CONGRESS AP GOV

The Constitution gives the greatest amount of power to the legislative branch. In the current political climate and function of government

congress has abdicated leadership to the executive branch making it the least popular and least powerful of the 3 branches

All of the following are ways the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT

congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional

The largest portion of uncontrollable spending in the federal budget is designated for which of the following?

entitlement spending

Which of the following is an example of congressional oversight?

holding hearings for review of an executive agency's activities

The majority of work in Congress is done where?

in committees

All of the following contribute to the advantages of incumbents members on Congress in election campaigns EXCEPT

incumbents can use members of their legislative staff to perform campaign services

Federal benefits that must be funded by Congress and must be paid to all citizens who meet eligibility criteria are called

individual entitlements

Which of the following statements about the Senate is true?

individual senators can exercise substantial influence over the legislative process

The role Congress plays in ensuring that executive branch agencies are carrying out their legislated responsibilities is known as

legislative oversight

In the process and structure of public policy making, "iron triangle" refers to the

networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process

The term "pork barrel" refers to legislation specifically designed to

provide funding for local projects that are intended to benefit constituents

In the iron triangle process. Lobbyists try to influence legislators mainly through

providing legislators with information on technical issues

Which of the following committees in the House of Representatives exercises the most power?

rules

Which of the following committees of the House of Representatives sets the conditions for debate and amendment of most legislation?

rules

Nominations to the Supreme Court must be approved by a

simple majority vote in the Senate only

The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in

the United States House of Representatives

The most significant power of congress is

the power of the purse

Which of the following is a means by which a bill can be "killed" in the House of Representatives?

the rules placed on legislation may hinder it from passing

Of the following which is the most powerful figure in congress?

the speaker of the house

A major difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that

there is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House

Which of the following statements about motions for closure is true?

they are used by senators to end a filibuster and bring a bill to vote

Which of the following is an advantage by incumbents in getting reelected?

they can send free mail to their districts most of the time, have high name recognition, they are able to help their constituents through earmark spending (pork barrel), they typically have more money than challengers

In which of the following scenarios would a presidential veto most likely be upheld?

two-thirds of the representatives and senators are members of the same party as the president