Unit 4 Exam
After Franklin D. Roosevelt's election to four terms as president, which constitutional amendment was passed to limit the number of terms a president could serve?
22nd Amendment
An example of a government corporations is
Amtrak
Which Article of the U.S. Constitution sets up the Executive Branch of Government?
Article 2
The structure of the legislative branch of government is set out in ________________ of the Constitution.
Article I
Which of the following statements explains how Congress can use their power of the purse to restrict presidential power?
Congress can deny requests for funds to executive agencies during the budget process
The ___________ branch of government is the least popular among Americans
Legislative
The Freedom of Information Act of 1966 helps citizens exercise oversight over the bureaucracy by
Opening government records to citizen scrutiny
Which of the following may the Senate do to limit the president's power?
Reject presidential nominations
What are checks that the legislative branch has over the courts?
Senate approval is needed for the appointment of justices and federal judges, Congress may rewrite a law the courts have declared unconstitutional, and Congress may withhold funding needed to implement court decisions.
What is an implied power of Congress?
The power to override a presidential veto
When a Supreme Court ruling is made, justices may write a ___________________________ to show they agree with the majority but for different reasons.
concurring opinion
The "spoils system" allocated political appointments on the basis of
party loyalty
The lawyer who represents the federal government and argues cases before the Supreme Court is the
solicitor general
In standing by precedent, a judge relies on the principle of
stare decisis
The passage of the Tenure of Office Act of 1867 was just one instance in a long line of
struggles for power between the president and the Congress.
Two recent periods of large-scale bureaucratic expansion were
the 1930s and the 1960s
The key means of advancing modern legislation is now
the budget process
Stopping a filibuster requires that.....
the chamber votes for cloture
Every year, the Seafair Air Show performance takes place in Seattle, Washington. To protect guests 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 a.m. to 4 p.m. The action taken by the Department of Homeland Security is an example of which of the following?
A guideline issued by the federal bureaucracy, providing specific details about how a policy will be implemented
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 member of the House must introduce the bill to the House floor.
A select committee is different from a standing committee because
A select committee is convened for a specific and temporary purpose, while a standing committee is permanent.
Which of the following is a consequence of holds applied to a bill in the Senate?
A senator can slow down the legislative process
Which describes the ideal bureaucracy according to Max Weber?
An apolitical, hierarchically, organized agency
Which of the following statements explains how an executive order can cause conflict between the president and Congress?
An executive order enhances the power of the president because it creates laws without congressional approval
Which of the following may the president do to limit the Supreme Court's power?
Appoint new justices to the Supreme Court
Which of the following statements describes a way for the executive branch to limit the Supreme Court's power?
By appointing new Supreme Court justices
What best explains how the president can limit the Court's power by appointing a new Supreme Court justice?
By choosing justices who change the ideological leanings of the court
Which of the following is an intended consequence of ideological divisions within Congress?
Compromise between the two parties on Congressional legislation
Which of the following is an enumerated power Congress has in making foreign policy?
Confirming ambassadors to foreign countries
Which of the following scenarios would be considered congressional oversight?
Congress calls several high-level officials of the Department of Homeland Security to testify on cross-agency communication after September 11th
In which of the following scenarios is the president most likely to use an executive order to make important policy?
Congress cannot reach a compromise
"Size explains much about why the two chambers differ. Because it is larger, the 435-member House . . . is a more structured body than the 100-member Senate. Indeed, the restraints imposed on representatives by rules and precedents are more severe than those affecting senators . . . . The Senate is more involved than the House in cultivating national constituencies, forming questions for national debate, and gaining general public support for policy proposals." Which of the following statements is most consistent with the author's argument in the passage?
Different chamber sizes and constituencies influence the formality of debate in each chamber.
Use the excerpt to answer the question: "Senators have increasingly used holds, their ability to block consideration of a nominee indefinitely, as a broader partisan weapon to keep presidents from filling key positions, including many qualified and usually noncontroversial nominees. . . . The confirmation rate of presidential circuit court appointments has plummeted from above 90 percent in the late 1970s and early 1980s to around 50 percent in recent years." Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?
Divided government has led to an increase in congressional refusal to confirm appointments of presidents of the opposite party
Which of the following statements describes a difficulty the federal government faces in policymaking when there is a divided government?
Divided government may result in the hold up or death of major policy because of ideology clashes between parties.
What is an accurate comparison of the enumerated and implied powers of Congress?
Enumerated powers are establishing post offices and implied powers are banning the mailing of dry ice
With regard to the federal judiciary, both houses of Congress have the power to:
Establish the size of the Supreme Court, Approve or reject presidential appointments on courts, and Structure the Federal Court system
All of the following do not place limits on the powers of Congress:
Ex Post Facto laws, Writ of Habeas Corpus, and Bills of attainder
____________________ outlaws acts after they have been committed
Ex post Facto Laws
What is an accurate comparison of the president's formal and informal powers?
Formal powers include vetoing legislation and informal powers include issuing executive orders.
What is a good example of an issue network?
Government and private groups opposed to a proposal run a pipeline through Native American land
Which of the following is a consequence of the merit system in the bureaucracy?
Greater professionalism in the bureaucracy
Which is NOT an advantage of incumbency?
Guaranteed re-election
Which of the following is a way George Washington expanded the power of the presidency?
He appointed the heads of various federal departments as his own advisors
Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure are concerned over increased accidents on national highways, what can they do?
Holding a hearing and subpoenaing high-level officials of the Department of Transportation
The House Committee on Veterans Affairs, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) work together to achieve policies that benefit veterans. What does this represent?
Iron triangles
Which of the following statements explains how social media has enhanced the power of the presidency?
It gives the president a direct line of communication to the national constituency to influence national policy.
Which of the following explains how modern technology has changed the president's ability to respond to political issues?
It has made it easier for the president to rapidly respond to political issues by appealing directly to the public.
"That unity is conductive to energy and 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 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. . ." 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?
John F. Kennedy's secret negotiations ending the Cuban Missile Crisis.
What best describes judicial restraint?
Judges should limit the exercise of their own power to interpreting the Constitution according to its original intent
Use the excerpt to answer the question below: "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 any lack of qualification, or ay impropriety, but because of his stated judicial philosophy: how he would vote as a judge." Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?
Judicial nominations can be contentious because of the lasting influence the people in those positions have after a president's term.
"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." Which of the following government policies would the author most likely support?
Life terms, pending good behavior, for Supreme Court justices
What is an accurate comparison of Marbury v. Madison and Baker v. Carr?
Marbury v. Madison led to more power for the Supreme Court to check the other branches. Baker v. Carr led to the "one person, one vote" judicial doctrine
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 created the Office of Personnel Management and the
Merit Systems Protection Board
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?
Necessary and Proper Clause in Article I
President Hudson's administration wants to limit the development of chemical weapons in key nations in the Middle East, but Congress is unlikely to back a formal treaty. Which of the following is an action the president may take to accomplish their policy agenda?
Negotiate an executive agreement with the heads of the Middle Eastern governments.
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?
Neither sign nor veto the bill, allowing it to die.
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 as creating law rather than interpreting it. Which of the following could Congress do to limit the Supreme Court's power in response?
Pass legislation changing the Court's jurisdiction
A Supreme Court precedent banning prayer in schools could be viewed as interfering with state powers under the Constitution, and as creating laws rather than interpreting it. Which of the following may Congress do to limit the Supreme Court's power?
Pass legislation changing the Court's jurisdiction
Which of the following is a legitimate course of action for Congress to take to place a restriction on the Supreme Court?
Pass legislation to modify the impact of the decision
After a hard-fought election, President Greene appoints a major campaign as ambassador to Greece. What is this an example of?
Patronage
The Civil Service Commission was created by
Pendleton Act of 1883
What role do coalitions play in the policymaking process?
Politicians create coalitions to enact policy that has broad support from the public
Congressman Chidi Anagonye has proposed an Agriculture Appropriations bill that would fund important agricultural food programs and food services. While the bill was in committee, Congresswoman Eleanor Shellstrop added an amendment to the bill that would send $250,000 to her district in Arizona for an Arizona Fried Shrimp Institute. She says she will only vote for the bill if it includes the funds for her district. This is an example of which of the following?
Pork barrel legislation
Which of the following is NOT considered a constitutional power of the president?
Power to make laws
What is true about Prime Ministers and U.S. Presidents?
Prime ministers are chosen by legislature but Presidents are voted on by the people. In addition, if public opinion sours, a President will remain in office while a prime minister will resign.
A president believes the Court has overstepped its constitutional authority by requiring state legislatures to redraw congressional districts to address partisan gerrymandering. What can he do?
Refuse to implement the decision
A president believes the Court has overstepped its constitutional authority by requiring state legislatures to redraw congressional districts to address partisan gerrymandering. What could the president do to limit the Supreme Court's power in response?
Refuse to implement the decision
"The president may be convinced that a piece of legislation is unwise. But his judgement as to its un-wisdom is not a legal reason for his declining to execute it. (It may be a reason to veto it, and one of the objections to signing statements is that they are vetoes not subject to override.) And the president may have a definite view as to what the legislation means, and that view might include conclusions as to its constitutionality, but his is not the view that counts. He may be the commander in chief, but he is not the interpreter in chief." Which of the following statements best summarizes Fish's argument?
Signing statements go beyond the president's expressed constitutional powers
Which of the following is an unintended consequence of the rise of the primary and caucus system?
Sometimes candidates unpopular with the party leadership reach the top
According to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, if both the President and Vice President should die then
Speaker of the House is next in line
The Executive Office of the President includes
Special Advisory Groups, the White House Staff, and approximately 4,000 employees
When members of Congress must vote on a bill that is non-ideological or one which they have no specific position, what are the most powerful influences?
Staff members
What is the main organizational vehicle in the House and Senate?
Subcommittees
President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the powers of the presidency largely as a result of
The Great Depression
What is an accurate comparison of the Senate and House of Representatives?
The House of Representatives is designed to represent the population and the Senate is designed to represent states equally
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the structure and function of the House of Representatives and the Senate?
The House of Representatives is responsible for proposing all tax bills, and the Senate is responsible for ratifying all treaties.
Which of the following describes a difficulty the judicial branch faces in the policy implementation process?
The Supreme Court must rely on the other branches of government to enforce its rulings
Bureaucratic discretionary authority is best defined as what?
The ability of executive departments and agencies to make choices about how to enforce public policy
Which of the following models of bureaucracy best accounts for the way bureaucracies tend to push Congress for more funding this year?
The acquisitive model (as resources dwindle, certain government agencies fight others to survive and advance their agendas)
What is an accurate comparison of the powers of the judicial branch and the powers of the legislative branch?
The judicial branch interprets the Constitution and the legislative branch can establish inferior courts
Senator Leslie Knope plans to vote in favor of two major bills. The first bill is about buying some land in Indiana and turning it into a national park. The second bill will ban any fast food restaurant from serving a 128-ounce soft drink. 21,000 constituents have called her about the national park bill. Senator Knope decides to vote in favor of the first bill, but listens to her constituents and votes against the second bill. Which model of representation do her actions embody?
The politico model
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 a company committing securities fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission's ability to decide how much money is awarded to whistleblowers is an example of which of the following?
The power that individual bureaucrats and agencies have to make choices about how to implement existing laws
What is an accurate comparison of expressed powers of the president and the powers of Congress?
The president can negotiate treaties while Congress can ratify treaties.
What is an example of an executive agreement?
The president signs legally binding nuclear arms terms with Iran without seeking Congressional approval.
How did the election of 1824 change the way presidents were selected?
The selection of the candidate with fewer electoral votes triggered the rise of party control over nominations.
Senator Ramirez listens to her constituents' wishes on every piece of legislation, but always votes her conscience, even if it goes against her constituents' wishes on pieces of legislation they care about. Which model of representation do her actions embody?
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. Congressman Ron Swanson, a libertarian, has decided 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?
The trustee model
Appointments to the White House staff are often uncontested for which of the following reasons?
These appointments do not require Senate confirmation.
Many at the Continental Congress were skeptical of allowing presidents to be directly elected by the legislature because __________.
They feared the opportunities created for corruption
What is the primary purpose of the White House Staff?
They give the President advice on national security, the economy, and a wide range of issues.
The official head of the Senate is the .....
Vice President
In which of the following scenarios is the president most likely to use the veto to limit the power of Congress?
When the opposing party holds a small majority in Congress.
Which of the following scenarios would be considered a constitutional use of executive power?
Which of the following scenarios would be considered a constitutional use of executive power?
Congress passes a law reducing the amount of violence that children can be exposed to on television. Which of the following actions can the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) take to implement this measure?
Write guidelines about how much violence can be depicted during times children are likely to be watching TV
The practice that allows for unlimited debate in the Senate is called
a filibuster
President Theodore Roosevelt's concept of the bully pulpit was the office's
ability to use technology to enhance the voice of the president
While each state has two senators, members of the House are apportioned...
according to the state's population
Saying a bill is being marked up is just another way to say it is being...
amended
The Supreme Court most typically functions as
an appeals court
Of all the court cases in the United States, the majority are handled
at the state level
Presidents often leave office with approval ratings
below 50%
Both state and federal courts hear matters that involve
both civil and criminal law
Senate races tend to inspire ________.
broad discussion of policy issues
When using judicial restraint, a judge will usually
defer to the decisions of the elected branches of government
Besides the Supreme Court, there are lower courts in the national system called
district and circuit courts
The process of redistricting can present problems for congressional representation because...
districts are often drawn to benefit partisan groups
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review
enables it to declare acts of the other branches unconstitutional
One of the main ways interest groups participate in Supreme Court cases is by
filing amicus curiae briefs
A case will be place on the Court's docket when ______ justices agree to do so
four
During George Washington's administration, there were ______ cabinet positions.
four
The increasing value constituents have placed on descriptive representation in Congress has had the effect of
increasing the members of minority members in Congress
A state case is more likely to be heard by the federal courts when
it involves a criminal matter
The Great Compromise successfully resolved difference between...
large and small states
In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton characterized the judiciary as the ____________________________ branch of government.
least dangerous
A congressperson who pursued a strict delegate model of representation would seek to...
legislate in the way he or she believed the constituents wanted, regardless of the anticipated outcome
The people who make up the modern president's cabinet are the heads of the major federal departments and
must be confirmed by the Senate.
A very challenging job for new presidents is to
nominate and gain confirmation for their cabinet and hundreds of other officials
The justices of the Supreme Court are
nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate
The Supreme Court consists of
one chief justice and five associate justices
The saying "All politics is local" roughly means ________.
the local constituents tend to care about things that affect them
House leaders are more powerful than Senate leaders because of
the majoritarian nature of the House-a majority can run it like a cartel
Presidential Power has expanded over the years for the following reasons:
the population of the United States has grown over the years from approximately 4 million people to almost 314 million people today. Article II, Section 1 grants the executive power to the President. Article II, Section 3, makes the President responsible for enforcing Federal laws.
When reformers speak of bureaucratic privatization, they mean all the following processes except ________.
whistleblowing
