Poli 172 Final - Quiz Questions

amicus curiae brief

"friend of the court" brief filed by an interest group to influence a Supreme Court decision. -Main way interest groups participate.

Correctly order the following steps in the classic legislative process to show the steps a bill takes before it becomes a law. (Quiz Version).

1. Bill is introduced. 2.Bill is sent to the appropriate committee(s) for consideration and markup 3.Bill is scheduled for the floor. 4.Bill is debated on the floor. 5.The bill is voted on. 6.The bill is sent to the other chamber for a similar process. . 7. Both chambers vote on the same version of the bill or a conference committee is made to reconcile differences between House and Senate version of the bill. 8. The bill is sent to the President for signing.

War Powers Resolution

A law passed in 1973 spelling out the conditions under which the president can commit troops without congressional approval. - Questionable

While each state has two senators, members of the House are apportioned ________.

According to state's population.

Which of the following is a check that the legislative branch has over the courts? Senate approval is needed for the appointment of justices and federal judges. Congress may withhold funding needed to implement court decisions. Congress may rewrite a law the courts have declared unconstitutional. All of the above

All of the above

Saying a bill is being marked up is just another way to say it is being ________. A. neglected B. tabled C. amended D. vetoed

Amended

The Supreme Court most typically functions as _______ A. a court of original jurisdiction B. a trial court C. a district court D. an appeals court

An appeals court

The Constitution clearly assigns the power to declare war to:

Congress

The process of redistricting can present problems for congressional representation because ________. A. states can gain but never lose districts B. districts are often drawn to benefit partisan groups C. states have been known to create more districts than they have been apportioned D. districts must include urban and rural areas

Districts are often drawn to benefit partisan groups.

The War Powers Act of 1973 requires what in order to continue the use of military force? A. A formal declaration of war from Congress within 60-90 days. B. Eventual authorization from Congress, but the time line is unspecified. C. Formal war plans from the Department of Defense within 60-90 days. D. Explicit authorization from Congress within 60-90 days

Explicit authorization from Congress within 60-90 days.

One of the few presidential powers that Congress may not limit is the power to: A. grant pardons and reprieves B. declare war C. negotiate foreign treaties D. make appointments to the Supreme Court

Grant pardons and reprieves

A congressperson who pursued a strict delegate model of representation would seek to ________. A. legislate in the way he or she believed constituents wanted, regardless of the anticipated outcome B. legislate in a way that carefully considered the circumstances and issue so as to reach a solution that is best for everyone C.legislate in a way that is best for the nation regardless of the costs for the constituents D. legislate in the way that he or she thinks is best for the constituents

Legislate in the way they believe constituents wanted, regardless of the anticipated outcome.

stare decisis

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases.

________ is a power created through law in 1996 and overturned by the Supreme Court in 1998 that allowed the president to veto specific aspects of bills passed by Congress while signing into law what remained. A. Executive authority B. Signing statement C.Line-item veto D.Legislative approval

Line-item veto

The people who make up the modern president's cabinet are the heads of the major federal departments and ________. A. are selected based on the rules of patronage B. must be confirmed by the Senate C. once in office are subject to dismissal by the Senate D. serve two year terms

Must be confirmed by the Senate

Which of the following was not given as a reason the executive branch has failed to be reorganized? A. There was no external shock to help overcome the institutional pressures to maintain the status quo. B. No one has expressed a desire to reorganize it. C. Congress wants to protect its jurisdiction and power. D. Growth was spurred by ongoing events and successful pressure of interest groups that required responses.

No one has expressed a desire to reorganize it.

The Supreme Court consists of: A. Thirteen jusitices B. Nine associate judges C. One chief justices and five associate justices D. One chief justice and eight associate judges

One chief & 8 associate judges.

The key means of advancing modern legislation is now ________. A. the actions of the leadership B. committees C. the filibuster D. the budget process

The budget process.

Stopping a filibuster requires that ________. A. the speaker steps away from the podium B. the chamber votes for cloture C. a majority of senators agree on the bill D. the Speaker or majority leader intervenes

The chamber votes for cloture.

Which of the following is an example of an executive agreement? A. The president changes a regulation on undocumented immigrant status without congressional approval. B.The president negotiates an agreement with China and submits it to the Senate for ratification. C. The president signs legally binding nuclear arms terms with Iran without seeking congressional approval. D. The president issues recommendations to the Department of Justice on what the meaning of a new criminal statute is.

The president signs legally binding nuclear arms terms with Iran without seeking congressional approval.

Of all the court cases in the United States, the majority are handled ________.

at the state level

A state case is more likely to be heard by the federal courts when ________. A. it involves a federal question B. a governor requests a federal court hearing C. the state courts are unable to come up with a decision D. it involves a criminal manner

it involves a federal question.

In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton characterized the judiciary as the ________ branch of government.

least dangerous

When a president issues a regulation that has the effect of law, it is called an executive:

order