Gov 2
Which of the following pairs accurately identifies the methods used by Congress and the president to hold the bureaucracy accountable to the other branches? A Congress: Holding a committee hearing; President: Appointing a Cabinet B Congress: Using the power of the purse to control spending; President: Negotiating a treaty C Congress: Firing civil servants; President: Exercising power as commander in chief D Congress: Meeting in a congressional caucus; President: Attaching a signing statement to legislation
A Congress: Holding a committee hearing; President: Appointing a Cabinet
In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the United States Supreme Court ruled that a Georgia law violated the U.S. Constitution. In response to Chief Justice John Marshall's majority opinion, President Andrew Jackson said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." Which of the following ideas regarding government does President Jackson's statement exhibit? A Since the Supreme Court has no enforcement mechanism, the executive and legislative branches can restrict its decisions. B When the Supreme Court takes an activist approach to decision making, it can influence policy. C Constitutional amendments have granted the Supreme Court greater power to enforce its decisions. D Unpopular Supreme Court Justices can be removed by a two-thirds vote in Congress and a presidential signature.
A Since the Supreme Court has no enforcement mechanism, the executive and legislative branches can restrict its decisions.
Source: Lanier, 2003 Which of the following factors most likely led to shifts in Supreme Court decision making over time? A The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time. B Rather than pass new legislation, Congress was inclined to refer civil rights legislation to the Supreme Court. C After 1960, the Supreme Court deferred to the wishes of state and local governments rather than voting to expand the authority of the federal government. D Constitutional amendments enabled the Supreme Court to issue more liberal decisions.
A The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time.
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? A House of Representatives: The majority and minority parties control legislative scheduling and rules equally.; Senate: Minority party members can threaten to filibuster a bill the majority party wants to pass. B House of Representatives: The Constitution's framers intended it to reflect the will of the people.; Senate: The Constitution's framers designed it to represent the interests of the states. C House of Representatives: Most legislative work takes place in the standing committees.; Senate: Based on its size, it tends to have stricter rules affecting the legislative process. D House of Representatives: Members serve two-year terms with a term limit of up to twelve years.; Senate: Members serve six-year terms with no term limits.
B House of Representatives: The Constitution's framers intended it to reflect the will of the people.; Senate: The Constitution's framers designed it to represent the interests of the states.
Which of the following explains an action Congress can take that would have the most influence on the data on the graphs? A Members of Congress can increase congressional salaries, but only for the next Congress. B Congress can pass legislation that changes the federal salary structure. C Congress can cut funding for federal programs, which would lead to a decrease in salaries. D Congress can enforce a regulation that addresses wage increases.
B Congress can pass legislation that changes the federal salary structure.
Which of the following is an example of bureaucratic rule making? A The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collecting back taxes with interest from citizens B The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) writing a regulation to support a clean water bill C Congress passing legislation to establish the Department of Homeland Security D The federal government listing a business opportunity on its clearinghouse Web site for government contracts
B The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) writing a regulation to support a clean water bill
Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates a president avoiding a check from the judicial branch? A The president signs a bill that reduces the budget of the Department of Justice in response to the department's failure to prosecute white-collar criminals. B The president claims that certain detainees are enemy combatants and thus do not possess the same constitutional protections that the Supreme Court has upheld for the interrogation of criminal suspects. C The president vetoes legislation that would constrain the ability of the executive branch to conduct domestic surveillance as it relates to terrorism. D The president issues an executive order declaring that all people who were brought to the United States illegally as children can apply for a deferment rather than face deportation.
B The president claims that certain detainees are enemy combatants and thus do not possess the same constitutional protections that the Supreme Court has upheld for the interrogation of criminal suspects.
According to the United States Constitution, all revenue bills must A be passed by a conference committee B originate in the House of Representatives C be passed by two-thirds of the Senate D be reviewed by the Supreme Court
B originate in the House of Representatives
The data illustrate that most conservatives believe that the United States Constitution A is a living document and the Supreme Court should consider public opinion and contemporary values when interpreting constitutional provisions B outlines a framework for government that the Supreme Court should apply strictly regardless of the political or personal preferences of judges C establishes a shared set of political values flexible enough to empower the Supreme Court to apply its own personal judgment to their interpretation D gives judges the power to overrule the other two branches of government in times when those other branches fail to be responsive to changing public opinion on issues
B outlines a framework for government that the Supreme Court should apply strictly regardless of the political or personal preferences of judges
Which of the following scenarios is an example of the trustee model of representation? A The NAACP leadership sends representatives to Washington to lobby for changes to the Voting Rights Act. B Congress passes a bill allocating money to clean up nuclear waste sites after a wave of large-scale peaceful protests. C A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt. D A presidential candidate advocates using an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors.
C A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt.
Based on the data, which of the following is the most likely consequence for the legislative process in Congress? A More competitive races for House seats in the general election B A decrease in party-line voting on important legislation introduced in the House C An increase in gridlock and failure to compromise on legislation D Greater cooperation between Congress and the president on nominations
C An increase in gridlock and failure to compromise on legislation
Which of the following is an example of a power exclusively granted to the Senate in Article II of the Constitution? A Declaring war B Overriding a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority veto C Confirming ambassadors D Creating spending bills
C Confirming ambassadors
Which of the following is an example of Congress using its implied powers? A Congress changing the tax code so that individuals making more than $350,000 per year have to pay higher taxes B Congress requesting that the Supreme Court review the constitutionality of a state gun-control law C Congress passing occupational safety regulations for the private sector D Congress ratifying a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada
C Congress passing occupational safety regulations for the private sector
Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president? A Formal Power: Vetoing legislation to prevent a bill from becoming law; Informal Power:Using a pocket veto to prevent a bill from becoming law B Formal Power: Using the bully pulpit to influence public opinion; Informal Power: Appointing ambassadors and receiving diplomats from other nations C Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military; Informal Power: Signing executive agreements with foreign nations D Formal Power: Using the power of the purse to support government programs; Informal Power: Using signing statements to shape legislation
C Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military; Informal Power: Signing executive agreements with foreign nations
Which of the following clauses serves as the constitutional basis for the federal Real ID Act of 2005, a law that established uniform standards for state-issued identification cards and provided regulation of a state function? A The due process clause B The establishment clause C The necessary and proper clause D The commerce clause
C The necessary and proper clause
Which of the following enumerated powers would permit Congress to stimulate the economy by hiring unemployed citizens? A The power to create immigration policies B The power to regulate interstate commerce C The power to pass a federal budget D The power of legislative oversight
C The power to pass a federal budget
Despite concerns raised by her constituents, a member of the House of Representatives votes in favor of a bill, believing that in the long term it is in the best interest of her constituents. This is an example of which of the following models of representation? A Delegate B Politico C Trustee D Virtual
C Trustee
In 1998, Goodyear employee Lilly Ledbetter filed suit against her employer for pay discrimination based on her gender. Though Ledbetter was initially successful, Goodyear appealed the decision and the case went to the Supreme Court. In Ledbetter v.Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. (2007), the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that sex discrimination complaints must be made within 180 days "after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred," which Ledbetter had failed to do. Which of the following actions could be taken to reverse the impact of the decision? A Ledbetter could renew her appeal by seeking additional Supreme Court review. B The president could sign an executive order to alter the Civil Rights Act. C Ledbetter could pursue her case using the same arguments in state courts. D Congress could enact legislation to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
D Congress could enact legislation to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton argued that the federal judiciary "is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power." Which of the following statements represents a reason he gave for this argument? A It has the power of the sword and the power of judgment but lacks the power of the purse. B Each branch must be given the ability to defend its power and check the others. C The federal government is further from the people and thus less accountable. D It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions.
D It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions.
In November 2014, President Obama announced an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program through an executive order. The policy would protect over 700,000 more children of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Republican members of Congress denounced the order as an abuse of executive power. Previously, members of the House of Representatives had voted to defund the program. This scenario best illustrates which of the following? A A reluctant bureaucracy can hinder a president's agenda. B Public opinion can influence how Congress responds to a president. C Iron triangles form between members of the president's party and opponents in Congress. D Presidents exert informal powers when their policy agenda conflicts with that of Congress.
D Presidents exert informal powers when their policy agenda conflicts with that of Congress.
