AP GOV MCQ

Those who believe that the Supreme Court in its rulings should defer to the elective committee institutions of government are advocating A) "social darwinism" B) "judicial activism" C) "judicial restraint" D) "incorporation"

"judicial restraint"

Which of the following pairs accurately identifies the methods used by congress and the President to hold the bureaucracy accountable to the other branches? A) Congress: Holding a committee hearing President: Appointing a cabinet B) Congress: Using the power of the purse to control spending President: Negotiating a treaty C) Congress: Firing civil servants President: Exercising power as commander in chief D) Congress: Meeting in a congressional caucus President: Attaching a signing statement to legislation

A

Appellate Courts

A court with appellate jurisdiction that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts.

Which of the following is most likely an effect of the trend in the line graph? A) An increase in accountability of the bureaucracy B) A decrease in the length of regulatory bills passed by Congress C) A decrease in congressional oversight as a mechanism to control the bureaucracy

A decrease in congressional oversight as a mechanism to control the bureaucracy

writ of certiorari

An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review

Which of the following sections of the United States Constitution is most related to the case Marbury v. Madison+

Article lll

Which of the following best explains why cabinet secretaries might not aggressively pursue the presidents policy agenda?

Cabinet secretaries may develop strong loyalty to their departments.

Which of the following explains an action Congress can take that would have the most influence on the data on the graphs? A) Member son congress can increase congressional salaries, but only for the next congress B) Congress can pass legislation that changes the federal salary structure C) Congress can cut funding for federal programs, which could lead to a decrease in salaries D) Congress can enforce a regulation that addresses age increases

Congress can pass legislation that changes the federal salary structure

Which of the following explains an action Congress can take that would have the most influence on the data on the graphs? (Federal Civilian Employee Salaries)

Congress can pass legislation that changes the federal salary structure.

Which of the following possible actions illustrates a way Congress interacts with the bureaucracy to address the problem shown in the infographic? (Truck Infographic)

Congress could have members of the Department of Transportation testify before a committee to discuss the issue and potential solutions.

Which of the following is a way congress can influence the federal judiciary? A) it can prohibit judicial activism B) it can filibuster decisions made by courts C) it can change appellate jurisdiction of federal courts D) It can review federal judges for reappointment every ten years E) It cn exercise oversight authority over rulings of individual justices.

It can change appellate jurisdiction

The doctrine of stare decisis is significant for which of the following reasons? A) It establishes the jurisdiction of federal courts in litigation involving two or more states B) It is the principle that affirms that courts are bound by prior decisions C) It is the policy by which the Supreme Court decides which of the appellate cases it will hear

It is the principle that affirms that courts are bound by prior decisions

stare decisis

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

The Federalist No. 78 says, "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body."In which of the following decisions did the Supreme Court use an argument most similar to the one in The Federalist No. 78 ?

Marbury v. Madison

Which of the following United States Supreme Court cases established the principle of judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison

Which of the following United States Supreme Court cases established the principle of judicial review? A) McCullock v. Maryland B)) Gibbons v. Ogden C) Wolf v . Colorado D) Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison

In the Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton states, "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning. "which of the following Supreme court cases is most relevant to this statement?

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Which of the following is responsible for the preparation of executive spending proposals submitted by Congress> A) Treasury Department B) Council of Economic Advisors C) Federal Trade Commission D) Office of Management and Budget E) Department of Commerce

Office of Management and Budget

Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be drawn from the data in the table? A) Support for the Vietnam War led Congress to hold more hearings to discuss increases in expenditures on the military effort B) Public concern over the Vietnam War led Congress to hold more hearing to consider using the power of the purse to influence the conduct of the war C) the public reaction the the September 11 terrosit attacks led to many hearings to limit federal expenditures to fight terrorism

Public concern over the Vietnam War led Congress to hold more hearing to consider using the power of the purse to influence the conduct of the war

In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the United States Supreme Court ruled that a Georgia law violated the U.S. Constitution. In response to Chief Justice John Marshall's majority opinion, President Andrew Jackson said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." Which of the following ideas regarding government does President Jackson's statement exhibit?

Since the Supreme Court has no enforcement mechanism, the executive and legislative branches can restrict its decisions.

The supreme court upholds a law passed by Congress as constitutional. The chief justice states in the majority opinion that previous decisions supporting Congress' power to make laws based on the commerce clause of the Constitution were the basis for the decision. Which of the following legal concepts did the chief justice apply in writing the opinion.

Stare decsis (precedent)

Which of the following statements best describes the Supreme Courts actions with respect to disputes between Congress and the President? A) The Court has refused to allow Congress to subpoena officials from the Executive branch B) The Court generally has tried to avoid deciding conflicts between Congress and the President C) he Court has supported congressional use of the legislative veto as a means of controlling the President

The Court generally has tried to avoid deciding conflicts between Congress and the President

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the process of bureaucratic rule making? A) The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs considers the credentials of a person nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits. B) The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand C) The president signs Executive Order 13777 intended to "lower regulatory burdens on the American people by implementing and enforcing regulatory reform" D) The Supreme Court denies a writ of certiorari in Freddi H. Mathis V. David J. Sulking, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which focused on veterans' disability claims.

The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand C) The president signs Executive

Cabinet departments differ from independent regulatory agencies in which of the following ways? A) The President can use an executive order to create a cabinet department but not to create an independent regulatory agency. B) The President can dismiss cabinet officers, but not commissioners of independent regulatory agencies. C) The President seeks appointees who reflect administration views in making cabinet appointments but not in making appointments to independent regulatory agencies. D) Through the appropriations process, Congress can exert control over the cabinet departments but not over independent regulatory agencies. E) The courts can overrule regulations issued by cabinet departments, but not those issued by independent regulatory agencies.

The President can dismiss cabinet officers, but not commissioners of independent regulatory agencies.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a case being decided based on precedent? A) The Supreme Court bases its decision in a case involving the commerce clause on one of its earlier decisions involving the commerce clause B) The Supreme Court overturns a lower court decision in a case dealing with voter identification laws C) A state passes a law which contradicts federal law, causing the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the federal government

The Supreme Court bases its decision in a case involving the commerce clause on one of its earlier decisions involving the commerce clause

In the case Wickard v. Filburn (1942), Roscoe Filburn was penalized for producing 12 acres of wheat above his allotment under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. The law, justified under Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce, limited the amount of wheat an individual could grow. This regulation would keep prices from dropping and prevent farmers from going bankrupt. Filburn claimed that the excess wheat was for his own use, and challenged that no interstate commerce was involved. The Supreme Court ruled that the commerce clause allowed the government to regulate Filburn's personal wheat production, even though it was only indirectly related to interstate commerce.Which of the following was a likely result of the decision in Wickard v. Filburn that contributed to the Court's later decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) ? A) The Supreme Court is not elected, so unpopular decisions such as in the Wickard case cannot be overturned unless Congress acts upon it. B) Laws passed by Congress have since undergone judicial review by the Supreme Court to ensure that the commerce clause and other parts of the Constitution are interpreted correctly C) The expansive interpretation of the commerce clause by the Supreme Court which greatly extended the power of Congress drew criticism that eventually led to a more narrow interpretation.

The expansive interpretation of the commerce clause by the Supreme Court which greatly extended the power of Congress drew criticism that eventually led to a more narrow interpretation.

How does judicial review help with checks and balances?

The power of judicial review can declare that laws and actions of local, state, or national government are invalid if they conflict with the Constitution.

which of the following is the best predictor of the Department of Educations annual budget?

The size of the previous years budget

which of the following is true of nominees for federal judgeships? A) They are recruited from the current pool of United States attorneys. B) They are nominated by the Senate and approved by the House of Representatives C) They are elected in popular elections in individual states D) They must receive the approval of the American Bar Association upon nomination E. They are appointed for life by the President with advise and consent of the Senate.

They are appointed for life by the President with advise and consent of the Senate.

Which of the following best describes how a president can influence the data in the graphs? (Federal Civilian Employee Salaries)

Through the role of chief executive officer of the executive branch, the president can determine salary grades of federal employees.

Which of the following best reflects a function of the Supreme Court in Article lll of the constitution?

To serve as the highest court of appeals

Which of the following actions can Congress take if the Supreme Court finds a federal law unconstitutional?

Try to amend the constitution

In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the Supreme Court used the power of judicial review established in Marbury v. Madison (1803) to strike down a Georgia state law that regulated the relationship between citizens of Georgia and members of the Cherokee Nation. President Andrew Jackson opposed the decision and famously challenged the Supreme Court to enforce it. As the Supreme Court was not able to enforce the decision, the other branches of government ignored it. This example illustrates which of the following? A) the president can approve or veto decisions made by the Supreme Court B) States have the power to nullify federal laws C) Unpopular Supreme Court decisions can be avoided or ignored if other branches refuse to cooperate with the outcomes of those decisions

Unpopular Supreme Court decisions can be avoided or ignored if other branches refuse to cooperate with the outcomes of those decisions

A fundamental source of power for the federal bureaucracy lies in itsrole in moving legislation out of subcommittees A) role in mediating interstate conflicts B) ability to convince Congress to fund most projects it supports C) ability to mobilize public opinion in support of legislative initiatives D) ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from Congress

ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from Congress

A fundamental source of power for the federal bureaucracy lies in its

ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from congress

Congressional oversight refers to the power of Congress to A) override presidential votes B) hold public hearings before confirming judicial appointees C) exercise some control over executive agencies D) allow nongovernmental agencies to defend or refute pending legislation publicly

exercise some control over executive agencies

the term "iron triangle" refers to the interrelationship of the

federal bureaucracy, congressional committees, and lobbyists

Entitlement Spending

government spending on certain programs that are required by law

A policy that sets emission standards for automobiles is an example of A) regulatory policy B) judicial policy C) fiscal policy D) distributive policy E)monetary policy

regulatory policy

When independent regulatory agencies make rules, enforce those rules, and adjudicate disputes arising under those rules, they risk violating the constitutional concept of A) equal protection of the laws B) due process of law C) federal supremacy D) separation of powers

separation of powers

discretionary spending

subject to the appropriations process, whereby Congress sets a new funding level each fiscal year.

Judicial activism

takes a more expansive view of their powers, even if these rights are not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

which of the following explains how the bureaucracy can address a problem shown in the infographic? A) the Department of Transportation can write stronger regulations on freight volume B) The president can negotiate a treaty that would allow for increased imports of oil

the Department of Transportation can write stronger regulations on freight volume

the framers of the constitution designed which of the following to be least responsive to the public opinion? A) The office of the president B) the courts C) congress D) the electoral college

the courts

which of the following is true of independent regulatory agencies? A) They tend to have larger budgets than cabinet departments B) they tend to be freer from presidential control than are cabinet departments C) they provide a product or service directly to the public

they tend to be freer from presidential control than are cabinet departments

An advantage that bureaucrats in federal government have over the President in the policymaking process is that bureaucrats A) control the budgetary process B) have an independence from the President that is guaranteed by the constitution C) find it easier to Marshall public support than does the President D) usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the President lacks E) have better access to the media than does the President

usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the President lacks