GOV MCQ MIDTERM
On September 29, 2020, after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Donald Trump, a Republican, nominated Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. After a heated Senate confirmation hearing, Barrett was eventually confirmed by a 52 to 48 vote in the Senate. The scenario best highlights which of the following statements about court appointees? A. Life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for nominees to the Supreme Court. B. Judicial appointees tend to make controversial statements on important policy issues during their confirmation hearings to get confirmed. C. The merit system for hiring members of the bureaucracy extends to the vetting process for nominations to the Supreme Court. D. Presidents usually request that the Senate be slow and deliberate with judicial appointments to check the power of the judicial branch.
A. Life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for nominees to the Supreme Court.
In the Federalist 70, Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for: A. a single executive who can respond quickly to crises B. a president who has a good understanding of public policy C. an electoral college in the selection of the president D. a president who is youthful and assertive
A. a single executive who can respond quickly to crises
Lobbyists from the Airlines for America, an advocacy group that represents commercial airlines, work with members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and officials from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to discuss a new policy that addresses issues of airline safety. This scenario best illustrates A. a political action committee B. an iron triangle C. a social movement D. an independent expenditure
B. An Iron triangle An iron triangle is a unique relationship between bureaucracy (the FAA, in this case), Congress (the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure), and lobbyists or interest groups (Airlines for America) that seek to create policies that benefit their respective interests
26. Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates a president avoiding a check from the judicial branch? A. The president signs a bill that reduces the budget of the Department of Justice in response to the department's failure to prosecute white-collar criminals. B. The president instructs the bureaucracy to delay implementing policy changes resulting from a Supreme Court decision. C. The president vetoes legislation that would constrain the ability of the executive branch to conduct domestic surveillance as it relates to terrorism. D. The president issues an executive order declaring lands formerly set aside for conservation protection are now open for mining and oil drilling.
B. The president instructs the bureaucracy to delay implementing policy changes resulting from a Supreme Court decision.
To get an important bill passed in the House, a provision is added that allocates $500 million to study the impact of global climate change on manatees in Florida. This is an example of A. the free rider problem B. pork barrel legislation C. an issue network D. gerrymandering
B. pork barrel legislation
Two interest groups are competing for influence in Congress. One group represents banking institutions, while the other advocates for consumer protections. A critic of the influence of interest groups would make which of the following claims? A. The interest groups will nominate a slate of candidates for office to compete against each other in the next election in order to determine which interests prevail. B. The consumer protection group will appeal only to Republican leaders, while the banking interests will appeal only to Democratic leaders. C. The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group. D. The consumer protection group is prohibited by federal regulations from direct lobbying.
C. The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group.
Which of the following clauses serves as the Constitutional basis for the federal Real ID Act of 2005, a law that established uniform standards for state-issued identification cards and provided regulation of a state function? A. The due process clause B. The establishment clause C. The necessary and proper clause D. The commerce clause
C. The necessary and proper clause Necessary & proper clause = found in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, grants Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers
The case United States v. Lopez (1995) struck down the Gun-Free School Zones Act because A. it violated Fourth Amendment protections against unwarranted searches B. Congress exceeded its authority in the use of the commerce clause C. the Second Amendment is a right incorporated to the states D. students retain their First Amendment rights while attending public schools
Congress exceeded its authority in the use of the commerce clause
Which of the following Supreme Court cases established that those accused of felonies who cannot afford legal counsel are entitled to legal counsel provided by the state? A. United States v. Lopez (1995) B. McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) D. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
D. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) This landmark decision held that the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial
Which of the following pair of Supreme Court cases best illustrates how views of federalism have shifted in the United States?
McCulloch v. Maryland and United States v. Lopez: These cases are good candidates because they directly address the issue of federal versus state power. McCulloch affirmed the federal government's power over the states, while Lopez marked a shift toward limiting the federal government's power to regulate activities under the Commerce Clause.
A group unhappy with local law enforcement distributes a memo to members encouraging physical confrontations with police officers. The leaders of the group are promptly arrested. Which of the following Supreme Court cases best justifies the actions taken by law enforcement in this scenario? A. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) B. Engel v. Vitale (1962) C. New York Times v. United States (1971) D. Schenck v. United States (1919)
Schenck v. United States (1919) In Schenck v. United States, the Supreme Court established the "clear and present danger" test, which held that the government could restrict speech if it poses a clear and present danger to society.
A public school district implemented a policy that allowed students to vote on whether they wanted a student-led prayer to be read at football games. This policy was later found to be unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Which of the following clauses did the policy most likely violate? A. The interstate commerce clause B. The free exercise clause C. The supremacy clause D. The establishment clause
The establishment clause The Establishment Clause is part of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and prohibits the government from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion."
An investigative reporter uncovers illegal and unethical behavior on the part of a state government official. When the local newspaper announces that it will publish the story, the state government issues an injunction to stop the story from being released before being reviewed by government lawyers. Which of the following best represents how the court will most likely respond to the case? A. The newspaper will be required to delay publication until after the lawyers review the materials. B. The newspaper will publish the story but face a libel lawsuit if the information contained is embarrassing to the government. C. The newspapers will be permitted to publish the story without a review by the government's lawyers. D. The newspapers will not be permitted to publish the story if the government objects.
The newspapers will be permitted to publish the story without a review by the government's lawyers.
Which of the following Supreme Court decisions allows public school students to wear T-shirts protesting a school board decision that eliminates funding for high school arts Programs? A. Engel v. Vitale (1962) B. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) C. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) D. New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution?
Unicameral legislature - Bicameral legislature
In which of the following situations would the Supreme Court be most likely to utilize the doctrine of selective incorporation? A. When an individual claims that a right protected by the Bill of Rights is infringed upon by a state B. When there is a conflict among the branches of the national government C. When a federal policy shifting oversight authority from a national agency to a state agency is challenged D. When a former employee files a wrongful termination claim against a company headquartered in another state
When an individual claims that a right protected by the Bill of Rights is infringed upon by a state
Which of the following cases is most related to the quote? "If, therefore, the legislature pass any laws, inconsistent with the sense the judges put upon the constitution, they will declare it void; and therefore in this respect their power is superior to that of the legislature." - Brutus 15 A. Marbury v. Madison (1803) B. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) C. McDonald v. Chicago (2010) D. United States v. Lopez (1995)
A. Marbury v. Madison (1803) "Marbury v. Madison" is the landmark case in which the U.S. Supreme Court first established the principle of judicial review.
Which of the following is commonly identified as a failure of the Articles of Confederation? A. The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue. B. The executive branch was granted too much power over the legislature. C. The federal government had too much control over interstate commerce. D. The judicial branch was elected and did not consistently adhere to rule of law.
A. The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue. Other failures: lack of central power, no executive branch(shays rebellion), no judicial branch to oversee interstate conflicts, no national defense/army
25. Which of the following best explains a reason that a president might use a signing statement to express displeasure with a bill as opposed to issuing a veto? A. The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto. B. Congress has severely curtailed the power of the president to withhold funds for bills that have been adopted. C. The Supreme Court is hesitant to acknowledge the president's power to veto legislation. D. The president wants to ensure executive agencies do not spend the money appropriated by Congress.
A. The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto. A signing statement allows the president to outline his interpretation of the legislation, express concerns about specific provisions, and often, indicate how the executive branch intends to implement (or not implement) certain parts of the bill. The president may choose this route to avoid a direct confrontation with Congress that a veto represents
By using the phrase "creative federalism," President Johnson is most likely referring to which of the following features of the American system? A. The relationship between the federal and state governments evolves over time and is flexible enough to permit new forms of interaction B. National policymaking is constrained by the sharing of power between the three branches of government. C. The balance of power between the states and federal government has been trending toward more federal regulation and less state control. D. Congress may use the commerce clause to address problems in public schools such as lack of resources and school safety.
A. The relationship between the federal and state governments evolves over time and is flexible enough to permit new forms of interaction.
Based on your knowledge and the diagram, which of the following is true regarding the leadership structure of Congress? A. The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party B. The vice president is responsible for creating and setting the legislative agenda for the Senate. C. The Speaker of the House has very little power to control members of the majority party in the House of Representatives. D. The majority leaders in both chambers work to ensure that a bipartisan agenda is passed in the Congress.
A. The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party.
The process in the diagram reflects which of the following about the perspective of the framers on constitutional government? A. The system should be able to accommodate political change, but the process for change should incorporate checks and balances. B. Limited government is best achieved through a Constitution that limits the power of the federal government and expands the power of states. C. Citizens ought to determine for themselves by a simple majority the laws that govern a democracy. D. Multiple access points should exist for groups who want to participate in government, with the states acting as laboratories of democracy
A. The system should be able to accommodate political change, but the process for change should incorporate checks and balances.
Which of the following actions did President Johnson suggest he would take to address problems in public schools? A. Driving down the cost of education by removing ineffective teachers B. Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education C. Increasing school accountability by requiring schools to show evidence of improvement D. Scaling back the role of the federal government and allowing state and local governments to take the lead in education policy
B. Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education
11. Which of the following ideals of democracy is reflected in the procedure for apportionment in the House of Representatives? A. The federal government represents states equally. B. Government is based on the consent of the governed. C. Leaders in Congress are among the most well-informed in society. D. Political power is distributed between the national government and state governments
B. Government is based on the consent of the governed. HOR based on population
Which of the following explains President Johnson's motivation for the speech in relation to his role as the head of the executive branch? A. President Johnson believes that Congress will soon pass a bill on education reform,and he would like to be able to claim credit for it. B. President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. C. President Johnson is expecting the Supreme Court to soon rule on the constitutionality of a law passed by the previous administration D. President Johnson is issuing an executive order calling on local governments to increase training for teachers and address poverty among students.
B. President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. The "bully pulpit" refers to the president's power to use the office as a platform to advocate for an agenda and shape public opinion.
In the case of McDonald v. Chicago (2010) the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense was applicable to the states. This ruling is an example of the application of the doctrine of A. Strict scrutiny B. Selective incorporation C. Stare decisis D. Literalism
B. Selective incorporation
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy? A. A lobbyist representing the National Rifle Association refusing to meet with employees from the Department of Homeland Security B. The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee C. The White House chief of staff being formally censured by the president for publicly speaking out against the president's policy goal D. A federal judge being impeached for making legal decisions based on bribes
B. The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee
24. Which of the following statements is most accurately supported by the data in the table? A. President Clinton greatly reduced the use of presidential signing statements compared with his predecessors. B. While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's. C. President Clinton's brief access to the power of the line-item veto allowed him to issue fewer signing statements that raised concerns about legislation. D. President George W. Bush was forced to issue more signing statements as a direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
B. While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's.
In 2012, after negotiations on a bill in Congress failed, President Obama issued an executive order that protected from deportation individuals illegally brought to the United States as children by their parents. The president took this action because A. the executive order would require Congress to bring a bill regarding illegal immigration to the floor for a vote B. disagreement between congressional leaders and the president on the issue meant that a compromise on a bill was not likely C. the president was reacting to a Supreme Court decision that required him to do something to protect these individuals D. the Constitution clearly gives the president control over the legal status of immigrants in the United States
B. disagreement between congressional leaders and the president on the issue meant that a compromise on a bill was not likely. When legislative efforts to address certain issues are stalled or fail in Congress, presidents may use executive orders as a means to unilaterally direct government policy in areas where they believe urgent action is needed and legislative compromise cannot be reached.
15. Which of the following scenarios is an example of the trustee model of representation? A. The NAACP leadership sends representatives to Washington to lobby for changes to the Voting Rights Act. B. Congress passes a bill allocating money to clean up nuclear waste sites after a wave of large-scale peaceful protests. C. A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt. D. A presidential candidate advocates using an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors.
C. A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a member of Congress supporting pork-barrel legislation? A. A senator from a coal-producing state voting against a job-training program for coal miners B. A member of the House voting for urban renewal in exchange for increased funding for roads C. A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state D. A member of the House Armed Services Committee marking up a bill that will increase funding for military bases
C. A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state
The process shown in the diagram is outlined in which of the following parts of the United States Constitution? A. Article I B. Article II C. Article V D. Article VI
C. Article V Article V of the U.S. Constitution describes the process for amending the Constitution,
Which of the following policies would the states most likely prefer according to the political cartoon? A. Federal mandates B. Regulatory preemption C. Block grants D. Categorical grants
C. Block grants Block grants are sums of money given by the federal government to state governments for broad purposes with fewer restrictions on how the money is spent
Which of the following is a consequence of having concurrent powers within a federal system of government? A. The executive branch can expand its control of the policy agenda. B. States can pass laws that override the laws of the federal government. C. Citizens and interest groups seeking policy change can choose from multiple access points. D. Members of Congress can cultivate close relationships with power brokers in their regions.
C. Citizens and interest groups seeking policy change can choose from multiple access points.
On February 9, 2016, President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the 2017 fiscal year. Facing a Republican Congress, many declared the plan dead on arrival. Among the cited issues was Obama's request for $582.7 billion in discretionary spending for defense, which many Republicans believed was not enough. Which of the following most accurately explains the interaction between the president and the Congress regarding the defense budget? A. The Congress has the enumerated power to raise revenue, but it is forced to work with the president because the president has the power to determine spending for each department in the upcoming fiscal year. B. The president can create a budget for defense spending, but Congress has the power to execute laws and operate the government, which can affect how much money is actually spent. C. Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but
C. Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill.
Which of the following best indicates how a court would rule in this case if the Supreme Court's ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) was used as a precedent? A. The president has the authority to stop the publication of the story because the administration has asserted that the information in the story threatens national security. B. Although the documents have already been obtained by the press, a court must review the documents prior to publication to ensure that no information that threatens national security is made public. C. Freedom of the press includes a heavy presumption against government censorship, and the documents can be published by the press. D. Because the president's staff leaked the documents and the newspaper obtained them in an illegal manner, a court can stop publication until law enforcement investigates.
C. Freedom of the press includes a heavy presumption against government censorship, and the documents can be published by the press.
The Web site healthcare.gov was launched on October 1, 2013, to help citizens purchase health insurance for themselves in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Within two hours of launch the site crashed. Once it was restored, problems continued, leading to difficulty for users. The following year, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius was called to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss the issue. The committee held this hearing as part of which of the following functions? A. Committee markup B. Budget testimony C. Oversight D. Impeachment
C. Oversight Congressional oversight refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.
The majority party in the Senate is concerned that the Supreme Court has made a number of ideologically dangerous and controversial rulings. Which of the following actions could be taken by the Senate to limit the Supreme Court's power? A. Replace the chief justice of the Supreme Court with someone with whom they agree with ideologically B. Pass legislation already passed by the House that would limit the impact of the Supreme Court's recent rulings C. Ratify a constitutional amendment limiting the Supreme Court's power D. Enforce term limits for justices on the Supreme Court
C. Ratify a constitutional amendment limiting the Supreme Court's power
A new president has been elected after running on a campaign of lowering taxes and reducing spending on discretionary programs but now must work with Congress to ensure legislation passes which achieves those goals. Which of the leaders in the diagram plays the most crucial role in shaping the legislation that the president wants passed? A. President pro-tempore B. Vice president C. Speaker of the House D. House majority leader
C. Speaker Of the house
6. Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon? A. State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government's mandates. B. State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states. C. State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent. D. The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities.
C. State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent.
Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety? A. The Supreme Court will be asked to review the legislation annually. B. States will be empowered to begin automobile manufacturing. C. The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations. D. Mandatory spending will be required in all future federal budgeting for the program.
C. The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations.
A liberal response to the "strained resources" of local government most likely would include A. a reduction of federal income taxes so that state and local governments can use those resources B. less federal regulation and more authority for local school boards to create curricula and standards C. an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities D. encouraging state and local governments to offer vouchers so that students can attend private or charter schools
C. an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities. Typically, a liberal approach to addressing issues of limited local resources would involve advocating for more direct federal investment and intervention, particularly in areas such as public education and assistance for economically disadvantaged areas.
The Warren Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) demonstrates which of the following about Supreme Court decisions? A. Precedents established by the Supreme Court are frequently overturned by lower courts. B. The Supreme Court has used a colorblind interpretation of the Constitution to guide judicial precedent over time. C. Precedents established by the Supreme Court decades ago are generally not addressed after a certain period of time. D. Ideological changes in the composition of the Supreme Court have led to the rejection of an existing precedent.
D. Ideological changes in the composition of the Supreme Court have led to the rejection of an existing precedent.
Which of the following is a model of democracy that emphasizes the role of interest groups in advocating for public policy? A. Participatory democracy B. Elitist democracy C. Majoritarian democracy D. Pluralist democracy
D. Pluralist democracy Pluralist democracy is the theory that political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups. It suggests that this competition among groups shapes public policy and decision-making, with no single group dominating the process
During his confirmation hearing, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that Roe v. Wade (1973) "is the settled law of the land." This statement suggests that in a future case that challenges the constitutionality of legislation restricting privacy and reproductive rights, which of the following should be a key factor in the court's ruling? A. Briefs submitted by interested parties B. Contemporary societal norms C. The consensus of the other justices D. Reliance on legal precedent
D. Reliance on legal precedent
The clause of the United States Constitution that was used in the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) was A. The due process clause B. The necessary and proper clause C. The free exercise clause D. The equal protection clause
D. The equal protection clause
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of concurrent powers? A. The president negotiates a treaty regarding climate change with foreign governments, but for the treaty to take effect, it requires approval by the Senate. B. As commander-in-chief of the military, the president orders troops to a foreign nation to address a potential threat to national security. C. A Senate committee holds a hearing to discuss potential misuse of funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs. D. The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the United States, while the other 75% of the funding comes from States
D. The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the United States, while the other 75% of the funding comes from States concurrent powers: powers that are shared by both the federal government and state governments
Which of the following is an example of how separation of powers creates friction between the executive and legislative branches in the policymaking process? A. The electoral college vote ends with no candidate receiving a majority of the votes, and the House of Representatives is delegated the task of selecting the next president. B. The Senate votes to impeach a sitting president for high crimes and misdemeanors. C. The secretary of state is dispatched along with a delegation of senators to negotiate a treaty with a foreign government. D. The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress continues to refuse to take Action.
D. The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress continues to refuse to take Action.
In the 1780s, proponents of the new Constitution cited Shays' Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? A. The national government did not provide sufficient protection of individual rights. B. The lack of a centralized judiciary made enforcement of national laws difficult. C. States with larger populations were underrepresented in Congress. D. There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns.
D. There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns.
