Congress Practice Questions
A difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that in the House A. legislative activity on the floor is more constrained by rules B. committees are less important in the decision-making process C. junior members have more influence over legislative decisions D. party leaders are less powerful E. bills are more likely to be amended on the floor
A
A difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that in the House... A. legislative activity on the floor is more constrained by rules B. committees are less important in the decision-making process C. junior members have more influence over legislative decision D. party leaders are less powerful E. bills are more likely to be amended on the floor
A
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
Bicameralism means that a legislative body is one... A. with two houses, providing checks and balances on policymaking B. in which each state has two senators, providing equal representation of the states C. in which incumbents have a batter chance of being reelected, providing continuity in policymaking D. that must share power with a president, providing more efficient policymaking E. in which there are only two political parties
A
Most of the work that is done in Congress today... A. is done through standing committees B. is done in conjuction with the president C. is done on trhe floor of each chamber D. occurs in private meetings with lobbyists E. none of these answers are correct
A
Senator Smith votes her conscience on bills that her consituents care little about, but the votes according to the wishes of the majority of her consituents on other bills. Which model of representation do her actions embody? A. the politico model B. the trustee model C. the majoritarian model D. the delegate model
A
The United States Constitution says that Congress has the power to coin money.This is an example of A. an enumerated power B. an implied power C. an inherent power D. a reserved power E. a concurrent power
A
The _____ makes economic projections about the performance of the economy, the costs of proposed policies, and the economic effects of taxing and spending alternatives..... A. Congressional Budget Office B. Congressional Research Service C. House Ways and Means Committee D. Senate Banking Committee
A
The term "bicameralism" refers to the A. establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules B. members of the House of Representatives having two-year terms C. president having veto power over both chambers of Congress D. members of the House and Senate having to appease their mutual constituencies E. checks that Congress has over the federal bureaucracy
A
When a bill passes the House and the Senate in different versions, the bill is resolved by which of the following types of committees? A. conference B. select C. reconciliation D. rules E. standing
A
Which of the following is true of both members of the House and Senate? A. they just be citizens of the USA B. they serve 2 year terms in office C. they can have their election changes directly affected by reapportionment D. they must be at least 30 years of age E. they must have statewide appeal in order to get elected
A
_____ privileges refer to the free use of the mails enjoyed A. franking B. conmail C. junket D. procurement E. e-mail
A
"Pork barrel" legislation helps the reelection chances of a member of Congress because such legislation A. gives the member of Congress national standing and coverage on national television news B. helps earn the member of Congress a reputation for service to his or her district C. attracts campaign contributions from ideological political action committees (PACs) D. prevents other candidates from claiming that the member of Congress is too liberal for his or her district E. requires the member of Congress to travel extensively
B
A "cloture motion" passed in the Senate does which of the following? A. Returns a bill to committee. B. Cuts off debate on a bill. C. Criticizes a senator guilty of improprieties. D. Removes a President who has been impeached by the House. E. Brings a bill directly to a vote without formal committee approval.
B
A ____ committee is one appointed for a limited, specific purpose, such as that set up to investigate the Watergate scandal... A. standing B. select C. conference D. joint E. special
B
A first term member of the House of Representatives from North Dakota who wished to maximize opportunities for constituent service would be most likely to seek placement on which of the following committees? A. Judiciary B. Agriculture C. Rules D. Foreign Affairs E. Science and Technology
B
Constitutional checks and balances, especially applied to the president, are designed to... A. provide for a balanced budget B. minimize the threat of tyranny from any one branch of government C. ensure that the states do not become too powerful D. ensure efficient government E. ensure that the federal government is millitarily strong
B
Of the following, which is the most powerful figure in Congress? A. The Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee B. The Speaker of the House C. The Minority Whip of the Senate D. The Majority Whip of the House E. The Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
B
One of the key differences between the House and Senate is that the Senate.... A. is more centralized B. is less dependent on seniority for determining power C. has a lower turnover rate D. has stronger leadership E. has more anarchy
B
The pork barrell may aid the district of a member of Congress by ____ A. diverting allocated funds to the service sector B. increasing jobs and revenue with federally funded projects C. increasing revenue through private market investment D. taxing corporations less so they provide health insurance for employees
B
To end a filibuster requires ____ members present and voting to vit off debate A. 50 B. 60 C. 75 D. 99 E. 218
B
To which of the following congressional committees would a proposal to reform the national income-tax system initially be sent? A. House Appropriations Committee B. House Ways and Means Committee C. House Budget Committee D. Senate Budget Committee E. Senate Finance Committee
B
Under the U.S. Constitution, to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives a person must be ___ years of age and ___ years of age to serve in the U.S. Senate... A. 25; 25 B. 25; 30 C. 30; 30 D. 35; 40 E. 40; 50
B
Which of the following actions by a congressional representatives is an example of "pork barreling"? A. Misusing campaign contributions B Directing federal funds into representative's district through legislation C. Accepting money from a politcal action committee (PAC) D. Attempting to kill a bill with unacceptable amendments E. Voting for a salary increase
B
Which of the following committees plays a major role in the House in shaping tax policy? A. Finance B. Ways and Means C. Commerce D. Appropriations E. Governmental Affairs
B
Which of the following powers is shared by the House of Representatives and the Senate? A. Holding trials of impeachment B. Establishing federal courts C. Approving treaties D. Holding confirmation hearings E. Approving major presidential appointments
B
Which of the following statements about Congress is true? A. Members of Congress only occasionally are interested in and pay attention to constituents. B. The legislative process is frequently lengthy, decentralized, and characterized by compromise and bargaining. C. Lobbyists and political action committees (PAC's) successfully induce most members of Congress to trade their votes for campaign contributions. D. The growth in the size of Congress as an organization is the principal cause of growth in the federal budget deficit. E. Debate in both houses is structured by elaborate rules enacted by leaders of the majority party.
B
which incumbency advanatage involves efforts to highlight an incumbent's service to individuals and to the district? A. visibility B. credit claiming C. lobbying d. position taking
B
A President attempting to influence Congress to pass a legislative program might employ all of the following strategies EXCEPT A. using the media to draw attention to the legislative program B. assigning legislative liaisons in the Executive Office of the President to lobby legislators C. denying campaign reelection funds to legislators who oppose the President's policy stand D. exploiting a partisan majority for the President's party in both the House and Senate E. reminding legislators of high popularity ratings for the President in public opinion polls
C
A discharge petition is rarely used in the House of Representatives because A. it is unconstitutional to use a discharge petition in the House of Representatives B. the House is too large for a discharge petition to be effective C. a two thirds majority is required to issue a discharge petition D. it is a challenge to majority leadership and informal rules of behavior E. the unschdueled use of a discharge petition could offend members of the Senate
C
According to the Constitution, revenue bills most originate in the... A. Internal Revenue Service B. Federal Reserve System C. House D. Senate E. Treasury Department
C
Advocates of shifting the task of drawing United States House districts from state legislatures to independent commissions are likely to claim which of the following as an advantage of independent commissions? A. House districts drawn by independent commissions are immune from challenges by the United States Department of Justice. B. Independent commissions are more likely to create majority-minority districts where they are appropriate. C. Independent commissions significantly reduce the influence of partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process. D. Independent commissions are more likely to create districts where minor parties can be victorious. E. Independent commissions are more able to draw legislative districts that comply with the one person, one vote standard.
C
Advocates of shifting the task of drawing United States House districts from state legislatures to independent commissions are likely to claim which of the following as an advatage of independent comissions? A. House districts drawn by independent commissions are immune from challenges by the United States Department of Justice B. Independent commisions are more likley to create majority- miniority districts where they are appropriate C. Independent commisions significantly reduce the influence of partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process D. Independent commisions are more likely to create districts where minor parties can be victorious E. Independent commissions are more able to draw legislative districts that compley with the one person, one vote standard
C
If Congress wanted to effect a change in the Social Security payroll tax, to what congressional committee would the task initially be assigned? A. House Appropriations Committee B. Senate Appropriations Committee C. House Ways and Means Committee D. House Rules Committee E. Senate Finance Committee
C
Most of the bills introduced in the House and the Senate are then A. passed by one chamber but not the other B. passed by both chambers but vetoed by the President C. referred to committee but never sent to the full Congress D. voted down during the amendment stage of the floor debate E. killed in the Rules Committee
C
Most of the business of Congress takes place A. in congressional districts B. on the floor of the House and Senate C. in committees and subcommittees D. during evening social functions E. in the Rules committees
C
Only ___ can formally submit a bill for congressional consideration... A. members of the House B. senators C. members of the House or senators D. the president E. the speaker of the house
C
Presidential leadership of Congress in promoting the chief executive's programs is... A. dominant, with a heavy hand usually convincing wavering members B. a smooth, generally successful enterprise C. at the margins, as a facilitator D. nonexistent E. proactive, substantive, and adversarial
C
Refer to the passage for the following question. I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.... It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. - George Washington's Farewell Address, 1796 Which of the following scenarios illustrates Washington's concerns? A. An increasing number of voters are not turning out to vote in elections. B. Federalism can lead to different public policy outcomes between states. C. Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock. D. Members of the press fail to report on the illegal activities of certain members of the bureaucracy.
C
The House Rules Committee is an important part of the legislative process because it A. determines ethics rules for members' conduct B. determines whether a bill should be referred to a policy committee for consideration C. determines the terms and conditions of debate when a bill goes to the House floor D. has the authority to limit the Speaker and Minority leader in their use of patronage E. negotiates compromises on bills with the Senate Rules Committee
C
The War Powers Resolution does which of the following? A. gives the president the power to declare war B. requires that Congress report to the president before it cuts military appropriations C. requires that they president notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops D. allows the National Security Council to condict military operations if the president is incapacitated E. shifts military command responsibility from the president to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C
The practice in Congress whereby Representative A promises to vote for Representative B's legislation, provided that Representative B will support Representative A's legislation, is referred to as A. personal casework and services B. partisan discipline C. logrolling D. pork barrel legislation E. filibustering
C
There are currently ________ voting members of the U.S. House of Representatives and ________ voting members of the U.S. Senate... A. 300; 50 B. 400; 80 C. 435; 100 D. 500; 150 E. 600; 200
C
When none of the presidential candidates recieves a majoity of the votes in the electoral college, the winner is chosen by the.... A. FEC B. Supreme Court C. House of Representatives D. Senate only E. majority of the House and Senate
C
When the House and the Senate pass different versions of the same bill A. the House bill is changed to conform with the Senate bill B. the Senate bill is changed to conform with the House bill C. a conference committee is appointed to resolve differences D. a joint committee is appointed to resolve differences E. the president may select which bill to enact into law
C
Which of the following best describes gerrymandering? A. The party in power wins four or five surrounding districts by very small margins. B. The Supreme Court requires that state legislatures must adopt the doctrine of one person, one vote. C. The party in control of the state legislature draws district boundaries in such a way as to favor its own candidates in subsequent elections. D. By polling voters, party officials are able to determine how citizens will vote. E. The public decides which issues are most important and tells the elected officials how to vote on specific bills.
C
Which of the following is a unique power held by members of the Senate? A. Control of the veto B. Control of the appropriations process C. The ability to filibuster D. The ability to impeach the president E. The ability to work with a clearly defined constituency
C
Which of the following is an accurate comparision of the House of Representatives and the Senate? A. House- only the speaker of the House can initiate the legislation process by proposing bills; Senate- only the majority leader can initatte the legislative process by proposing bills B. House- member can delay the policymasking process by invoking cloture; Senate- members can delay the policy-making process through the use of filibuster C. House- members are elected by constituents in a local district based on population; Senate- members are elected by constituents of an entire state D. House- members serve six year terms; Senate- members serve two year terms
C
Which of the following is the most likely consequence of divided government? A. Reorganization of the federal bureaucracy B. Conflicts between states C. Delays in confirmation of federal court nominees D. Conflicts between national government and states E. Elimination of the seniority rule in Congress
C
Which of the following is the primary reason for the tensions that exist between the legislative and executive branches of the federal government? A. each branch sets and approves the other's budget B. the branches are staffed with many of the same people C. the branches have different constituencies with different interests D. the branches are responsible for the selection of cabinet-level officials E. each branch has the constitutional power to levy taxes
C
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
Which of the following statements about the Senate is true? A. Each state is represented in the Senate according to its population. B. The Senate, unlike the House, has a Rules Committee. C. Individual senators can exercise substantial influence over the legislative process. D. The Senate has a strict time limit on debates. E. The Senate is more responsible than the House for initiating appropriations legislation.
C
A committee chair in the House of Representatives is always A. the member with the longest service on the committee B. the member with the longest service in the House C. a representative of the Speaker D. a member of the majority party in the chamber E. a trusted ally of the President
D
A member of the House of Representatives has introduced a bill to raise the minimum wage, but it has been in committee for 36 days and is unlikely to make it to the floor. Which of the following is the best course of action for the representative to take to get a vote on the bill? A. presenting a cloture motion B. placing a hold on the bill C. introducing a concurrent resolution D. filiing for a discharge petition
D
A member of the House of Representatives who wishes to be influential in the House itself would most likely seek a place on which of the following committees? A. Agriculture B. International Relations C. Transportation and Infrastructure D. Rules E. Veterans' Affairs
D
All of the following statements pertaining to the presidential veto are true EXCEPT: A. Congress overrides fewer than ten percent of presidential vetoes. B. A vetoed bill is often revised and passed in another form. C. Presidents often threaten to veto bills to increase their leverage with Congress. D. A President may veto part of a bill. E. Congress often places provisions the President wants into a bill the President dislikes to make a veto less likely.
D
Caucuses in Congress... A. press committees to hold hearings B. push their preferred legislation C. mobilize votes for favored legislation D. all of the above E. none of the above
D
Congress is most likely to exert oversight of the executive bureaucracy in which of the following ways? A. directly selecting the head of an executive agency B. impeaching the head of an executive agency C. using the court to block implementation of proposed regulations D. controlling an executive agency's annual budget E. changing the term length of heads of independent regulatory commissons
D
Establishing the boundaries of the United States congressional districts to give one party an advantage over another party is referred to as A. raiding B. apportionment C. reapportionment D. gerrymandering E. filibustering
D
Legislative ____ is the process of monitoring the bureaucracy and its administration of policy A. franking B. stonewalling C. overview D. oversight E. supremacy
D
Most bills formally submitted for consideration in Congress... A. are passed and signed into law B. are passed, but vetoed by the president C. are defeated in close final votes on the floors of one chamber D. are quietly killed off early in the process E. pass one house, but are killed in the other house
D
Partisan _____ is the difference between the parties A. conservatism B. gridlock C. ideology D. polarization
D
The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in A. a White House budget resolution B. the Congressional Budget Office C. the United States Senate D. the United States House of Representatives E. the Office of Management and Budget
D
The _____ has the job of the presiding over the Senate, breaking ties when necessary A. majority leader B. majority whip C. miniority leader D. vice president E. Speaker
D
The best way constituents can influence congressional voting on legislation is to... A. sign petitions B. write letters or send telegrams C. fax or call in their opinion D. elect a representative or sentator who agrees with their views E. demonstrate on the steps of the capitol
D
The government depicted above is best described by which of the following terms? A. Nonpartisan government B. Unicameral government C. Unitary government D. Divided government E. Dealigned government
D
The miniority whip.... A. assists the majority leader in party-line votes B. becomes the Speaker or automatically if the Speaker resigns C. represents African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans in each chamber in Congress D. keeps a close head count on key votes, and attempts to keep party members in line E. is used to punish members who do not vote with the rest of their party
D
The voting patterns of members of Congress correlate most strongly with A. the population density of their districts B. their economic background C. their educational level D. their political party affiliation E. the location of their districts
D
Which of the following are differences between the legislative process in the House of Representatives and that in the Senate? i. Debate is more restricted on the House floor than on the Senate floor. ii. The amendment process is more restricted in the House than in the Senate. iii. Bills are more likely to bybass committee consideration in the House than in the Senate. iv. A Rules Committee sets the guidelines for floor debate in the House but not in the Senate. A. III only B. I and II only C. II and IV only D. I, II, and IV only E. I, II, III, and IV
D
Which of the following identifies the formal procedure for ending a filibuster? A. Oversight B. Logrolling C. Pocket veto D. Cloture E. Discharge petition
D
Which of the following is TRUE about the Senate as compared to the House? A. more centralized with stronger leadership B. seniority more important in determining power C. more influential on the budget D. more influential in foreign affairs E. smaller in number, less powerful and less prestigious
D
Which of the following is true about divided party control of the presidency and Congress? A. It is a natural occurrence due to the constitutional system of checks and balances. B. It rarely occurs in United States elections, because of straight-ticket voting. C. It promotes quick action by the President and Congress on such issues as the federal budget. D. It reflects a frequent election pattern over the past three decades. E. It results from the reapportionment of House seats after the decennial census.
D
Which of the following is true according to the diagram? A. The Senate minority leader is as powerful as the Senate majority whip. B. The Speaker of the House, in coordination with the House majority leader, appoints the House minority leader. C. Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate does not recognize political parties. D. Both chambers make use of a system of majority and minority whips.
D
Which of the following statements about motions for cloture is true? A. They force a bill out of committee so that the full House can vote on it. B. They are applied to bills that failed in the previous session of Congress. C. They are applied only to appropriation bills. D. They are used by senators to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote. E. They occur whenever a bill is reported out of committee.
D
Which of the following statements about trends in presidential approval ratings is supported by information presented in the graph above? A. President Reagan was the most popular President since 1953. B. There is little relationship between military conflicts and presidential approval ratings. C. Presidents have tended to become more popular over time. D. A President's popularity tends to fall during his term in office. E. President Carter suffered the largest drop in popularity of any President since 1953.
D
Which of the following types of committee deals with broad areas of public policy and can be found in both houses of Congress? A. Rules B. Select C. Joint D. Standing E. Conference
D
On what tactics do lobbyists rely to influence policy in Congress? A. Promising money for reelection campaigns B. Providing expert policy information C. Ghostwriting legislation D. All of the above
D. All of the above
Why do incumbents have such a strong electoral advantage? A. They attract more campaign contributions B. They can use the congressional C. franking privilege C. They have more name recognition D. All of the above
D. All of the above
A major difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that A. filibusters are possible only in the House B. revenue bills must originate in the Senate C. judicial nominations originate in a House committee D. each state has equal representation in the House but not in the Senate E. there is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House
E
Congressional legislative powers include all of the following EXCEPT.... A. legislating federal appropriations B. approval of treaties C. establishing a lower court system D. passing federal laws E. pardoning felons
E
Federal spending for which of the following is determined by laws that lie outside the regular budgetary process? A. Military procurement B. Regulatory agency funding C. Government-subsidized housing programs D. Educational assistance programs such as student loans E. Entitlement programs such as Social Security
E
If Congress adjourns during the 10 days the president has to consider a bill passed by both houses of Congress, but which the presideent has not yet signed, what is the result? A. line-item veto B. legislative veto C. executive veto D. judicial review E. pocket veto
E
If legislation passes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate but each version is slightly different, the conflicting bills are sent to A. a standing committee of each house for a vote B. an ad hoc committee for judicial review C. the Rules Committee of each house for reconciliation and compromise D. the majority and minority leaders of both houses for compromise E. a conference committee for review and compromise
E
The details of legislation are usually worked out in which of the following settings? A. a party caucus B. The majority leader's office C. The floor of the House D. Legislative hearings E. A subcommittee
E
Which of the following is true of the seniority system of Congress in relation to committee leadership and committee staffing? A. Members of Congress with the longest continuous service are assured the chairmanship of major congressional committees. B. Members of Congress must be elected from safe seats to accrue committee seniority. C. Members of congressional committees are the most senior members of the body's majority party. D. The oldest members of Congress have the most seniority. E. The chairs of congressional committees tend to be senior members of the body's majority party.
E