PLSC Exam 2
Bureaucracies are only needed by public organization to carry out goals or directives. Large private organizations rarely feature them. True False
False
Clientele agencies are designed to serve the broad interests of the country. True False
False
In 1998, the Supreme Court upheld the president's authority to exercise the line-item veto. True False
False
Politicians delegate little power to bureaucrats. True False
False
Presidents typically gain more political support the longer they are in office. True False
False
The Supreme Court annually grants about 10 percent of the petitions it receives for writs of certiorari. True False
False
The U.S. Constitution explicitly gives the Supreme Court the power of judicial review. True False
False
Presidents have traditionally deferred to senators on the nomination of justices to fill which court? a. district courts b. State supreme courts c. D.C. circuit court d. Supreme Court
a. district courts
Holding a political office for which one is running is called: a. incumbency. b. seniority. c. tenure. d. rank.
a. incumbency.
The use of rules in the House of Representatives a. specifies when, how long, and under what procedures a bill will be considered. b. specifies how members must conduct themselves during debates in the chamber. c. has grown increasingly open in recent years as the majority party tried to encourage more amendments to pass bipartisan legislation. d. is under the control of the party leadership, and rank-and-file members have no means for expressing their concerns.
a. specifies when, how long, and under what procedures a bill will be considered.
With the Electoral College, the Constitution's framers wanted to create a presidency that would be more responsible to _____________________ than the people. a. state and local legislators b. national elites c. battleground states, or states where the presidential votes are likely to be close, d. political parties
a. state and local legislators
The administration of fiscal policy is handled by: a. the Treasury Department. b. the Internal Revenue Service. c. the Federal Reserve System. d. the Office of Management and Budget.
a. the Treasury Department.
If the president vetoes a bill, a. the veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. b. the bill cannot be reintroduced for two years. c. the veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in either the House or Senate. d. the president can take favored parts and enact them through an executive order anyway.
a. the veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.
The president's power to propose a budget every year is which of the following? a) expressed power b) delegated power c) inherent power
b) delegated power
Fire alarm oversight describes a. Congress working hard to directly monitor whether agencies are implementing laws faithfully and efficiently. b. Congress designing procedures that allow interest groups and ordinary citizens to raise an alarm when something has gone wrong. c. Congress delegating power to the executive branch to raise an alarm when an agency is not faithfully and efficiently implementing laws. d. the ability of citizens to bring concerns about federal regulations directly to the Supreme Court to reduce the transaction costs of monitoring federal agencies.
b. Congress designing procedures that allow interest groups and ordinary citizens to raise an alarm when something has gone wrong.
The Constitution grants the power to declare war to: a. the director of homeland security. b. Congress. c. the secretary of defense. d. the president.
b. Congress.
A set of permanent executive branch agencies, such as the Office of Management and Budget and the National Security Council, that perform defined management tasks for the president and compose a major part of what is called the "institutional presidency," is officially known as the: a. cabinet. b. Executive Office of the President. c. White House d. Directorate of Executive Affairs
b. Executive Office of the President.
Controlling the bureaucracy is a. primarily the job of Congress through legislative vetoes and extensive police patrol oversight. b. a shared responsibility for the legislative and executive branches, but the agents often play their multiple principals against one another. c. primarily the job of the executive branch since the Constitution gives the President the responsibility for making sure the laws are faithfully executed. d. a judicial responsibility since there are no concerns about reelection, and the Supreme Court is best positioned to interpret the meaning of legislative statutes.
b. a shared responsibility for the legislative and executive branches, but the agents often play their multiple principals against one another.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), housed within the Department of Justice, is an example of: a. an independent agency. b. a specialized, or bureau-level agency of a cabinet department. c. a regulatory agency. d. an independent cabinet department.
b. a specialized, or bureau-level agency of a cabinet department.
The lowest tier of the federal court system consists of ____________, which are located in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several territories. These take in civil and criminal trial courts of general jurisdiction. a. state courts b. district courts c. constitutional courts d. circuit courts
b. district courts
A court order to the authorities to show cause for the incarceration of a prisoner is known as a writ of: a. attainder. b. habeas corpus. c. mandamus. d. amicus curiae
b. habeas corpus.
The primary task of bureaucracy, whether in government or the private sector, is: a. coordination. b. implementation. c. cost saving. d. systems analysis.
b. implementation.
The person who has the greatest influence on the Supreme Court's day-to-day work is a presidential appointee, one who serves as the government lawyer in almost all appellate cases in which the federal government is a party. The official is the: a. attorney general. b. solicitor general. c. justice secretary. d. chief counsel.
b. solicitor general.
The behavior of members of Congress who may harbor hopes of winning a more prestigious elected position—for example, a senator thinking about running for president—can further complicate legislative dynamics, since: a. it is hard to say whether they will act as trustees or delegates in any given instance b. they may be keeping other constituencies in mind when voting on given issues. c. they rarely vote the way party leaders want. d. their ambition cannot be as easily checked.
b. they may be keeping other constituencies in mind when voting on given issues.
To become a U.S. senator, one must be at least ____________ years old. a. 35 b. 25 c. 30 d. 40
c. 30
Once the president has formally nominated an individual for the courts, the appointee must be approved by the ___________ and then confirmed by __________. a. House Judiciary Committee; full Senate b. majority party caucus; Senate Judiciary Committee. c. Senate Judiciary Committee; full Senate d. American Bar Association; Senate Judiciary Committee
c. Senate Judiciary Committee; full Senate
Over Ninety-nine percent of all court cases in the United States are heard in which of the following venues? a. District courts b. Federal appellate courts c. State courts d. Federal district courts
c. State courts
After the rules for a federal public agency are approved, where are they published? a. Congress.gov b. The Congressional Record c. The Federal Register d. The U.S. Regulatory Code
c. The Federal Register
Which of the following explains why the Supreme Court has been more secure in its ability to strike down acts of Congress? a. Many Americans believe that federal law often supersedes state law. b. Supreme Court justices have been less strategic about the decisions they make. c. The limited use of judicial review during its infancy has helped reinforce greater acceptance of the Court's power to strike down laws. d. Congress has granted substantial enforcement power to the federal judiciary over time, including the right to hold Congress accountable through fines.
c. The limited use of judicial review during its infancy has helped reinforce greater acceptance of the Court's power to strike down laws.
Who has the highest military authority in the United States, with control of the entire military establishment? a. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff b. the White House's national security advisor c. The president, as commander in chief d. The secretary of defense
c. The president, as commander in chief
Who has the highest military authority in the United States, with control of the entire military establishment? a. the White House's national security advisor b. The secretary of defense c. The president, as commander in chief d. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
c. The president, as commander in chief
Which of the following is a problem with a professional civil service? a. There is no way to ensure the hiring of competent individuals knowledgeable about government programs. b. The political parties can exercise undue influence over bureaucrats because of budgetary needs. c. The rules designed to protect career bureaucrats from political retaliation make it difficult to punish them for shirking or incompetence. d. The high levels of turnover hinder the effective implementation of public policies because of a lack of institutional memory concerning best practices.
c. The rules designed to protect career bureaucrats from political retaliation make it difficult to punish them for shirking or incompetence.
The justice on the Supreme Court who presides over the Court's public sessions is the __________ justice. a. lead b. senior c. chief d. executive
c. chief
In 2012, the Government Accountability Office, through which Congress can investigate the financial and administrative affairs of any government agency or program, uncovered evidence of lavish spending at conferences by administrators of the U.S. General Services Administration, the government's real estate and office services and supply agency. In so doing, this staff agency helped Congress in its _________ role. a. gatekeeping b. domestic policy intelligence c. oversight d. administrative
c. oversight
Legislation that captures federal projects and funds for a congressional representative's own district is legislation described as _______________legislation. a. cracker-barrel b. bringing-home-the-bacon c. pork-barrel d. whiskey-barrel
c. pork-barrel
Because the president nominates and the Senate confirms federal court appointments, a. they are sent to the sitting Supreme Court justices for a formal recommendation before the President nominates them. b. they tend to be nonpartisan. c. they do not stray from mainstream public opinion for long. d. the doctrine of judicial review does not work.
c. they do not stray from mainstream public opinion for long.
How many members are in the U.S. Senate? a. 50 b. 102 c. 435 d. 100
d. 100
Some bureaucracies are intended to promote, serve, or represent a particular interest. What is the term used to describe this type of department or bureau? a. Grassroots agency b. Ministry of propaganda c. Interest group agency d. Clientele agency
d. Clientele agency
The most important revenue agency in the United States, which also happens to be one of the nation's largest bureaucracies, is the: a. Office of Management and Budget b. Department of Commerce c. Securities and Exchange Commission d. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
d. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
One of the most important agencies to presidents has been this agency, which oversees preparation of the national budget, involves itself in the president's legislative proposals, and writes relevant policy reports for the executive. a. National Security Council b. Council of Economic Advisers c. Congressional Budget Office d. Office of Management and Budget
d. Office of Management and Budget
Who is the chief presiding officer in the U.S. House of Representatives? a. Majority leader b. Minority leader c. Majority whip d. Speaker of the House
d. Speaker of the House
What do you think motivates most members of Congress? A) Getting reelected B) Making good public policy C) Gaining power and influence D) Representing the interests of their constituents E) Working in an intellectually challenging environment
A) Getting reelected
Being in the majority is more important in the: A) House B) Senate C) No Difference
A) House
The presidential nomination process is A) Centralized, with each state using the same process B) Decentralized, with each state using its own process
B) Decentralized, with each state using its own process
According to the justices, which stage of the case provides them with most of the information they need to decide a case? A) Briefs explaining why cert should be granted B) Merits briefs C)Amicus briefs D) Oral Argument
B) Merits briefs
Which representational style best describes members of the U.S. Senate? A) Delegate B) Trustee
B) Trustee
Voters know more about _______ candidates and comparatively less about those running for the _______. A) House . . . Senate B) House . . . presidency C) Senate . . . House D) Senate . . . presidency
C) Senate . . . House
What is Reapportionment? A) Redrawing district lines after each census B) Redrawing district lines before each census C) Altering the number of seats each state receives in the Senate D) Altering the number of seats each state receives in the House
D) Altering the number of seats each state receives in the House
The presidential cabinet is a collective body that meets regularly to make important policy decisions jointly as a group. True False
False
A common reason why the Supreme Court accepts cases from lower courts is to work out conflicts between them on particular issues. True False
True
A political strategy whereby the president makes the case to the people of the country that a certain policy needs to be enacted is known as "going public." True False
True
A president uses the veto as a means to bargain with Congress. True False
True
In contrast to their counterparts in private industry, public bureaucrats are required to maintain a far more thorough paper trail. True False
True
Most cases are settled before trial. True False
True
Most of the cases filed with the Supreme Court are dismissed without a ruling on their merits. True False
True
Opponents of existing policies and agencies face high hurdles when trying to end them, but supporters of existing policies or agencies find maintaining the status quo easier. True False
True
Since the 1950s, Senate judiciary committee questioning of presidential judicial appointees has become increasingly partisan and, ultimately, ideological. True False
True
The U.S. Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. True False
True
The federal district courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction. True False
True
The key to the effectiveness of bureaucracies lies in their division of labor, which allows for coordination among workers handling specialized jobs or tasks. True False
True
The most effective power that Congress may use to control bureaucratic behavior is the power of the purse, or spending power. True False
True
The rule-making authority often delegated to federal agencies by Congress is essentially a lawmaking authority. True False
True
Three-judge panels typically hear cases in federal appellate circuits, but larger numbers of judges may hear them en banc in some instances. True False
True
A man is accused of holding up a liquor store and stealing hundreds of dollars from the cash register. Where is this case heard first? a) state-level trial court b) federal district court c) federal circuit court of appeal d) U.S. Supreme Court
a) state-level trial court
What is the area of policy over which a committee is assigned responsibility? a. Jurisdiction b. Central function c. Domain d. Area of expertise
a. Jurisdiction
Which of the following statements about opinion writing at the Supreme Court is true? a. Once the majority opinion is drafted, it often undergoes prolonged internal bargaining as the writer tries to persuade the other justices that the legal arguments are correct. b. To ensure that the wishes of the Supreme Court are followed, all of the decisions are tightly written so there is no blurring of the message. c. There is really no difference in effect between a unanimous decision and a 5-4 decision because both decisions still establish a majority for an outcome. d. Members issue few dissenting or concurring opinions because the caseload at the Supreme Court is so extensive that members spend most of their time writing majority opinions.
a. Once the majority opinion is drafted, it often undergoes prolonged internal bargaining as the writer tries to persuade the other justices that the legal arguments are correct.
All of the challenges the bureaucracies face are different facets of what dilemma? a. Principal-Agent Problem b. Free Rider Problem c. Prisoner's Dilemma d. Tragedy of the Commons
a. Principal-Agent Problem
Which informal Senate practice allows a single senator to reject candidates for the federal bench in their own states? a. Senatorial courtesy b. Legislative blackball c. Senatorial consent d. Legislative privilege
a. Senatorial courtesy
Congress's ______________, passed in the early 1970s in the wake of the Vietnam conflict, declared that the president can send troops into action abroad only by authorization of Congress, or if U.S. troops are already under attack or seriously threatened. a. War Powers Resolution Act b. War Power Limitation Act c. War Power-Sharing Agreement d. Escalation Avoidance Act of 1973
a. War Powers Resolution Act
An individual suing an attorney or doctor for malpractice would, in most cases, file a civil claim against the professional in: a. a court in the state in which the alleged malpractice took place. b. federal circuit court. c. bankruptcy court d. an original jurisdiction court.
a. a court in the state in which the alleged malpractice took place.
An announcement made by presidents about how they will interpret or enact a congressional bill is known as: a. a signing statement. b. a line-item veto. c. a presidential directive. d. executive review.
a. a signing statement.
In the process of administrative adjudication, agencies act most like a: a. court. b. police agency. c. legislature. d. dictatorship
a. court.
Supreme Court justices who thoroughly disagree with a case's outcome may publicize the character of their objection by: a. writing a dissenting opinion. b. writing a special concurring and partially dissenting opinion. c. writing eloquently and less guardedly than usual. d. lobbying justices who may be wavering from the majority.
a. writing a dissenting opinion.
Among the qualifications for members of the House of Representatives is a minimum age requirement of __________. a. 30 b. 25 c. 27 d. 35
b. 25
The number of seats in the House of Representatives, although distributed by population, is set by law. What is that number? a. 538 b. 435 c. 535 d. 438
b. 435
Which term describes an understanding between the president and another country that has the force of a treaty but does not require a two-thirds vote of approval by the Senate? a. Bilateral agreement b. Executive agreement c. Foreign trade agreement d. International accord
b. Executive agreement
Which term describes the act of redrawing congressional districts in such a way as to give unfair advantage to the political party in power? a. Reapportionment b. Gerrymandering c. Redistricting d. Redlining
b. Gerrymandering
Which of the following statements about the organization of the federal judiciary is accurate? a. All of the lower courts must follow the decisions of the Supreme Court so there is consistency in the law. b. It is a decentralized organization, physically dispersed across the nation, and administered by individual, life-tenured judges. c. The clean lines of authority stemming from the organizational structure create a tightly supervised hierarchy. d. The Supreme Court has a wide variety of administrative tools that it can use to make sure that its agents implement the Court's policies.
b. It is a decentralized organization, physically dispersed across the nation, and administered by individual, life-tenured judges.
While helping presidents compete successfully with opposition-controlled Congresses, the development of cable television and other mass communications technology has also done which of the following? a. Eroded the President's capacity to enlist television to go public. b. Made going public more effective for presidents. c. Caused opposition parties to be less likely to win control of Congress. d. Made the Supreme Court a much more important institution regarding public policy.
b. Made going public more effective for presidents.
For the Supreme Court to grant certiorari, agreement has to be reached by __________ justices. a. a majority of b. at least four c. all nine d. only two
b. at least four
Attorneys on both sides of a legal case muster the most compelling precedents they can in support of their arguments about why the Court should rule in favor of their clients in written documents called: a. concurrences and dissents. b. briefs. c. claims. d. opinions.
b. briefs.
Some members of the majority may agree with both the outcome and the rationale of a Supreme Court decision but wish to draft a __________ to emphasize or highlight a particular point. a. dissent b. concurrence c. special concurrence d. swing opinion
b. concurrence
An individual accused of committing murder or breaking and entering a home would be tried in a __________ court. a. private b. criminal c. general d. civil
b. criminal
Political parties in Congress a. have grown less unified over time, and there is less agreement on major votes and the ideological gap between the parties has shrunk. b. have grown more unified with higher levels of support on party unity votes as well as becoming more polarized along ideological lines. c. have witnessed the Democratic Party become more unified and more ideologically homoegeneous while Republicans remain fractured into competing coalitions. d. have gotten much stronger in the House of Representatives while growing weaker and less ideologically polarized in the Senate.
b. have grown more unified with higher levels of support on party unity votes as well as becoming more polarized along ideological lines.
In a civil court case, the party that brings charges is called the ____________, whereas the party that defends itself against charges is called the ____________. a. litigant; defendant b. plaintiff; defendant c. party pressing charges; accused d. accused; plaintiff
b. plaintiff; defendant
The term judicial _____________ best describes the power of the courts to declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional. a. restraint b. review c. supremacy d. activism
b. review
The tendency for candidates to win a higher percentage of the vote when running for a second term in office is called the: a. war-chest advantage. b. sophomore surge c. freshman flood. d. brand name effect.
b. sophomore surge
At the federal level, the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal are the courts of last resort for most cases, whether civil or criminal, because: a. congressional statutes prohibit large categories of cases from being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. b. the U.S. Supreme Court can choose what cases it wants to hear, among those appealed from lower courts. c. the cases are typically decided to the satisfaction of major parties involved, especially in civil cases. d. the U.S. Supreme Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear most federal appellate cases.
b. the U.S. Supreme Court can choose what cases it wants to hear, among those appealed from lower courts.
Under the Constitution, the president can appoint ambassadors, federal judges, and top executive officers, but only with _____________. a. congressional confirmation b. the advice and consent of the Senate c. the advice and consent of House and Senate leaders d. quick action to overcome "holds" in Congress
b. the advice and consent of the Senate
The Senate is unique among the world's legislative bodies for its commitment to: a. partisan warfare. b. unlimited debate. c. rules on politeness and means of addressing colleagues. d. stifling floor debate.
b. unlimited debate.
The number of justices who sit on the United States Supreme Court is determined by: a. the Constitution. b. the Supreme Court, in consultation with the solicitor general. c. Congress. d. the president, by executive order.
c. Congress.
Cases involving disputes among individuals (or between individuals and the government) in which the losers may be required to pay monetary damages for their actions but are not fined or sent to prison are classified as __________ law. a. public b. misdemeanor c. civil d. criminal
c. civil
The district making up the area from which an official is elected is known as his or her: a. home turf. b. caucus. c. constituency. d. power bloc.
c. constituency.
The two most common types of civil cases involve: a.divorce and real estate b. tax evasion and illegal drugs. c. contracts and torts. d. traffic offenses and mail fraud.
c. contracts and torts.
Prior judicial decisions that are applied to a given case, whether in a federal or state court, are known as: a. public law. b. briefs. c. precedent. d. standards.
c. precedent.
Committees and subcommittees of both houses of Congress frequently hold hearings on bills and other subjects. These hearings a. represent an opportunity to work through each section of the bill and rewrite to attract majority support. b. are governed by strict rules limiting which amendments members are allowed to offer. c. provide an opportunity to make a record for a particular proposal, evaluate how well a program is working, or simply to generate publicity. d. for members to cast votes for or against a particular piece of legislation in order to claim credit.
c. provide an opportunity to make a record for a particular proposal, evaluate how well a program is working, or simply to generate publicity.
In the American judicial system, parties to a case must demonstrate that they have __________, a substantial stake in the outcome of the case. a. stability b. jurisdiction c. standing d. status
c. standing
Most criminal cases arise out of: a. federal appellate courts. b. grand juries. c. state and municipal courts. d. federal district courts.
c. state and municipal courts.
In civil as well as criminal cases, the ruling of a state court of last resort can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court when: a. the winning litigant and losing litigant agree that they would like the input of the Supreme Court instead of the state courts. b. there is a federal issue involved, but only one for which lower courts have issued conflicting rulings. c. the losing party raises a federal issue; that is, one involving a federal statute or a constitutional question. d. at least five justices agree that it can be appealed.
c. the losing party raises a federal issue; that is, one involving a federal statute or a constitutional question.
Which of the following statements about the President's veto is accurate? a. The veto enables the President to exert his authority absolutely. b. Presidents have rarely used the veto and prefer to negotiate with Congress. c. Overriding presidential vetoes is relatively easy so presidents use the veto scarcely. d. It allows presidents a clear, self-enforcing means of asserting their preferences.
d. It allows presidents a clear, self-enforcing means of asserting their preferences.
If someone convicted on federal drug charges in a U.S. district court wanted to file an appeal, what court would hear the appeal? a. The U.S. Supreme Court b. A state court of last resort, usually called a supreme court c. What is usually called a circuit, chancery, or appellate court, depending on the state d. The federal circuit court of appeals for the district
d. The federal circuit court of appeals for the district
Which of the following statements about the Court's selection of cases is accurate? a. A majority of the justices must agree to hear a case. b. The recommendation of the Solicitor General obligates the Court to hear a case. c. Congress passed legislation requiring the Court to take cases when states reach different decisions on a policy matter. d. The justices look for cases they can use to resolve ambiguities and conflicting circuit court decisions.
d. The justices look for cases they can use to resolve ambiguities and conflicting circuit court decisions.
In 1937, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked Congress to add several new justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. Legislators ultimately rejected the request, after a divided reaction from the public, major lobbying campaigns against the plan, and bipartisan objections. Why might Roosevelt's plan have been controversial? a. What Congress rejected was a constitutional amendment, something that would have been required to change the number of justices. b. The plan, although rejected, led one justice to change his views on Roosevelt's proposals to regulate commerce and industry. c. Congress, in setting the number of justices at nine in 1869, had hoped that the number would be final. d. The president developed the proposal in reaction to the Court's striking down of many of his New Deal proposals, something critics saw as threatening judicial independence.
d. The president developed the proposal in reaction to the Court's striking down of many of his New Deal proposals, something critics saw as threatening judicial independence.
Interest groups, sometimes at the request of attorneys involved in cases, often attempt influence Supreme Court decisions through ______________. a. recommendations for judicial posts b. direct lobbying c. stare decisis, or "friend of the court" briefs d. amicus curiae, or "friend of the court" briefs
d. amicus curiae, or "friend of the court" briefs
In Marbury v. Madison, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall ruled that he could not force Secretary of State James Madison to carry out a previous president's appointment to a lower judge. In so doing, he established the legal power of the Supreme Court's power of judicial review. This was the case because: a. Marshall held that the court should have been able to review the appointment before it was made. b. the court was reviewing a decision of one of the other branches for the first time. c. he established the ability of the courts to create and shape common law, a body of rules and principles of interpretation not grounded in specific statutes. d. he declared an act of Congress unconstitutional; in this case, one that had given the court jurisdiction in the case.
d. he declared an act of Congress unconstitutional; in this case, one that had given the court jurisdiction in the case.
The modern presidency a. looks very much like the presidency of the 19th century. b. has evolved as constitutional amendments adding presidential power were ratified. c. is powerful because of the ability to require congressional consideration of the President's agenda. d. represents a cumulative product of the changing place of Washington in national and international affairs.
d. represents a cumulative product of the changing place of Washington in national and international affairs.
A permanent legislative committee that considers legislation within its designated subject area is known as a ____________. a. conference committee b. oversight committee c. joint blue ribbon panel d. standing committee
d. standing committee
The court that initially hears a criminal or civil case is the __________ court. a. district b. chancery c. circuit d. trial
d. trial
Police-patrol oversight is more efficient than the fire-alarm variety given costs and the electoral incentives of members of Congress. True False
False
In most cases, Congress delegates power to bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch rather than directly to the president. True False
True
Congress often deliberately leaves the question of how to enforce a law up to administrative agencies, ones given rule making and administrative adjudication. True False
True
What term refers to the offices, tasks, and principles that large organizations, including governments, employ to coordinate their work? a. Bureaucracy b. Civil service c. Administration d. Chain of command
a. Bureaucracy
What is the term for a tool presidents can and often do wield that can have the broader effect of legislation, although it is first and foremost a management tool, the power virtually any CEO has to make "company policy"? a. Executive order b. Presidential command c. Executive law d. Presidential mandate
a. Executive order
Which term defines congressional efforts to exercise control over the activities of bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch through hearings, investigations, and other techniques? a. Oversight b. Micromanagement c. Rule making d. Regulation
a. Oversight
Why can presidents not rely on their own parties as a reliable tool in policy making, even if they are still valuable? a. Presidents do not control members of their own party in Congress. To the contrary, members of Congress have considerable autonomy. b. Congressional leaders often try to sabotage their own party's presidents so they can defeat them in the next presidential primary contest. c. The parties are unpopular with the public at large, with increasing numbers of voters describing themselves as independents. d. Members of Congress generally believe that their electoral prospects are unrelated to presidential success or popularity.
a. Presidents do not control members of their own party in Congress. To the contrary, members of Congress have considerable autonomy.
Why would opponents of a bill prefer an open rule to a closed rule? a. The open rule makes it easier to add amendments that may weaken the bill's chances of passing. b. The open rule allows the other chamber to make a decision on the bill first. c. The open rule prevents a bill's supporter from making further demands on minority party legislators. d. Members of the House can exercise their filibuster power and block the legislation.
a. The open rule makes it easier to add amendments that may weaken the bill's chances of passing.
The application of rules and precedents to specific cases to settle disputes with regulated parties is known as: a. administrative adjudication. b. rule making. c. administrative law review. d. oversight.
a. administrative adjudication.
The primary task of the State Department is: a. diplomacy. b. state and local relations. c. internal security. d. issuing passports and visas.
a. diplomacy.
Policies having to do with taxing and spending are generally referred to as: a. fiscal. b. monetary. c. revenue-geared. d. welfare.
a. fiscal.
Senators, in contrast to House members, are better equipped to consider new ideas and bring together new political coalitions, because they serve: a. for six-year terms, which gives them a longer-term view. b. larger and more diverse constituencies in four-year terms. c. as agents for more diverse collections of groups and interests via statewide elections. d. for eight-year terms, which insulates them from immediate consequences.
a. for six-year terms, which gives them a longer-term view.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are both: a. independent agencies, ones that do not fall under the control of any cabinet department. b. bureaus or subdivisions of the Department of Defense. c. agencies of external national security that fall under the Department of Defense. d. government corporations, ones that serve some special public purposes or provide services.
a. independent agencies, ones that do not fall under the control of any cabinet department.
A form of implementation in which bureaucrats try to discern and carry out the intention of their political superiors is known as: a. interpretation. b. adjudication. c. regulation. d. oversight.
a. interpretation.
Compared to the House of Representatives, the Senate serves constituencies that are: a. larger and more diverse. b. smaller and more homogeneous. c. larger and more homogeneous. d. smaller and more diverse.
a. larger and more diverse.
The franking privilege, which allows members of Congress to send mailings free of charge, reinforces an incumbency advantage because: a. members can remind constituents of their activities and service through these mailings, and make themselves more visible. b. it is a more effective means of communication in service to all constituents than electronic mail, since some segments of the population do not have Internet access. c. members may more efficiently serve constituents and solve problems for them, given the importance of sending documents in such service. d. it prevents candidates who are unable to raise large sums of money from running against them.
a. members can remind constituents of their activities and service through these mailings, and make themselves more visible.
When the Obama administration refused to comply with a congressional subpoena for documents related to Operation Fast and Furious, a Justice Department program created to combat drug trafficking, it did so by citing executive privilege. In so doing, he was following the example of many past presidents, especially those serving after Richard Nixon, because: a. the Supreme Court recognized, in a case involving Nixon's Watergate tapes, the validity of executive privilege. b. the Supreme Court decided, during the Nixon era, that presidents had the absolute power to keep any other branches from demanding its communications records. c. presidents have hinted that their successors could pardon them for any crimes they may have committed while in office. d. presidents have noted that the State of the Union gives them the power to more properly address congressional concerns, at least once a year.
a. the Supreme Court recognized, in a case involving Nixon's Watergate tapes, the validity of executive privilege.
Rules made by regulatory agencies and commissions are referred to as administrative legislation because: a. they have the force of law. b. doing so makes it less likely than presidents will try to get rid of existing rules through executive orders. c. they do not have the same effect as congressional legislation but are still important to federal administration. d. they apply, as law, to people working within federal cabinet departments or agencies.
a. they have the force of law.
Presidents appoint all federal judges—from the federal district level to the appeals courts to the Supreme Court: a. with the advice and consent of the Senate. b. with a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress. c. with the advice and consent of Congress. d. unilaterally, with input and advice from judicial leaders and members of Congress.
a. with the advice and consent of the Senate.
In 2002, Congress created this internal security agency in order to coordinate the nation's defense against the threat of terrorism. a. The Department of Internal Security b. The Department of Homeland Security c. National Security Agency d. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)'s Counter-Terrorism Division
b. The Department of Homeland Security
In the House of Representatives, who determines the conditions under which (e.g. amount of debate, order of votes, types of amendments) bills come up for a vote? a. The Ways and Means Committee b. The Rules Committee c. The Speaker d. Leadership PAC representatives
b. The Rules Committee
What leaders hold most of the real power within the U.S. Senate and control the Senate's calendar or agenda for legislation? a. The vice president, with the majority and minority leaders b. The majority and minority leaders c. The majority leader and the vice president d. The president pro tempore and the majority leader
b. The majority and minority leaders
A bill's supporters generally prefer that the Rules Committee decide to use a(n) ___________ rule. a. termination b. closed c. hold d. open
b. closed
A rule allowing a three-fifths majority of U.S. senators to set a time limit on debate over a given bill, or cut off a filibuster, is called: a. a closed rule. b. cloture. c. whipping. d. preemption.
b. cloture.
Representatives who believe that they have been elected to do the bidding of those who sent them to Congress are said to be serving as: a. trustees. b. delegates. c. agents. d. politicos.
b. delegates.
The policy of reducing the number of rules issued by federal regulatory agencies is known as: a. administrative review. b. deregulation. c. devolution. d. privatizing.
b. deregulation.
A form of implementation in which bureaucrats try to discern and carry out the intention of their political superiors is known as: a. adjudication. b. interpretation. c. regulation. d. oversight.
b. interpretation.
The U.S. military has experienced problems with pork barrel politics because: a. civilians who control the military have forced it on defense agencies. b. military spending—on contracts and military bases—can become a matter not just of military need but a concern of narrow political and economic interests. c. recent wars, including those in Afghanistan and Iraq, required higher military spending. d. the creation of the Department of Defense by merging different agencies created a larger and more complex bureaucracy.
b. military spending—on contracts and military bases—can become a matter not just of military need but a concern of narrow political and economic interests.
The provision by the House Rules Committee that permits floor debate and the addition of amendments to a bill is a(n): a. developing rule. b. open rule. c. closed rule. d. modifying rule.
b. open rule.
Amendments to the 1965 Voting Rights Act have increased the number of congressional districts in which: a. women with racial minority status have come to hold voting majorities, leading to more racial and gender diversity in Congress. b. racial minorities hold decisive voting majorities, leading to more racial diversity in Congress. c. women hold more decisive voting majorities, leading to less male dominance of Congress. d. more minority residents are crammed into single districts, leading them to have less of a voice in national policy making.
b. racial minorities hold decisive voting majorities, leading to more racial diversity in Congress.
The framers of the U.S. Constitution decided that all "money" bills—that is, those involving taxation and revenue—should start in the House because: a. the House would be more efficient, with centralized leadership and shorter debate times. b. representatives were to be "close to the people," elected by popular vote every two years. c. the Senate would be too preoccupied with its "advise and consent," or confirmation role, with presidential appointees. d. House members would likely be more specialized, and gain expertise in budgeting.
b. representatives were to be "close to the people," elected by popular vote every two years.
Congress gives the power to what type of agency to makes rules governing the conduct of people and businesses in certain economic sectors or types of commercial activity? a. A public interest agency b. A clientele agency c. An independent regulatory commission d. An independent agency
c. An independent regulatory commission
How can a presidential veto be overridden? a. By a simple majority vote in both the House and Senate b. By a two-thirds majority vote in either the House or the Senate c. By a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate d. By majority votes in three-fourths of state legislatures
c. By a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate
How can a presidential veto be overridden? a. By majority votes in three-fourths of state legislatures b. By a two-thirds majority vote in either the House or the Senate c. By a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate d. By a simple majority vote in both the House and Senate
c. By a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate
Which term defines downsizing the federal bureaucracy by delegating the implementation of programs to state and local governments? a. Capitalization b. Outsourcing c. Devolution d. Agentic shift
c. Devolution
How often do seats in the House of Representatives come up for reelection? a. Every four years b. Every year c. Every two years d. Every six years
c. Every two years
Which group helps set monetary policy for the United States by making changes to the interest rate and the money supply? a. Securities and Exchange Commission b. Consumer Financial Protection Board c. Federal Reserve Board d. Federal Deposit Insurance Commission
c. Federal Reserve Board
How has the rapid technological change, and the ease with which media can be created and spread, changed the practice of presidential public appeals? a. Evidence clearly shows that it has increased the likelihood that presidents will, in coming years, only appeal to their bases of support through social media. b. It has increased the likelihood that citizens will be exposed to presidential messages. c. It has led to an increasing fragmentation of a mass media audience into small subgroups, making it more difficult for a president to reach all citizens. d. It has made presidents more likely to appear on the most widely popular Internet media news and entertainment sites than on broadcast television.
c. It has led to an increasing fragmentation of a mass media audience into small subgroups, making it more difficult for a president to reach all citizens.
State legislatures must redraw congressional districts to reflect population changes ______________ , after censuses. a. continuously b. every 6 years c. every 10 years d. every 20 years
c. every 10 years
In 2018, a congressional committee briefly captured media and public attention when it questioned Facebook executive and cofounder Mark Zuckerberg about the privacy of its user data, in the wake of reports that a British research company had abused data in private research related to the 2016 presidential election. In so doing, the committee discussed past and ongoing data privacy-related actions undertaken against Facebook by the Federal Trade Commission. As it involved not only a celebrity witness, but a federal agency's duties and actions under the law, the hearing was a classic case of a House committee engaged in: a. intrusion into executive branch affairs. b. enforcement and policy-making authority. c. oversight d. ad hoc authority.
c. oversight
In the United States, the head of a cabinet department is usually called a: a. minister. b. general. c. secretary. d. chief administrator.
c. secretary.
In 1957, Senator Strom Thurmond held the Senate floor and talked or answered questions—or filibustered, to use a Senate term for unlimited debate—for over 24 hours. The South Carolina lawmaker did so prior to a vote on the Civil Rights Act, legislation that most observers expected to easily pass—and which did, shortly after he concluded. During his time on the floor, he did not just talk about the law. Instead, he read the Declaration of Independence, jury rules, and even his grandmother's biscuit recipe. In so doing, however, Thurmond was using his time in a manner consistent with filibuster history, as a means of: a. forcing reform in chamber rules. b. gaining notoriety and media attention for himself, mostly. c. stalling or delaying Senate action or voting. d. annoying the opposition in hopes of forcing a parliamentary error.
c. stalling or delaying Senate action or voting.
Until the Seventeenth Amendment passed, senators were selected by _______________. a. state governors b. only white, male property holders c. state legislatures d. elites within individual states
c. state legislatures
Although the veto is one of the president's most formidable powers, recent presidents have rarely used it. This is likely because: a. the minimal use reflects the presidential turn toward the use of management tools, rather than legislative tools, in getting things done. b. members of Congress have, in more politically polarized times, engaged in obstructionist behavior, leading executives to propose fewer policies. c. the mere threat of a veto is often enough to make legislators alter a bill's content. d. one party almost always controls both chambers of Congress and the presidency, so vetoes are rarely necessary.
c. the mere threat of a veto is often enough to make legislators alter a bill's content.
Like most members of Congress who hope to keep their seats, Senator Treumann wants to do what his best for his constituency. Sometimes, however, he thinks that what is best is not necessarily what surveys show that most voters in his state want. He sees his vote against allowing more spending on surveillance for antiterrorism efforts in this light, thinking it best for the country and his state, no matter how popular. In this case, he would be serving as the classic ___________type of legislator. a. delegate b. trustee-delegate hybrid c. trustee d. rogue agent
c. trustee
What is the general term for providing minor services to constituents, introducing bills for specific citizens, and attempting to influence decisions by agencies and regulatory commissions on their behalf? a. Pork barreling b. Glad-handing c. Gerrymandering d. Constituency service (casework)
d. Constituency service (casework)
When the president takes no action on a bill for over 10 days, and Congress is in session, what happens to the bill? a. It survives, but Congress must reconsider it in the context of presidential statements on the legislation. b. The bill passes after the executive and Congress iron out differences over the legislation. c. It dies, since the president has vetoed it in effect. d. It becomes law, only without express presidential approval via a signature.
d. It becomes law, only without express presidential approval via a signature.
Which term describes the direct services and benefits that congressional representatives provide for their districts, such as appointing supporters to government offices or conferring grants and licenses to constituents? a. Sponsorships b. Franking privileges c. Incumbency d. Patronage
d. Patronage
Could an American president decide, unilaterally, to recognize a breakaway or secessionist country's legitimacy by receiving its emissaries, even if the country it broke off from objected? a. Yes, since presidents would be able to do so through executive orders to the State Department b. No, since Congress must formally recognize foreign states before presidents may meet with their foreign representatives c. It depends on whether the Supreme Court insists on having a say in the situation. d. Yes, since as head of state, presidents may receive foreign ambassadors and ministers
d. Yes, since as head of state, presidents may receive foreign ambassadors and ministers
By implementing the laws and policies passed by elected officials, federal bureaucrats can be seen as: a. principals of Congress and the presidency. b. agents only of presidents, who execute laws passed by Congress. c. both principals and agents of the American people. d. agents of Congress and the presidency.
d. agents of Congress and the presidency.
A governmental agency set up by Congress to exist outside of a cabinet department is called: a. an independent regulatory commission b. a clientele agency. c. a quasi-governmental organization. d. an independent agency.
d. an independent agency.
The traditional but informal designation for the heads of all the major departments of the federal government in the United States is the: a. advisory staff. b. executive service. c. White House executive council. d. cabinet.
d. cabinet.
An agency that does not actively monitor the businesses it regulates but instead waits for private citizens or interest groups to raise questions about the actions of the businesses can be said to use: a. routine oversight b. random oversight. c. police patrol oversight. d. fire-alarm oversight.
d. fire-alarm oversight.
The tweets, freewheeling political rally speeches, and calls to live cable television news that marked the first year of the Trump administration were, despite their unusual nature, still in keeping with a presidential means of exercising influence known as: a. going over Congress's head. b. propagandizing. c. entering the arena. d. going public.
d. going public.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Extension Services, with its local "extension agents" who consult with farmers to promote farm productivity, provides a familiar example of: a. how clientele agencies come to lobby for policy change at the local or grassroots level. b. the way that Congress provides jobs through "pork barrel" spending for particular district or state constituencies. c. the devolution of government service, from the national to the local level, in order to shrink government. d. how many of the personnel in clientele agencies' field offices or operations deal directly with clientele.
d. how many of the personnel in clientele agencies' field offices or operations deal directly with clientele.
When a congressional representative says to a legislative colleague, "I'll support your bill if you'll support mine," that statement is an example of: a. whipping. b. interest-group bargaining. c. the distributive tendency. d. logrolling.
d. logrolling.
In the House of Representatives, what leaders are responsible for lining up party members on important votes and relaying voter information to the leaders? a. The majority and minority leaders b. The Speaker of the House and the majority leader c. The Speaker of the House and the minority leader d. majority and minority whips
d. majority and minority whips
The party conference or caucus is a: a. group of congressional aides who administer the day-to-day affairs of the national parties. b. series of district meetings in which participants collectively select party nominees for congressional races. c. party organ designed to promote the election of fellow party candidates. d. meeting of a political or legislative group to select leaders or discuss party strategy.
d. meeting of a political or legislative group to select leaders or discuss party strategy.
When the Supreme Court declared that President Nixon had to follow congressional demands to turn over secretly recorded White House tapes about the Watergate scandal, it might have seemed like a major loss for the White House. The president resigned shortly after the ruling was handed down, after all. While it was a loss for the Nixon White House, the Court's ruling was favorable over the long term for the presidency as an institution because the Court: a. asserted that it could allow a limited invocation of executive privilege, even in situations involving alleged illegal presidential behavior, to block congressional access to presidential documents. b. recognized that presidents could constitutionally refuse to accede to congressional demands to turn over documents and conversations related to national security, if not domestic affairs. c. established that presidents could secretly record conversations in all executive offices, without the knowledge of others involved, including foreign dignitaries. d. recognized as valid the idea that presidents could invoke "executive privilege" in refusing to turn over to Congress conversations with advisers.
d. recognized as valid the idea that presidents could invoke "executive privilege" in refusing to turn over to Congress conversations with advisers.
