Chapter 12-13 Test

Bill

A proposed law, drafted in legal language. Anyone can draft a bill, but only a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can formally submit a bill for consideration.

Seniority System

A simple rule for picking committee chairs, in effect until the 1970s. The member who had served on the committee the longest and whose party controlled the chamber became chair, regardless of party loyalty, mental state, or competence.

House seats are up for election every a) eight years b) two years c) four years d) six years e) five years

b) two years

The United States Senate has ______ members a) 435 b) 438 c) 100 d) 50 e) 53

c) 100

To end filibuster requites _______ members present and voting to cut off debate a) 75 b) 99 c) 60 d) 50 e) 218

c) 60

Caucus (Congressional)

A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic. Many are composed of members from both parties and from both houses.

Cabinet

A group of presidential advisers not mentioned in the Constitution, although every president has had one. Today the cabinet is composed of 14 secretaries, the attorney general, and others designated by the president.

War Powers Resolution

A law passed in 1973, in reaction to American fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia, that requires presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension. However, presidents have viewed the resolution as unconstitutional.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature divided into two houses. The U.S. Congress and all state legislatures except Nebraska's are bicameral.

Filibuster

A strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation use their right to unlimited debate to prevent the Senate from ever voting on a bill. Sixty members present and voting can halt a filibuster.

Crisis

A sudden, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous event requiring the president to play the role of crisis manager.

Council of Economic Advisers

A three-member body appointed by the president to advise the president on economic policy.

Pocket Veto

A type of veto occurring when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president and the president simply lets the bill die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Legislative Veto

A vote in Congress to override a presidential decision. Although the War Powers Resolution asserts this authority, there is reason to believe, that if challenged, the Supreme Court would find the legislative veto in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.

Casework

Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals, particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get.

Speaker of the House

An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

Office of Management and Budget

An office that prepares the president's budget and also advises presidents on proposals from departments and agencies and helps review their proposed regulations.

The House __________ Committee reviews most bills coming from other committees before they go on to the full House, thus performing a traffic cop function. a) Authorization b) Rules c) Ways and Means D) Appropriations E) Review

B) Rules

Legislative Oversight

Congress's monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings.

Select Committees

Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as the Watergate investigation.

Conference Committees

Congressional committees formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each house to iron out the differences and bring back a single bill.

Joint Committees

Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses.

Pork Barrel

Federal projects, grants, and contracts available to state and local governments, businesses, colleges, and other institutions in a congressional district.

Whips

Party leaders who work with the majority leader or minority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Ratified in 1951, this amendment limits presidents to two terms of office.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Ratified in 1967, this amendment permits the vice president to become acting president if the vice president and the president's cabinet determine that the president is disabled, and it outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job.

Standing Committees

Separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas.

House Rules Committee

The committee in the House of Representatives that reviews most bills coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

National Security Council

The committee that links the president's foreign and military policy advisers. Its formal members are the president, vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense, and it is managed by the president's national security assistant.

Veto

The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it. A two-thirds vote in each house can override a veto.

Watergate

The events and scandal surrounding a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up of White House involvement, leading to the eventual resignation of President Nixon under the threat of impeachment.

Committee Chairs

The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.

Impeachment

The political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the Constitution. The House of Representatives may impeach the president by a majority vote for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Minority Leader

The principal leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate.

Majority Leader

The principle partisan ally of the Speaker of the House, or the party's manager in the Senate. The majority leader is responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and rounding up votes on behalf of the party's legislative positions.

Presidential Coattails

These occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president's party because they support the president. Recent studies how that few races are won this way.

Incumbents

Those already holding office. In congressional elections, incumbents usually win.

When a president vetoes congressional legislation, a) Congress can override the veto by a two-thirds vote in both houses b) Congress must form a joint committee to address the president's complaints c) one house of Congress determines whether the law will take effect d) the Supreme Court determines whether the law will take effect e) there is nothing Congress can do about it

a) Congress can override the veto by a two-thirds vote in both houses

The Constitution framers a) generally wanted a president with limited authority and responsibilities b) were united in wanting a strong chief executive c) were unanimous is wanting a single president to lead the country d) were united in wanting a chief executive similar to the prime minister of Great Britain e) hoped to create a monarchy in the United States

a) generally wanted a president with limited authority and responsibilities

The filibuster a) is unique to the Senate b) is allowed in both the House and the Senate c) has been ruled unconstitutional d) is unique to the House e) has been prohibited in both the House and the Senate

a) is unique to the Senate

In most congressional elections, challengers a) win b) lose c) outspend an incumbent d) spend roughly as much money as incumbents e) are better known than incumbents

b) lose

Nominees to the United States Supreme Court must be confirmed by a) the House b) the Senate c) both the House and the Senate d) either the House or the Senate e) the president

b) the Senate

The War Powers Resolution a) mandated the withdrawal of forces after sixty days unless Congress declared war or granted an extension b) established the code protocols that launch nuclear missiles in order to prevent accidental or unauthorized missile launches. c) established the chain of command of the armed forces in the event the president is incapacitated d) prohibited the president power from committees American troops without congressional approval e) gave the president the formal power to declare war in the case of a nuclear attack

a) mandated the withdrawal of forces after sixty days unless Congress declared war or granted an extension

The head of each cabinet-level executive department is appointed by the president and a) must be confirmed by a majority of the Senate b) must be confirmed by a majority of the House c) must be confirmed by a majority of both the House and the Senate d) must be confirmed by two-thirds of the Senate e) is not subject to House or Senate approval

a) must be confirmed by a majority of the Senate

A Senate seat is up for election every a) six years b) two years c) four years d) five years e) eight years

a) six years

Legislative __________ is the process of monitoring the bureaucracy and its administration of policy a) oversight b) select c) rule d) joint e) conference

a) standing

Under the terms of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, while the vice president is serving as acting president, a) the recuperated president can reclaim the Oval Office through a set procedure b) a new election must be held within six months c) the Senate and the House must vote in a secret ballot on whether or not to reinstate the recuperated president d) the electoral college determines when the incapacitated president can reclaim presidency e) the recuperated president can not reclaim his former job

a) the recuperated president can reclaim the Oval Office through a set procedure

Which of the following congressional offices is mandated by the Constitution? a) President of the United States b) Speaker of House c) House and Senate Majority Leader d) President of the House d) all of the above

b) Speaker of House

Which of the following is NOT one of the president's powers as the nation's chief diplomat? a) negotiating executive agreements which do not require congressional approval b) declaring war against an adversary c) extending diplomatic recognition to a nation d) mediating disputes between nations other than the United States e) negotiating treaties with other nations

b) declaring war against an adversary

Most business of Congress takes place a) on the floor of the House and Senate b) in committees and subcommittees c) in congressional districts d) during evening social functions e) in the Rules committees

b) in committees and subcommittees

A pocket veto is the situation in which the president a) sends a law back to Congress with the reasons for rejecting it b) lets a bill die by neither signing nor vetoing it after Congress has adjourned c) lets a bill become a law by neither vetoing nor signing it d) vetoes particular items in a spending bill e) rejects a Congressional override

b) lets a bill die by neither signing nor vetoing it after Congress has adjourned

The National Security Council a) is composed of the heads of the three branches of the armed services and makes recommendations to the president on combat strategy b) links the president's key foreign and military policy advisers c) was created by legislation to keep the president informed on foreign affairs d) helps the president make policy on such matters as inflation and unemployment e) was established by President Roosevelt to manage foreign and domestic intelligence operations

b) links the president's key foreign and military policy advisers

The budgetary implications of the president's budget are provided to the president by a) Executive Budget Office b) Council of Economic Advisers c) Office of Management and Budget d) Internal Revenue Service e) Department of the Treasury

c) Office of Management and Budget

To be sent to the president, a bill must be passed by a) the Senate b) a majority vote of Congress, regardless of which house the votes come from. c) both the House and the Senate d) the House e) either the House or the Senate

c) both the House and the Senate

Which of the following is NOT a constitutional power of the president? a) serve as Commander in Chief of the armed forces b) sign or veto legislation passed by Congress c) enact legislation by issuing decrees d) appoint federal judges with the advice and consent of a majority of the Senate e) All of these are the president's constitutional powers

c) enact legislation by issuing decrees

An example of casework by a member of Congress is a) working with a caucus on a public policy that affects his or her constituents b) writing a newsletter to send out to constituents c) helping a constituent gain citizenship d) voting for a bill desired by constituents e) all of the above

c) helping a constituent gain citizenship

The filibuster a) is unique to the House b) is allowed in both the House and the Senate c) is unique to the Senate d) has been prohibited in both the House and the Senate e) has been ruled unconstitutional

c) is unique to the Senate

When members of Congress hold a hearing to question a cabinet member on how a law is being carried, they are engaging in a) congressional administration b) agenda-setting c) legislative oversight d) filibustering e) casework

c) legislative oversight

The most powerful person in the Senate is the a) president of the United States b) vice president of the United States, who serves as president of the Senate c) majority leader d) Speaker e) chair of the Rules Committee

c) majority leader

The _________ is the list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, businesses, and institutions which members of Congress seek to locate in their district to promote the interests of their constituency. a) Treasurer's register b) junket c) pork barrel d) frank e) casework

c) pork barrel

A constitutional duty of the vice president is to a) raise funds for party candidates b) attend the funerals of foreign leaders on behalf of the president c) preside over the Senate and cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie d) preside over the House and cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie e) all of the above

c) preside over the Senate and cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie

The cabinet department responsible for making foreign policy and handling treaty negotiations is a) foreign affairs b) justice c) state d) interior e) defense

c) state

The agency that reviews legislation proposals for the president is the a) Executive Legislative Agency b) Legislative Executive Agency c) National Security Agency d) Office of Management and Budget e) Council of Economic Advisers

d) Office of Management and Budget

When in the House and the Senate pass different versions of the same bill a) a joint committees is appointed to resolve differences b) the House bill is changed to conform with the Senate bill c) the Senate bill is changed to conform with the House bill d) a conference committee is appointed to resolve differences e) the president may select which bill to enact into law

d) a conference committee is appointed to resolve differences

House and Senate committees a) are populated by the hired staff members of Congress, freeing the elected members for more important work b) must have their membership approved by the president c) are non-partisan, and thus some committees are nearly all Democrats and others nearly all Republicans d) all have a majority of members from the majority party in that chamber e) all have an equal number of Republicans and Democrats

d) all have a majority of members from the majority party in that chamber

A presidential veto of legislation passed by Congress a) can be overturned by two-thirds vote of either the House or the Senate to override the veto b) can be overturned only by majority vote of the Supreme Court c) can be overturned by a majority vote of both the House and the Senate to override the veto d) can be overturned by a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate to override the veto e) cannot be overturned

d) can be overturned by a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate to override the veto

The presidential cabinet a) is give tremendous power under the Constitution b) can veto actions by the president c) is the electronically locked vault where the president keeps his top secret papers d) consists of the head of each executive department, plus any additional government officials the president designates e) includes, by law, a minimum of two sitting members of Congress at all times

d) consists of the head of each executive department, plus any additional government officials the president designates

Traditionally, Congressional committee chairpersons have been chosen through a) popularity with majority leaders b) the merit system c) party rank d) the seniority system e) a majority vote by committee members

d) the seniority system

The pocket veto can only be used a) when a new president is about to take office b) when Congress is in session c) on appropriation bills d) when Congress is adjourned e) during a presidential election year

d) when Congress is adjourned

According to the Constitution, revenue bills must originate in the a) Federal Reserve System b) Treasury Department c) Internal Revenue Service d) Senate e) House

e) House

When the House and the Senate pass different versions of the same bill a) the Senate bill is changed to conform with the House bill b) a joint committee is appointed to resolve differences c) the president may select which bill to enact into law d) the House bill is changed to conform with the Senate bill e) a conference committee is appointed to resolve differences

e) a conference committee is appointed to resolve differences

Members of Congress who informally band together in groups to promote and protect mutual interests (e.g., mushroom growers) form what are called a) junkets b) interest groups c) subcommittees d) committees e) caucuses

e) caucuses

To cut off debate and end a filibuster is known as a) overriding b) franking c) hushing d) coattails e) cloture

e) cloture

The minority whip a) is used to punish members who do not vote with the rest of their party b) becomes the Speaker automatically if the Speaker resigns c) assists the majority leader in party-line votes d) represents African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian American in each chamber of Congress e) keeps a close head count on key votes, and attempts to keep party members in line

e) keeps a close head count on key votes, and attempts to keep party members in line

The president's power can best be understood as a) unlimited and absolute b) always the dominant figure in the American political system c) very limited and largely ceremonial d) originally intended to be unlimited and absolute, but gradually weakened over time e) shared with the other branches of government as part of the Madisonian system of checks and balances

e) shared with the other branches of government as part of the Madisonian system of checks and balances

Bicameralism means that a legislative body is one a) in which incumbents have a better chance of being reelected, providing continuity in policymaking. b) that must share power with a president, providing more efficient policymaking. c) in which there are only two political parties d) in which each state has two senators, providing equal representation of the states e) with two houses, providing checks and balances on policymaking

e) with two houses, providing checks and balances on policymaking