintaining the armed forces / Declaring war

a. Establishing post offices / Banning the mailing of dry ice

In Gonzalez v. Raich (2005), the Supreme Court ruled that the commerce clause gave Congress the authority to ban the use of marijuana, despite conflicting state law. In the Court's majority opinion, Associate Justice John Paul Stevens argued that local use of marijuana affected the supply and demand of the national marijuana market. Which prior Supreme Court case could be cited as a precedent for the majority decision in Gonzalez v. Raich (2005)? a. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) b. Shaw v. Reno (1993) c. Baker v. Carr (1962) d. Marbury v. Madison (1803))

a. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Which of the following statements best describes one limitation that Congress faces when attempting to monitor the bureaucracy directly by calling oversight hearings? a. Oversight hearings take a lot of time and resources to be effective and Congress is too small to monitor all administrative actions directly. b. Congressional hearings have no legal standing and Congress has no powers to force bureaucrats to testify before committees. c. The president has the power to cancel any oversight hearings on the agenda if they feel like it will interfere with the agency's ability to implement policy. d. The separation of powers gives the judicial branch the power to hold hearings, not the legislative branch.

a. Oversight hearings take a lot of time and resources to be effective and Congress is too small to monitor all administrative actions directly.

"This week, we have twice seen Supreme Court justices violating their judicial oaths. Yesterday, the Justices re-wrote Obamacare, yet again, in order to force this failed law on the American people. Today, the Court doubled down with a 5-4 opinion that undermines not just the definition of marriage, but the very foundations of our representative form of government. That is unacceptable. On the substantive front, I have already introduced a constitutional amendment to preserve the authority of elected state legislatures to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and also legislation stripping the federal courts of jurisdiction over legal assaults on marriage." - Source: Senator Ted Cruz, "We Must Not Submit Our Constitutional Freedoms, and the Promise of our Nation, to Judicial Tyranny" Which of the following explains Senator Cruz's motivation for writing the excerpt above? a. Senator Cruz believes that the Supreme Court made several controversial decisions that undermine states' rights under the Constitution b. Senator Cruz thinks the Supreme Court made a constitutional ruling upholding states' rights c. Senator Cruz feels that the president has made an unconstitutional executive order and wants the Supreme Court to review it d. Senator Cruz suspects that public opinion has influenced the Supreme Court's decisions, undermining the isolation of the Supreme Court

a. Senator Cruz believes that the Supreme Court made several controversial decisions that undermine states' rights under the Constitution

Which of the following provides the most accurate explanation of how compliance monitoring poses a challenge to policy implementation? a. State and local agencies may shape policy in different directions than the federal bureaucracy intended, which forces the federal bureaucracy to spend resources enforcing compliance with the original policy. b. Local agencies have to report their compliance to federal policies to state agencies who send those reports to federal agencies, slowing the direct line of communication between federal and local agencies. c. Bureaucratic agencies have power to make rules and regulations on policy, but do not have enforcement power as that power falls to state and local governments. d. Compliance monitoring requires that bureaucratic agencies have strong relationships with state and local agencies, dividing their loyalty and impeding their relationship with the president.

a. State and local agencies may shape policy in different directions than the federal bureaucracy intended, which forces the federal bureaucracy to spend resources enforcing compliance with the original policy.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the federal bureaucracy? a. The Senate Committee on the Budget proposes reducing the amount of money the Environmental Protection Agency gets for the 2021 fiscal year when setting the annual budget. b. The Supreme Court rules that an executive order instructing the Secretary of Energy to seize all American coal mines and shut them down is unconstitutional. c. The Department of Transportation sets new regulations detailing safety standards for national highways, requiring states to devote some of their budget to restoring these highways. d. The president nominates a former teacher for the role of Secretary of Education after the previous Secretary of Education runs for public office in her home state.

a. The Senate Committee on the Budget proposes reducing the amount of money the Environmental Protection Agency gets for the 2021 fiscal year when setting the annual budget.

A member of the House of Representatives proposes a Constitutional amendment that would force the president and Congress to balance the budget every year. Which of the following accurately describes the amendment process? a. a bill must pass both the House and the Senate with a two-thirds majority b. the bill must pass both House and the Senate with a simple majority c. the bill must pass the House and the Senate with a two-thirds majority and be approved by the Supreme Court d. the bill must pass both the House and Senate with a three-fourths majority

a. a bill must pass both the House and the Senate with a two-thirds majority

A senator wants to incentivize higher education for students from low-income families and wants to provide clear guidelines on how states must implement those incentives. Which type of grant should she propose? a. a categorical grant b. a revenue sharing grant c. a mandate d. a block grant

a. a categorical grant

Every year, the Seafair Air Show performance takes place in Lake Washington in Seattle, Washington. To protect guests who are attending the festival, Congress passed a law designating the area a safety zone. In response, the Department of Homeland Security created a regulation requiring the Coast Guard to enforce the boundaries of the safety zone from 8 am to 4 pm. The action taken by the Department of Homeland Security is an example of which of the following? a. a guideline is issued by government agencies, which provide specific details about how to implement policies b. a permanent change to the Constitution of the United States c. a written pronouncement issued by the POTUS after signing a bill d. a law created by the president and implemented by a bureaucratic agency without Congressional approval

a. a guideline is issued by government agencies, which provide specific details about how to implement policies

Precedents are best defined as which of the following? a. a legal decision that establishes a rule for similar cases going forward b. a statement that describes the legal reasoning behind a judicial decision c. the power of the court to declare a law or executive order unconstitutional d. the extent of the authority that a court has to decide cases

a. a legal decision that establishes a rule for similar cases going forward

Which of the following scenarios would be considered logrolling? a. a senator agrees to vote on another senator's bill, provided that the senator will support their own legislation b. a senator proposes a plan to redraw the geographic boundaries of legislative districts in their state to support one political party over the other party c. a senator adds a federally-funded project that benefits their district to a bill that will be passed through Congress d. a senator holds the floor of the Senate, refusing to give it up and preventing a vote on the bill

a. a senator agrees to vote on another senator's bill, provided that the senator will support their own legislation

Under Chief Justice Warren, the Supreme Court established several precedents which drew criticism for interfering with state powers and the powers of the other branches. Which of the following actions may the president take to change how the Supreme Court rules on similar cases in the future? a. appoint new justices to the Supreme Court b. pass legislation changing the Court's jurisdiction c. veto parts of the Court's decision d. fire and replace Supreme Court justices

a. appoint new justices to the Supreme Court

"All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and the wellborn, the other the mass of the people. . . . The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right. Give therefore to the first class a distinct, permanent share in the government. They will check the unsteadiness of the second, and as they cannot receive any advantage by a change, they therefore will ever maintain good government." -Alexander Hamilton, "Speech in the Constitutional Convention on a Plan of Government," 1787 Which of the following models of democracy is the author advocating? a. elite democracy b. pluralist democracy c. participatory democracy d. direct democracy

a. elite democracy

Which of the following is the best example of an issue network? a. government and private groups opposed to a proposal run a pipeline through Native American land b. a national organization committed to influencing legislation to promote small businesses c. a Congressional subcommittee on issues facing senior citizens d. an independent executive agency regulating telecommunications

a. government and private groups opposed to a proposal run a pipeline through Native American land

President David Rose refuses to spend the money Congress appropriated for the Environmental Protection Agency. In response, Congress has rejected the rescission of funds. This scenario illustrates: a. how Congress uses its oversight powers to check the executive branch's budgeting power b. how the bureaucracy and Congress work together to implement important policy c. how non-governmental agencies can influence the budget setting process d. how the goals of the executive branch can influence the policy goals of the federal bureaucracy

a. how Congress uses its oversight powers to check the executive branch's budgeting power

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the powers of the judicial branch and the powers of legislative branch? a. interpreting the Constitution / establishing inferior courts b. vetoing legislation / setting the budget c. appointing Supreme Court justices / confirming Supreme Court nominations d. ratifying treaties / negotiating treaties

a. interpreting the Constitution / establishing inferior courts

Pork barrel legislation is best defined as which of the following? a. laws that include federally-funded projects that benefit a specific district b. laws that are created by the president without congressional approval c. laws that include provisions on how agriculture and farming should be conducted d. laws that die in committees because they are unpopular

a. laws that include federally-funded projects that benefit a specific district

"That inflexible and uniform adherence to the rights of the Constitution, and of individuals, which we perceive to be indispensable in the courts of justice, can certainly not be expected from judges who hold their offices by a temporary commission. Periodical appointments, however regulated, or by whomsoever made, would, in some way or other, be fatal to their necessary independence." - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 78, "The Judiciary Department," 1788 Which of the following government policies would the author most likely support? a. life terms, pending good behavior, for Supreme Court justices b. a ban on presidential appointments of Supreme Court justices c. Congressional oversight of the judicial branch d. regular democratic elections of Supreme Court justices

a. life terms, pending good behavior, for Supreme Court justices

Under President Jean-Ralphio Saperstein, the Department of the Interior issued a new rule allowing private businesses to buy sections of land designated for national parks. In response, several environmental groups band together and sue the federal government to stop the implementation of the rule. The case makes its way to a federal court of appeals. Which of the following actions could the federal court take to stop the Department of the Interior from implementing the rule? a. order the department to stop b. replace the Secretary of the Interior c. hold an investigative hearing d. stop funding the department

a. order the department to stop

A Supreme Court precedent approving mandatory busing of students to ensure greater racial integration in public schools throughout the South could be viewed as interfering with state powers under the Constitution, and creating law rather than interpreting it. Which of the following could Congress do to limit the Supreme Court's power in response? a. pass legislation changing the Court's jurisdiction b. send the case back to a lower court c. filibuster decisions made by the Supreme Court d. exercise oversight authority over rulings of individual justices

a. pass legislation changing the Court's jurisdiction

In 2015, the Supreme Court heard a case challenging laws in several states that refused to recognize legal same-sex marriages. Which of the following actions could a group who supported the legalization of same-sex marriage take to influence the supreme court decision? a. petition to file a brief on behalf of the same-sex couple involved in the case b. protest outside of the Court to show public outcry c. offer monetary support to Congressional candidates who want to pass a law legalizing same-sex marriage d. conduct a public opinion poll and publish it in a major newspaper

a. petition to file a brief on behalf of the same-sex couple involved in the case

After Congress proposes a bill to allow businesses to purchase land that was once a national park, several people form an environmental interest group. They reach out to several senators to get their support to block the bill. This is an example of which of the following models of democracy? a. pluralist democracy b. direct democracy c. elite democracy d. participatory democracy

a. pluralist democracy

President Dwight Schrute has several positions to fill within the federal bureaucracy. Which of the following is an example of filling a position based on merit? a. promoting the Deputy Attorney General to Attorney General after four years of strong service b. asking a high-level campaign fund-raiser to serve as ambassador to Germany c. choosing a member of the National Security Council that would appease members from the opposition party d. nominating a member of his political party as the secretary of energy after she supported him during the campaign

a. promoting the Deputy Attorney General to Attorney General after four years of strong service

Following the Supreme Court's decision in Engel v. Vitale (1962) banning school prayer, members of Congress organized to limit the impact of the decision by proposing amendments to the Constitution allowing school prayer. Which of the following is another action that Congress could take to promote devotional activities in public schools? a. propose legislation changing federal court's authority to hear similar cases b. veto parts of the Court's decision under the Tenth Amendment c. fire the Supreme Court justices and replace them with sympathetic justices d. place eighteen-year term limits on the Supreme Court justices

a. propose legislation changing federal court's authority to hear similar cases

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and United States v. Lopez (1995)? a. ruled that national laws were supreme to state laws / ruled that the Gun-Free School Zones Act was unconstitutional b. led to an increase in power for state governments / led to an increase in power for federal governments c. declared that states did not have the power to tax the federal government / declared that congress had implied powers to carry out their enumerated powers d. established the power of judicial review / established limits to states' rights under the Tenth Amendment

a. ruled that national laws were supreme to state laws / ruled that the Gun-Free School Zones Act was unconstitutional

Congress is most likely to use a court-curbing measure, like changing the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, when: a. the American public does not support the Supreme Court's decision b. the American public does not care about the outcome of the Supreme Court decision c. the states are trying to pass an amendment undermining a Supreme Court decision d. the decision affects the balance of power between the states and federal government

a. the American public does not support the Supreme Court's decision

Which of the following statements best explains how the Fourteenth Amendment has been interpreted to enhance federal power? a. the Fourteenth Amendment gave Congress the right to regulate discrimination in the states b. the Fourteenth Amendment gave Congress the power to monitor and regulate voting booths c. the Fourteenth Amendment gave Congress the power to regulate school curriculums d. the Fourteenth Amendment gave Congress the power to nominate state governors

a. the Fourteenth Amendment gave Congress the right to regulate discrimination in the states

The president is most likely to use court-curbing measures, like refusing to enforce a Supreme Court decision, when: a. the Supreme Court's decision is controversial b. the Supreme Court is divided along ideological lines c. Congress threatens to pass legislation making the decision law d. Congress is dominated by a different party than the president

a. the Supreme Court's decision is controversial

"In so extensive a republic, the great officers of government would soon become above the control of the people, and abuse their power to the purpose of aggrandizing themselves, and oppressing them. The trust committed to the executive offices, in a country of the extent of the United States, must be various and of magnitude." - Brutus No. 1 Which constitutional provision would the author most likely support? a. the addition of a bill of rights b. the lifetime appointments of supreme court justices c. the selection of senators by state legislators d. the creation of an electoral college

a. the addition of a bill of rights

"The distinction between a government with limited and unlimited powers is abolished, if those limits do not confine the person on whom they are imposed, and if acts prohibited and acts allowed, are of equal obligation. It is a prohibition too plain to be contested, that the constitution controls any legislative act repugnant to it; or, that the legislature may alter the constitution by an ordinary act. Between these alternatives there is no middle ground. The constitution is either a superior, paramount law, unchangeable by ordinary means, or it is on a level with ordinary legislative acts, and, like other acts, is alterable when the legislature shall please to alter it." - John Marshall, decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) Which of the following statements is most consistent with Marshall's argument in this passage? a. the constitution is above ordinary laws b. the constitution should not be altered under any circumstances c. the legislature should be able to alter the Constitution by an ordinary act d. there is no meaningful distinction between a government with limited and unlimited powers

a. the constitution is above ordinary laws

"The mystique of inside information--"if you only knew what we know"--was a most effective way to defend the national-security monopoly and prevent democratic control of foreign policy... "The power to leak meant the power to tell the people what it served the government's purpose that they should know... "The power to withhold and the power to leak led on inexorably to the power to lie. The secrecy system instilled in the executive branch the idea that foreign policy was no one's business save its own, and the uncontrolled secrecy made it easy for lying to become routine." - Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with? a. the executive branch has too much power in implementing foreign policy b. government leaks ensure that corruption in the executive branch is exposed c. the executive branch should not control foreign policy or national security d. secrecy is necessary for effective government action abroad

a. the executive branch has too much power in implementing foreign policy

"When the Articles of Confederation were drafted, Americans had little experience of what a national government could do for them and bitter experience of what an arbitrary government could do to them. In creating a central government they were therefore more concerned with keeping it under control than with giving it the means to do its job." -Edmund S. Morgan, The Birth of the Republic, 1763-89, 1956 Which of the following pieces of evidence would best support the author's conclusion? a. the lack of centralized military power under the Articles of Confederation b. the decision to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Constitution c. the grievances of Daniel Shays and other Revolutionary War veterans due to farm foreclosures d. the terms of the Treaty of Paris, which committed US debtors to repaying their British creditors

a. the lack of centralized military power under the Articles of Confederation

Bureaucratic rulemaking is best defined as which of the following? a. the power to make legally binding standards that all persons under the agency's authority must follow b. the ability to settle debates between states and agencies on how to implement a law c. the practice of hiring and promoting individuals based on their qualifications and job performance d. the authority to decide how to implement a law and decide Congress's intention when it passed the law

a. the power to make legally binding standards that all persons under the agency's authority must follow

Which of the following scenarios would be considered a constitutional use of executive power? a. the president confers diplomatic recognition on the new nation of South Sudan b. the president impeaches the US ambassador to South Korea for high crimes and misdemeanors c. the president ratifies a treaty limiting strategic arms development in the US and Russia d. the president declares war on Iraq and Afghanistan

a. the president confers diplomatic recognition on the new nation of South Sudan

Which of the following is the most immediate consequence of impeaching a president? a. the president is tried in the Senate b. the president is tried by the Supreme Court c. the president is sent into exile d. the president is removed from office

a. the president is tried in the Senate

"In addition to educating the country, [President Barack Obama's] goal is to frame the political debate and set an agenda that the next Democratic presidential nominee can run on next year -- an agenda that Obama hopes will put opposition Republicans at a big disadvantage. Obama has been getting lots of attention for bypassing the Republican-controlled Congress using his unilateral powers, such as executive orders, to get his way. But his power to persuade is another powerful weapon in the president's arsenal, since he can command media and public attention almost whenever he wants." Which of the following statements best summarizes the author's argument? a. the president's ability to command media attention gives him an advantage in shaping the national policy agenda b. the president's popularity depends upon his ability to craft a charismatic persona in national media appearances c. the president is exceeding his constitutional authority by bypassing Congress and appealing directly to the public d. media appearances are an ineffective way to educate the country about important policy debates

a. the president's ability to command media attention gives him an advantage in shaping the national policy agenda

"As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed . . . The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties." -Publius (James Madison), Federalist No. 10 According to the author, what is the purpose of government? a. to control factions b. to replace factions c. to eliminate factions d. to strengthen factions

a. to control factions

Which of the following procedures results in the addition of an amendment to the US Constitution? a. two-thirds of state legislature propose a Constitutional Amendment Bill, which is ratified by three-fourths of the states b. the House and the Senate pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill by a simple majority c. two-thirds of state legislature propose a Constitutional Amendment Bill, which is ratified by three-fourths of the House and Senate d. the House and Senate pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill by a majority and the Supreme Court approves the bill

a. two-thirds of state legislature propose a Constitutional Amendment Bill, which is ratified by three-fourths of the states

In which of the following scenarios is the president most likely to use the veto to limit the power of Congress? a. when the opposing party holds a majority in Congress b. when the president's party holds a supermajority in Congress c. when the president's party holds a small majority in Congress d. when the opposing party holds a supermajority in Congress

a. when the opposing party holds a majority in Congress

Which of the following actions can the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) take to implement this measure? a. write guidelines about how much violence can be depicted during times children are likely to be watching TV b. lobby Congress to decrease federal funding for TV networks that broadcast violent TV shows c. issue an executive order banning the production of violent TV shows d. refuse to air violent TV shows on their broadcast networrks

a. write guidelines about how much violence can be depicted during times children are likely to be watching TV

"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States . . . The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative . . . "SECTION 3 "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote." - Sections 2 and 3 of the United States Constitution The excerpt above is the result of which compromise in the Constitutional Convention? a. compromise on the Bill of Rights b. Great (Connecticut) Compromise c. Three-Fifths Compromise d. Compromise on the Electoral College

b. Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Which two were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? I. The federal government could not levy taxes. II. The executive branch was more powerful than Congress. III. The federal government could not raise an army. IV. Each state had two votes in a bicameral Congress. a. I and II b. I and III c. II and IV d. III and IV

b. I and III

Which of the following statements best explains the impact the necessary and proper clause has had on congressional power? a. It has broadened the power of Congress by allowing it to limit the executive branch's ability to commit the United States to an armed conflict b. It has broadened the power of Congress to enact legislation addressing a wide range of economic, environmental, and social issues c. It has weakened the power of Congress by allowing the Supreme Court to declare any law unconstitutional d. It has weakened the power of Congress by restricting it to only those powers listed in the Constitution

b. It has broadened the power of Congress to enact legislation addressing a wide range of economic, environmental, and social issues

In Federalist No. 10, Madison argues that the Constitution disperses power between the federal government and state governments. Which of the following describes a constitutional provision in the newly ratified Constitution that does that? a. Supreme Court justices receive lifetime appointments b. US Senators were chosen by state legislatures c. the president is empowered to make federal appointments d. members of the House of Representatives are directly elected

b. US Senators were chosen by state legislatures

Which of the following is a consequence of holds applied to a bill in the Senate? a. a senator can expedite the legislative process by limiting debate b. a senator can slow down the legislative process c. a senator can force the bill into committee to be reconsidered d. a senator can put the bill up for a vote for unanimous consent

b. a senator can slow down the legislative process

Participatory democracy is best defined as which of the following? a. limited political participation by a small group of people that make and influence political decisions b. direct individual participation by citizens in political decisions that affect their daily lives c. nongovernmental interest groups influence political decisions through lobbying and donations d. individual citizens electing representatives who would then articulate and fight for their interests

b. direct individual participation by citizens in political decisions that affect their daily lives

Which of the following statements best explains how rule differences in the House of Representatives and the Senate can affect the policymaking process? a. even though Senate may pass a bill, the House can delay the bill with a discharge petition b. even though the House may pass a bill, the Senate can kill the bill with a filibuster c. even though the Senate may pass a bill, the House can delay it with a hold d. even though the House may pass a bill, the Senate Rules Committee can delay it

b. even though the House may pass a bill, the Senate can kill the bill with a filibuster

Which of the following is a consequence of the merit system in the bureaucracy? a. greater fragmentation in the bureaucracy b. greater professionalism in the bureaucracy c. greater inefficiency in the bureaucracy d. greater loyalty to the president's party in the bureaucracy

b. greater professionalism in the bureaucracy

Compliance monitoring has which of the following effects on the bureaucracy? a. it leads to more expertise in bureaucratic agencies as presidents appoint people with relevant qualifications and experience b. it challenges bureaucratic agencies' ability to implement a policy that matches the president's goals c. it pushes bureaucratic agencies to enforce rules and regulations at the local level, bypassing state governments d. it strengthens the relationship between the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to formulate public policy

b. it challenges bureaucratic agencies' ability to implement a policy that matches the president's goals

Congress passed a law ordering the Department of Agriculture to create a National School Lunch Program that provides nutritionally-balanced meals to all students for free. President Stanley Hudson attached a statement when signing the bill into law, stating that his administration should include soft pretzels in their nutritionally-balanced meal plans. Which of the following statements best explains how a signing statement affects the Department of Agriculture's implementation of the policy? a. it limits the Department of Agriculture's rule-making authority to implement the law tob the best of its ability b. it guides the rules and regulations that the Department of Agriculture issues to implement policy, especially when the law is ambiguous c. it shifts the responsibility of implementing a policy to the experts within the Department of Agriculture d. it can check the power of the bureaucracy to implement policy in a way that conflicts with the president's ideology

b. it guides the rules and regulations that the Department of Agriculture issues to implement policy, especially when the law is ambiguous

"So if a law be in opposition to the constitution; if both the law and the constitution apply to a particular case, so that the court must either decide that case conformably to the law, disregarding the constitution; or conformably to the constitution, disregarding the law; the court must determine which of these conflicting rules governs the case. This is of the very essence of judicial duty. If, then, the courts are to regard the constitution, and the constitution is superior to any ordinary act of the legislature, the constitution, and not such ordinary act, must govern the case to which they both apply." - John Marshall, decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) Which of the following statements best summarizes Marshall's argument? a. the Supreme Court should judge ordinary acts as equal to the Constitution b. the Supreme Court should judge whether a law is constitutional c. the Supreme Court should judge whether the law or the Constitution ought to determine a case d. the Supreme Court should judge whether both a law and the Constitution apply to a case

b. the Supreme Court should judge whether a law is constitutional

"The defeat of Robert Bork's 1987 Supreme Court nomination was a watershed event that unleashed what Stephen Carter has called 'the confirmation mess'. There was no question that Bork was a highly qualified nominee. He was rejected not because of his lack of qualification, or any impropriety, but because of his stated judicial philosophy: how he would vote as a jude." - John Maltese, "Anatomy of a Confirmation Mess: Recent Trends in the Federal Judicial Selection Process," 2004 Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with? a. judicial nominations are rarely challenged because the positions are usually filled with people who do not have any political leanings b. judicial nominations can be contentious because of the lasting influence the people in those positions have after a president's term c. judicial nominations are contentious only if the sitting president and the majority of the Senate are of the same party d. judicial nominations have become more contentious because they reflect how little influence political philosophy has over the confirmation process

b. judicial nominations can be contentious because of the lasting influence the people in those positions have after a president's term

In 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, stipulating that states must have a minimum drinking age of 21 in order to receive federal highway funding. This is an example of which of the following aspects of federal incentives? a. categorical grants b. mandates c. block grants d. revenue sharing

b. mandates

To protect young children from obscene content, Congress passed a law giving the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the authority to make rules limiting what television networks can broadcast. In response, the FCC makes a rule that television networks can only broadcast shows safe for people of all ages, fining any network that shows programs made for mature audiences. The National Association of Broadcasters sued the FCC Chairman, and the case makes its way to the Supreme Court. Which of the following measures can the Supreme Court use to limit the FCC's actions? a. make a new regulation allowing television programs to show programs for mature audiences after dark b. overrule the FCC and strike down the administrative action for overextending beyond the intent of the law c. impeach the FCC chairman and order the president to nominate someone new d. use their power of judicial review to rule that the law passed by Congress is unconstitutional

b. overrule the FCC and strike down the administrative action for overextending beyond the intent of the law

"As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed . . . The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties." -Publius (James Madison), Federalist No. 10 Based on the text, which of the following arguments would the author most likely agree with? a. political liberty is least protected in a large republic with lots of factions b. political liberty is best protected by the fragmentation of political power in a large republic c. political liberty is best protected by participatory democracy d. political liberty is best protected by a small republic with a unicameral legislature

b. political liberty is best protected by the fragmentation of political power in a large republic

"Both Lincoln and Roosevelt undertook acts they knew to be beyond the Constitution. Both did so in times of transcendent crisis when the life of the nation seemed truly at stake. Both acted, knowingly or not, on Locke's doctrine of emergency prerogative, trusting that Congress would eventually approve their actions." -Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following statements best summarizes the author's argument? a. when presidents have attempted to take power, Congress has constrained them b. presidents have enhanced their constitutional powers beyond what is expressed in the Constitution in order to deal with major crises c. presidents have always respected the separation of powers and have only taken more power when Congress approved d. presidents have enhanced the power of the presidency through the creation of new executive agencies

b. presidents have enhanced their constitutional powers beyond what is expressed in the Constitution in order to deal with major crises

In 1895, the Supreme Court heard a case about the Income Tax Act of 1894. The Court held that the act was unconstitutional and the federal government did not have the power to tax personal income. Which of the following is an action Congress could have taken to check the Supreme Court's power? a. vetoing parts of the Court's decision b. proposing a constitutional amendment c. sending the case to a lower court for a different decision d. appointing new Supreme Court justices

b. proposing a constitutional amendment

A member of the Senate makes a statement to the press that she is unsure of how she is going to vote on a bill. After numerous calls from her constituents asking her to vote for the bill, she votes in support of the bill. This is an example of which of the following democratic ideals? a. limited government b. republicanism c. social contract d. natural rights

b. republicanism

In 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law. The Department of Education was in charge of implementing the law. Which of the following most likely occurred after Congress gave the Department of Education discretionary authority over the law? a. states and school districts sent their plans on how to implement the law to the Department of Education b. the Department of Education used its rulemaking authority to create regulations for states and school districts c. the president issues a signing statement to clarify the ambiguous parts of the education law d. academics and experts in education reviewed the Department of Education's plans for implementation

b. the Department of Education used its rulemaking authority to create regulations for states and school districts

"There is no position which depends on clearer principles, than that every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid." - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 78, "The Judiciary Department", 1788 Which of the following statements best summarizes Hamilton's argument? a. arguments against the adaptation of the Constitution are invalid b. the Supreme Court should have the power of judicial review c. few legislative acts are contrary to the Constitution d. the Constitution delegates ultimate authority to the legislative branch

b. the Supreme Court should have the power of judicial review

"The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential in a limited Constitution. By a limited Constitution, I understand one which contains a specified exceptions to the legislative authority...Limitations of this kind can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice, whose duty it must be to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void. Without this, all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing." - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 78, "The Judiciary Department," 1788 Which of the following statements best summarizes Hamilton's argument? a. The judicial branch should not have the power to overrule acts of Congress and the president because it does not have the power to enforce laws b. the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and judging whether the laws passed by Congress are unconstitutional c. the judicial branch should defer all rulings on legislative issues to Congress because members of Congress are elected, but judges are nit d. the judicial branch needs to be held accountable for its decisions and have term limits to protect individual rights

b. the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and judging whether the laws passed by Congress are unconstitutional

"Our Debts being unfunded and unprovided for, the Interest cannot be paid. Those therefore who trusted us in the Hour of Distress are defrauded. To expect that under such Circumstances others will confide in the Government would be Folly, and to expect that Foreigners will Trust a Government which has no Credit with its own Citizens must be madness . . . "The United States have call'd for eight Million of Dollars early in November last, of which the first quarterly Payment was to have been made on the first Day of April next. But I cannot find that a single State has laid the Taxes." -Robert Morris, letter to the president of Congress, 1782 Which of the following statements best summarizes the author's argument? a. the US government should call for considerably more than $8 million in taxes in order to meet its obligations b. the taxation structure under the Articles poses a serious threat to the economic well-being of the United States c. the Articles of Confederation should immediately be replaced with a new Constitution d. the US decision to separate from Great Britain was a mistake that has alienated foreign investors

b. the taxation structure under the Articles poses a serious threat to the economic well-being of the United States

Which of the following statements is most likely motivation for a president to issue an executive order? a. to force Congress to create policy that fits the president's agenda b. to achieve policy goals when a compromise cannot be reached with Congress c. to increase the power of the presidency over presidential appointments d. to create laws that cannot be changed or replaced over time

b. to achieve policy goals when a compromise cannot be reached with Congress

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the views of the authors of Federalist No. 10 and Brutus No. 1? a. A large republic will prevent factions from developing / Only a small republic can truly serve citizens' needs b. Factions will inevitably develop, no matter the system of government / A strong central government will prevent abuses of power by local governments c. A large republic will control factions by pitting them against each other / A large republic endangers personal liberties d. A decentralized government will preserve liberty better than a strong federal government / The federal government is too far removed from citizens to understand their needs

c. A large republic will control factions by pitting them against each other / A large republic endangers personal liberties

How might term-length differences have contributed to the lack of support from House Republicans? a. Because members of the House have two-year terms, they are unlikely to support any legislation before a midterm election b. Because members of the House have six-year terms, they are unlikely to support a piece of legislation that helps a "lame-duck" president c. Because members of the House have two-year terms, they are unlikely to support a piece of legislation that may upset their constituents d. Because members of the House have six-year terms, they are unlikely to support a piece of legislation that may upset the median voter

c. Because members of the House have two-year terms, they are unlikely to support a piece of legislation that may upset their constituents

How do the different chamber sizes in the House of Representatives and the Senate influence the formality of debate in each chamber? a. Because there are fewer members in the House of Representatives, there is a less formal process for debate b. Because there are more members in the Senate, there is a less formal process for debate c. Because there are more members in the House of Representatives, there is a more formal process for debate d. Because there are fewer members in the Senate, there is a more formal process for debate

c. Because there are more members in the House of Representatives, there is a more formal process for debate

Which of the following scenarios is an example of a present-day constitutional issue about democracy and governmental power? a. reducing the corporate tax rate as part of the 2017 tax reform bill b. Congress passing a bill that will increase taxes on the top 1% of earners c. FBI agents being able to obtain phone records without a judge's approval d. Congress passing a law requiring restrooms in public buildings to be equipped with baby changing facilities

c. FBI agents being able to obtain phone records without a judge's approval

"That unity is conducive to energy will not be disputed. Decision, activity, secrecy, and despatch will generally characterize the proceedings of one man in a much more eminent degree than the proceedings of any greater number; and in proportion as the number is increased, these qualities will be diminished..." - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 70. "The Executive Department Further Considered," 1788 Which of the following scenarios would be considered an example of how unity is conducive to energy in the executive branch, as defined by the author of the passage? a. George W. Bush's 2002 State of the Union address, in which he asked Congress to enact new safeguards for pension plans b. Bill Clinton's "open White House," with many aides who played a role in shaping policy c. John F. Kennedy's secret negotiations ending the Cuban Missile Crisis d. Lyndon B. Johnson's decision not to run for reelection in 1968

c. John F. Kennedy's secret negotiations ending the Cuban Missile Crisis

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the exclusive and concurrent powers of the federal government? a. Establish local governments / Regulate interstate commerce b. Conduct the elections / Make laws c. Regulate the postal system / Establish courts d. Levy taxes / Declare war

c. Regulate the postal system / Establish courts

"The mystique of inside information—"if you only knew what we know"—was a most effective way to defend the national-security monopoly and prevent democratic control of foreign policy . . . The power to leak meant the power to tell the people what it served the government's purpose that they should know . . . The power to withhold and the power to leak led on inexorably to the power to lie. The secrecy system instilled in the executive branch the idea that foreign policy was no one's business save its own, and the uncontrolled secrecy made it easy for lying to become routine." -Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following governmental policies would the author most likely support? a. The Obama administration's 2016 decision not to enforce immigration laws mandating the deportation of undocumented young people b. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution of 1964, which authorized the president to do whatever was necessary to aid US allies in Southeast Asia c. The War Powers Resolution of 1973, which aimed to give Congress more say in whether US troops were deployed abroad d. The Patriot Act of 2001, which expanded government surveillance measures in order to combat terrorism

c. The War Powers Resolution of 1973, which aimed to give Congress more say in whether US troops were deployed abroad

"In a pure democracy the people are the sovereign, and their will is declared by themselves; for this purpose they must all come together to deliberate, and decide. This kind of government cannot be exercised, therefore, over a country of any considerable extent; it must be confined to a single city, or at least limited to such bounds as that the people can conveniently assemble, be able to debate, understand the subject submitted to them, and declare their opinion concerning it." -Brutus No. 1 Which of the following statements best summarizes the author's argument? a. a weak centralized government is ensured through checks and balances b. a small decentralized government leads to an ineffective government c. a large centralized government is unable to protect individual interests and liberties d. a large centralized government best represents individual interests

c. a large centralized government is unable to protect individual interests and liberties

The relationship between the states under the Articles of Confederation could best be described as which of the following? a. a strict hierarchy based on population b. an indivisible union c. a loose league of friendship d. a group of completely independent nations

c. a loose league of friendshi[

Which of the following scenarios would most likely be considered a violation of the Twenty-Second Amendment? a. Congress blocks an executive order after passing a bill declaring all executive orders null and void b. a member of Congress runs for a sixth term in office after receiving support from her constituents c. a sitting president runs for a third term in office after overwhelming support from the American public d. a sitting president commits troops to a military conflict without a declaration of war from Congress

c. a sitting president runs for a third term in office after overwhelming support from the American public

Which of the following statements best explains how an executive order can cause conflict between the president and Congress? a. an executive order enhances the power of Senate committees because it allows a simple majority vote to confirm presidential appointments b. an executive order enhances the power of the legislative branch because it creates laws the president cannot veto c. an executive order enhances the power of the president because it creates laws without congressional approval d. an executive order enhances the power of the president's cabinet because it creates laws without the president's approval

c. an executive order enhances the power of the president because it creates laws without congressional approval

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of Baker v. Carr (1961) and Shaw v. Reno (1993)? a. declared that Tennessee violated the First Amendment / declared that North Carolina violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment b. led to the "one-person, one-vote" judicial doctrine / ended gerrymandering across the United States c. decided that federal courts could intervene and decide redistricting cases / decided that redistricting plans based on race must be held to a strict standard of scrutiny d. led to an increase in power for the national government / led to an increase in power for state governments on matters of redistricting

c. decided that federal courts could intervene and decide redistricting cases / decided that redistricting plans based on race must be held to a strict standard of scrutiny

Based on the ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), what is the difference between enumerated powers and implied powers? a. implied powers are powers given to the federal government, whereas enumerated powers are powers given to state governments. b. implied powers are powers that the Constitution explicitly grants to the federal government, whereas enumerated powers are not explicitly written but are necessary for carrying out implied powers. c. enumerated powers are powers that the Constitution explicitly grants to the federal government, whereas implied powers are not explicitly written but are necessary for carrying out enumerated powers. d. enumerated powers are powers given to the federal government, whereas implied powers are powers given to state governments.

c. enumerated powers are powers that the Constitution explicitly grants to the federal government, whereas implied powers are not explicitly written but are necessary for carrying out enumerated powers.

"Because of our two-party system, voters often find themselves voting for the 'lesser of two evils,' rather than a candidate they really feel would do the best job. . . ."Since most states distribute their electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis, the smaller party has no chance to gain support without seeming to take this support from one of the major parties. Few people will support a party that never wins, especially when they are supporting that party at the possible expense of their least favorite candidate taking power." Which of the following governmental policies would the author of this passage most likely support? a. requiring all states to allocate electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis b. preventing third party "spoilers" from running in national elections c. reforming or eliminating the Electoral College d. amending the Constitution to ban political parties

c. reforming or eliminating the Electoral College

Which of the following may the Senate do to limit the president's power? a.file a motion for impeachment b. declare executive orders unconstitutional c. reject presidential nominees d. fire and replace presidential appointees

c. reject presidential nominees

Chris Wallace: "Mr. Trump, you're pro-life. But I want to ask you specifically: Do you want the court, including the justices that you will name, to overturn Roe v. Wade, which includes -- in fact, states -- a woman's right to abortion?" Donald Trump: "Well, if that would happen, because I am pro-life, and I will be appointing pro-life judges, I would think that that will go back to the individual states. Trump: "Well, if we put another two or perhaps three justices on, that's really what's going to be -- that will happen. And that'll happen automatically, in my opinion, because I am putting pro-life justices on the court. I will say this: It will go back to the states, and the states will then make a determination." -Presidential candidate Donald Trump, Final Presidential Debate, 2016 Which of the following statements is most consistent with President Trump's argument in this passage? - Presidential candidate Donald Trump, Final Presidential Debate, 2016 Which of the following statements is most consistent with President Trump's argument in this passage? a. he will nominate Supreme Court justices who identify as racial minorities to create a diverse court b. he will nominate Supreme Court justices who respect precedent to avoid appointing activist judges c. he will nominate Supreme Court justices who share his policy preferences in order to achieve his policy goals d. he will nominate Supreme Court justices who maintain the ideological balance of the Supreme Court

c. he will nominate Supreme Court justices who share his policy preferences in order to achieve his policy goals

Which of the following describes a way that the federal government could influence state spending on education? a. closing public schools with low standardized test scores b. reallocating school sports spending to teacher salaries c. issuing a mandate tying federal block grants to amount of state spending per pupil d. penalizing states with lower spending per pupil by reducing their representation in Congress

c. issuing a mandate tying federal block grants to amount of state spending per pupil

Which of the following explains how modern technology has changed the president's ability to respond to political issues? a. it has changed the relationship between the president and the media, allowing the president to monitor stories before they are released to the public b. it has the presidency less transparent because the president's communications director monitors all responses to political issues c. it has made it easier for the president to rapidly respond to political issues by appealing directly to the public d. it has limited the president's power to connect with the other branches before responding to political issues

c. it has made it easier for the president to rapidly respond to political issues by appealing directly to the public

Which of the following statements best explains the compromise behind the creation of the Electoral College? a. it was a compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists on the power of the presidency b. it was a compromise between slave and free states over how enslaved Africans would be counted for representation c. it was a compromise between big and small states so that states with a larger population cannot control presidential elections d. it was a compromise that dictated presidential impeachment procedures

c. it was a compromise between big and small states so that states with a larger population cannot control presidential elections

Which of the following statements best describes judicial restraint? a. judges have the power to interpret the Constitution and declare a law unconstitutional b. judges rely on past decisions and their precedents when making decisions in new cases c. judges should limit the exercise of their own power to interpreting the Constitution according to its original intent d. judges ought to freely strike down laws that are inconsistent with their understanding of the Constitution

c. judges should limit the exercise of their own power to interpreting the Constitution according to its original intent

Which of the following statements best explains how judicial activism influences decisions made by individual justices when deciding cases heard by the Court? a. justices are more likely to defer to previous Supreme Court decisions b. justices are influenced by public opinion on a case rather than constitutional interpretation c. justices are influenced by the social effects the decision might have on the public d. justices are less likely to strike down laws and policies as unconstitutional

c. justices are influenced by the social effects the decision might have on the public

Which of the following is a consequence of federalism in the United States? a. the scope of the federal government has decreased over time b. the executive branch has become more powerful over time c. national policy making is held in check d. appointed official have more power than elected officials

c. national policy making is held in check

In June 2017, voters in Puerto Rico voted on a referendum to make Puerto Rico the 51st state of the United States. This is an example of which of the following models of democracy? a. pluralist democracy b. indirect democracy c. participatory democracy d. elitist democracy

c. participatory democracy

"The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular states, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other states: a religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it, must secure the national councils against any danger from that source: a rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the union." -Publius (James Madison), Federalist No. 10, 1787 Which of the following models of representative democracy is most consistent with the passage? a. participatory democracy b. direct democracy c. pluralist democracy d. elitist democracy

c. pluralist democracy

In 1895, the Supreme Court heard a case about the Income Tax Act of 1894. The Court held that the act was unconstitutional and the federal government did not have the power to tax personal income. Which of the following is an action Congress could have taken to check the Supreme Court's power? a. appointing new Supreme Court justices b. sending the case to a lower court for a different decision c. proposing a constitutional amendment d. vetoing parts of the Court's decision

c. proposing a constitutional amendment

Which of the following actions can the states take to limit the Supreme Court's power? a. preventing cases from being sent to the Supreme Court b. pass legislation limiting the Supreme Court's jurisdiction c. refuse to implement and enforce a ruling by the Court d. file briefs to change the Court's decision

c. refuse to implement and enforce a ruling by the Court

Which of the following scenarios would be considered an unconstitutional use of state power? a. imposing a sales tax on all clothing and cosmetics sold within a state b. requiring a one-year waiting period before married couples can file for divorce c. requiring Amish students to attend school until age 16 despite their religious beliefs d. establishing a minimum drinking age of 18 in their state

c. requiring Amish students to attend school until age 16 despite their religious beliefs

"Amid this much-changed communication landscape, the lingering question of whether the untapped wisdom of the public should be harnessed in governmental decisions suddenly commanded a fresh look, as social media increased the capability of governments worldwide to fully involve ordinary citizens in policymaking." - M. Barris, A. Jain, and J. Katz, The Social Media President: Barack Obama and the Politics of Political Engagement, 2013 Based on the text, which of the following statements would the authors most likely agree with? a. social media has changed the president's relationship to Congress by involving more members of Congress in policymaking decisions b. social media has changed the president's relationship to the national constituency by involving fewer citizens in policymaking decisions c. social media has changed the president's relationship to the national constituency by involving more citizens in policymaking decisions d. social media has had no effect on the president's relationship to the national constituency or Congress

c. social media has changed the president's relationship to the national constituency by involving more citizens in policymaking decisions

In 1971, President Nixon signed the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) into law. It required candidates for federal office to disclose who contributed to their campaigns and how much. Congress put the Federal Election Commission in charge of implementing the law. Which of the following most likely occurred first after Congress gave the Federal Election Commission discretionary authority over the law? a. Congress determined whether the Federal Election Committee had the power to enforce the law b. the Senate ceded all power to make laws about campaign contributions to the Federal Election Commission c. the Federal Election Commission enforced the law by creating a series of rules for candidates d. political parties become solely responsible for raising funds for political candidates to meet the provisions of the law

c. the Federal Election Commission enforced the law by creating a series of rules for candidates

Junior Congress member Ben Wyatt is deciding whether or not to support a bill that would guarantee free wifi for his district in Pawnee, Indiana. He thinks that free wifi would be a great improvement to his community, but waits for feedback from his constituents before he casts his vote. A majority of citizens in Pawnee support the bill, so Congress member Wyatt decides to vote in favor of it. Which model of representation do his actions embody? a. the trustee model b. the partisan model c. the delegate model d. the majoritarian model

c. the delegate model

"Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attack; it is not less essential to the steady administration of the laws; to the protection of property against those irregular and high-handed combinations which sometimes interrupt the ordinary course of justice; to the security of liberty against the enterprises and assaults of ambition, of faction, and of anarchy..." - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 70, "The Executive Department Further Considered," 1788 Which of the following is a consequence of the ideas set forth by the author of this passage? a. the Congressional power to impeach a president for high crimes and misdemeanors b. the requirement that the present will periodically give information to Congress on the state of the Union c. the establishment of the president as Commander in Chief of the military d. the requirement that the president be at least 35 years old

c. the establishment of the president as Commander in Chief of the military

In 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which gave the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) more power to regulate and enforce securities laws. In response, the Securities and Exchange Commission created the Office of the Whistleblower, which is responsible for gathering information from people who know of a company committing securities fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission's ability to decide how much money it awards to whistleblowers is an example of which of the following? a. the power that individual bureaucrats and agencies have to make choices about how to implement existing laws b. the relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional subcommittees to create public policy c. the power of bureaucrats to write the specific regulations that determine the implementation of public policy d. the collaboration between experts and non-experts to influence specific policy outcomes

c. the power of bureaucrats to write the specific regulations that determine the implementation of public policy

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of limited government? a. the federal government replacing state curricula in public schools b. the president appointing state and federal judges c. the president vetoing a bill from Congress d. the federal government restricting commerce within a state

c. the president vetoing a bill from Congress

"The mystique of inside information--"if you only knew what we know"--was a most effective way to defend the national-security monopoly and prevent democratic control of foreign policy... "The power to leak meant the power to tell the people what it served the government's purpose that they should know... "The power to withhold and the power to leak led on inexorably to the power to lie. The secrecy system instilled in the executive branch the idea that foreign policy was no one's business save its own, and the uncontrolled secrecy made it easy for lying to become routine." - Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following scenarios provides the best justification for an expansive interpretation of presidential power? a. the inconsistency of judicial interpretations of the Constitution b. the popularity of the president compared to the popularity of Congress c. the rapid response necessary after a threat of nuclear war d. the Congressional deadlock resulting from hyper-partisanship

c. the rapid response necessary after a threat of nuclear war

The president wants Congress to pass a new tax to help raise funds for a high-speed transcontinental train. Which of the following is the first step in the process of passing the bill? a. the Speaker of the House sends the bill to commiteee b. a member of the Senate must introduce the bill to the Senate floor c. a member of either the House or Senate can propose the bill d. a member of the House must introduce the bill to the floor

d. a member of the House must introduce the bill to the floor

"To what expedient, then, shall we finally resort, for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the Constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places." -Publius (James Madison), Federalist No. 51, 1788 Which of the following statements best summarizes Madison's argument? a. government should keep people in their proper places b. the current structure of government is defective c. the structure of the government itself should limit its powers d. most methods for controlling government are inadequate

c. the structure of the government itself should limit its powers

The Republican Party in the House of Representatives has recently proposed a new tax bill that would cut corporate taxes for the top 1% of Americans. Representative Ron Swanson, a libertarian, has decided to vote for the bill even though a recent poll of his district shows that 56% of his constituents do not support the new tax bill. Which model of representation do his actions embody? a. the delegate model b. the partisan model c. the trustee model d. the politico model

c. the trustee model

The Republican Party in the House of Representatives has recently proposed a new tax bill that would cut corporate taxes for the top 1% of Americans. Representative Ron Swanson, a libertarian, has decided to vote for the bill even though a recent poll of his district shows that 56% of his constituents do not support the new tax bill. Which model of representation do his actions embody? a. the partisan model b. the politico model c. the trustee model d. the delegate model

c. the trustee model

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the president's formal and informal powers? a. setting the agenda for Congress / granting pardons b. declaring war / delivering the State of the Union address c. vetoing legislation / issuing executive orders d. acting as Commander in Chief / appointing Supreme Court justices

c. vetoing legislation / issuing executive orders

Which of the following is an example of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? a. The Articles placed too much power in the hands of the central government, which threatened to become tyrannical b. The Articles stipulated a steep tariff on foreign products that threatened to undermine American exports c. The Articles required that the United States maintain a standing army, which was too expensive to fund d. Amending the Articles required a unanimous vote of the states, which was nearly impossible

d. Amending the Articles required a unanimous vote of the states, which was nearly impossible

Which of the following scenarios best reflects how a president's ideology can affect bureaucratic agencies? a. The Environmental Protection Agency works with academics, journalists, and lobbyists to influence environmental policy and interfere with the president's control of the agency. b. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure cut the Department of Transportation's budget for the 2021 fiscal year after the president submits his budget. c. The president nominates an ardent campaign supporter for an ambassador position in Switzerland as a reward for the loyalty she showed during the campaign. d. The president appoints an administrator who shares her philosophy that the federal government should shrink and empower the states to implement policy.

d. The president appoints an administrator who shares her philosophy that the federal government should shrink and empower the states to implement policy.

In 1963, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, which sets limits on air pollution on a national level. In response, the Environmental Protection Agency set standards to limit carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants in the United States. The action taken by the Environmental Protection Agency is an example of which of the following? a. a coalition of experts inside and outside of the government who want to influence particular areas of public policy b. an agreement between two legislators in which they agree to trade votes for each other's benefit c. a ruling on whether a law violates the principles set in the US Constitution d. a directive from a bureaucratic agency establishing requirements on how actors in their jurisdiction can operate

d. a directive from a bureaucratic agency establishing requirements on how actors in their jurisdiction can operate

"As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed . . . The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties." -Publius (James Madison), Federalist No. 10 Which of the following statements best summarizes Madison's arguments? a. a large republic does not represent the interests of individuals b. a small republic will help prevent factions c. a direct democracy will best protect personal liberties d. a large republic can control the negative aspects of factions

d. a large republic can control the negative aspects of factions

After a hard-fought election, President Greene appoints a major campaign donor as ambassador to Greece. This is an example of which of the following concepts? a. corruption b. civil service c. specialization d. patronage

d. patronage

A signing statement is best defined as which of the following? a. a presidential order to the executive branch that carries the force of the law b. a president's power to reject a law passed by Congress c. an international agreement between the president and another country that does not require the consent of the Senate d. a released letter explaining how the president's administration plans to interpret the law

d. a released letter explaining how the president's administration plans to interpret the law

Which of the following best explains how a president would use a bully pulpit to achieve policy goals? a. by appealing directly to the Supreme Court, the president hopes the Supreme Court will rule conflicting legislation as unconstitutional b. by appealing directly to the states, the president hopes the states will pass legislation that supports those policy goals c. by appealing directly to Congress, the president hopes Congress will create legislation that supports those policy goals d. by appealing directly to the public, the president hopes members of the public will influence their representatives to support those policy goals

d. by appealing directly to the public, the president hopes members of the public will influence their representatives to support those policy goals

Which of the following scenarios would violate the Tenth Amendment? a. congress signing a law drafting Americans to the military b. congress barring the shipment of gasoline c. congress punishing people who do not pay their taxes d. congress passing a law raising the minimum driving age to 21

d. congress passing a law raising the minimum driving age to 21

The Environmental Protection Agency issues a fine to a factory that is not complying with federal regulations on the maximum number of pollutants it can release into the atmosphere. This is an example of which of the federal bureaucracy's responsibilities? a. testifying before Congress b. congressional oversight c. rulemaking d. enforcement

d. enforcement

Which of the following may Congress do to limit the power of the executive? a. veto a bill in the Senate b. declare an executive order unconstitutional c. nominate a Supreme Court justice d. impeach the president

d. impeach the president

Which statement accurately summarizes the impact of the Shaw v. Reno (1993) decision? a. it incorporated the Fourteenth Amendment and made it apply to state and local governments b. it struck down several provisions in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, giving more states power to create new Voter ID laws c. it increased states' power to create districts based on race as to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 d. it created a strict standard of scrutiny when creating new legislative districts, ruling that race cannot be the predominant factor

d. it created a strict standard of scrutiny when creating new legislative districts, ruling that race cannot be the predominant factor

Which of the following statements best explains how stare decisis influences Supreme Court justices? a. it makes justices more likely to send cases back down to lower courts to be decided b. it makes justices less likely to strike down laws and policies as unconstitutional c. it makes justices more likely to rule based on their interpretation of the Framers' original intent d. it makes justices more likely to defer to previous Supreme Court decisions

d. it makes justices more likely to defer to previous Supreme Court decisions

"When the Articles of Confederation were drafted, Americans had little experience of what a national government could do for them and bitter experience of what an arbitrary government could do to them. In creating a central government they were therefore more concerned with keeping it under control than with giving it the means to do its job." -Edmund S. Morgan, The Birth of the Republic, 1763-89, 1956 Which of the following concepts is most consistent with the author's argument? a. republicanism b. natural rights c. participatory democracy d. limited government

d. limited government

"In a pure democracy the people are the sovereign, and their will is declared by themselves; for this purpose they must all come together to deliberate, and decide. This kind of government cannot be exercised, therefore, over a country of any considerable extent; it must be confined to a single city, or at least limited to such bounds as that the people can conveniently assemble, be able to debate, understand the subject submitted to them, and declare their opinion concerning it." -Brutus No. 1 Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with? a. a large central government is better equipped to deal with issues affecting people's daily lives b. local and state governments need to be monitored by the federal government to protect individual rights and liberties c. a large central government is necessary to solve issues affecting the entire country d. local and state governments are better equipped to deal with issues affecting people's daily lives

d. local and state governments are better equipped to deal with issues affecting people's daily lives

In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, which regulates the amount of pollutants there can be in waters of the United States and the quality standards for surface waters. Which of the following Constitutional provisions granted Congress the power to pass environmental protection laws like the Clean Water Act? a. judicial review in Article III b. enumerated powers in Article I c. supremacy clause in Article VI d. necessary and proper clause in Article I

d. necessary and proper clause in Article I

On the last day of its session, Congress passes a law that the president strongly opposes. Which of the following may the president do to limit the power of Congress? a. refuses to allocate tax money to fund the law b. declare the law unconstitutional, thereby killing it c. persuade members of Congress to vote against the law d. neither sign nor veto the bill, allowing it to die

d. neither sign nor veto the bill, allowing it to die

Which of the following actions by the federal government would most likely be considered an implied power based on the precedent established by McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)? a. establishing a law requiring all election to be held on a Saturday b. punishing all violent crimes with the death penalty c. requiring states to establish police stations every 15 miles d. outlawing the recreational use of marijuana

d. outlawing the recreational use of marijuana

An informal group advocating for a $15 minimum wage collects 590,000 signatures from registered voters in their state. In the next election, this initiative appears on the ballot for voters to decide whether it becomes a state constitutional amendment. This is an example of which of the following models of democracy? a. pluralist democracy b. elitist democracy c. representative democracy d. participatory democracy

d. participatory democracy

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government." -Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence Which of the following ideas does the author of the passage advocate? a. constitutional monarchy b. checks and balances c. pluralism d. popular sovereignty

d. popular sovereignty

In the 1960s, the federal government passed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, which compelled state and local governments to desegregate public schools and public places. This is an example of which of the following aspects of federalism in the United States? a. state governments are slower to implement policy than the national government b. the system of checks and balances between state and federal government can fail under certain conditions c. national policy change rarely emerges from state and local policy d. pressure at the national level can force state and local policy changes

d. pressure at the national level can force state and local policy changes

Shana has a daughter in a public school whose students take a national reading test each year. Shana strongly disagrees with the test's methods and believes the test should either be replaced or eliminated. Which of the following is an action Shana could take to influence educational policy? a. lobby her state representative to pass a law limiting the test to English-language learners b. file a lawsuit against all states that use that test c. write a letter to the federal Secretary of Education requesting a nationwide ban of the test d. run for a seat on her local school board in order to influence her district not to use the test

d. run for a seat on her local school board in order to influence her district not to use the test

In 2016, Congress passed a law that intended to improve transportation in rural areas, relying on the Department of Transportation to figure out the strongest mode of transportation. Senator Tahani Al-Jamil has heard that the Department of Transportation is planning to institute a regulation requiring state governments to give every person living in a rural area a brand-new car, which was not the intent of the law. However, she's not sure if this is gossip or an actual plan. Which of the following is an informal power that Senator Al-Jamil could use to get information about how the Department of Transportation is implementing the law? a. she could call a Senate hearing and request the head of the Department of Transportation to testify before the Senate b. she could reduce the amount of funding the Department of Transportation gets for the next year to stop them from implementing the plan c. she could propose new legislation limiting the kinds of regulations that the Department of Transportation can make. d. she could reach out to her contacts in the Department of Transportation to find out more about their implementation plans.

d. she could reach out to her contacts in the Department of Transportation to find out more about their implementation plans.

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of limited government? a. an unpopular governor is replaced with his opponent on election day b. a president is reelected after a successful term in office c. a senator decides to vote in favor of a law after a public opinion poll showing massive support for it in her district d. the Supreme Court ruled that a law passed by Congress was unconstitutional

d. the Supreme Court ruled that a law passed by Congress was unconstitutional

In Federalist No. 10, Madison argues that the Constitution delegates authority to elected representatives. Which of the following constitutional provisions does this? a. the appointment of the president's cabinet in Article II b. the appointment of Supreme Court justices in Article III c. the election of the president in Article II d. the election of the members of the House of Representatives in Article I

d. the election of the members of the House of Representatives in Article I

Which of the following aspects of the US Constitution best illustrates the concept of elite democracy? a. the ban on "corruption of the blood" in cases of treason b. the process for adding amendments to the Constitution c. the apportionment of representatives in the House according to the state population d. the original wording of the Constitution regarding the selection of US senators

d. the original wording of the Constitution regarding the selection of US senators

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of "separation of powers" in the US Constitution? a. the president can nominate justices to the Supreme Court, while the Senate approves presidential nominations b. the president can create an executive order, while the Supreme Court can declare it unconstitutional c. states control elections and public education, while the federal government is responsible for making treaties and defending the country military d. the president commands the nations' armed forces, while Congress has the power to ratify treaties

d. the president commands the nations' armed forces, while Congress has the power to ratify treaties

In 1993, Congress passed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which required background checks for gun purchases from licensed gun dealers. The bill required local chief law enforcement officers to perform background checks on prospective handgun purchasers until the Attorney General created a federal system to do this task. Two county sheriffs sued the United States, arguing that the law was an unconstitutional use of federal power. The case, Printz v. United States, went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the county sheriffs. The Court ruled that the necessary and proper clause does not give the federal government the power to require local law enforcement to fulfill the federal task of performing background checks. This is an example of which of the following aspects of Federalism in the United States? a. the necessary and proper clause gives the federal government power to pass laws that outside of its expressed constitutional powers b. constitutional amendments have taken the place of lawmaking in influencing public policy c. constitutional amendments must originate in state legislatures in order to succeed d. the system of checks and balances between the branches of the federal government constrains policymaking

d. the system of checks and balances between the branches of the federal government constrains policymaking

Which of the following is a consequence of the principle of separation of powers? a. state governments have become more powerful than the federal government b. there is an easy and efficient process for the government to pass and execute laws c. the presidency has become more powerful than the other branches of government d. there are multiple access points for stakeholders and institutions to influence public policy

d. there are multiple access points for stakeholders and institutions to influence public policy