POS CH11-?
The __________ makes economic projections about the performance of the economy, the costs of proposed policies, and the economic effects of taxing and spending alternatives.
Congressional Budget Office
Why do presidents want high approval ratings?
High ratings make it easier to achieve the president's agenda.
How do the odds of reelection for incumbents differ between the House and Senate?
House incumbents are more likely to win than Senate incumbents.
One reason most senators and representatives of the president's party support the White House is that they __________.
have a basic distrust of the opposition party
In an election between a male and a female candidate, in which voters perceive the candidates as equally competent, the female candidate is expected to __________.
have a slight disadvantage in the vote
The Constitution states that in order to become president, a person must __________.
have resided in the United States for at least 14 years
Which statement is a frequent criticism of Donald Trump?
he lacks respect for the rule of law
In lighting the White House Christmas tree, the president fulfills the role of __________.
head of state
Which task is an example of casework?
helping a constituent resolve a problem involving the Veterans Administration
Which best describes power in the Senate?
hierarchical(wrong) (maybe decentralized)
Congress usually conducts legislative oversight by __________.
holding hearings
How and whether judicial decisions are translated into actual policy is known as judicial __________.
implementation
Most of the work of Congress happens __________.
in committees
Why has the power and responsibility of the presidency increased?
increased prominence of the United States on the world stage
The president rarely mobilizes the public because __________.
it is difficult to obtain both public support and political action
Which of the following must plaintiffs have to challenge a law in court?
standing to sue?
When a court bases a decision on a previous court decision, it is relying on the principle of __________.
stare decisis
In which courts are the majority of cases tried?
state
When an older member of Congress champions the interests of young people, it is an example of __________ representation.
substantive
Which of the following factors has contributed to the expansion of presidential power over time?
technological developments
Which of the following would increase turnover in congressional membership?
term limits
Which of the following must confirm all federal judges?
the Senate
Who presides over the House of Representatives and plays a crucial role in determining committee assignments and leadership roles and assigning bills to committees?
the Speaker of the House
Where is malapportionment particularly acute?
the U.S. Senate
What is common law?
the accumulation of judicial decisions about legal issues
Why did Congress enact the War Powers Resolution?
to give Congress a greater voice in the decision to introduce U.S. troops into hostilities
How have congressional parties changed in recent decades?
(wrong) Both parties have shifted toward the ideological left. (probably) Within each party, moderates have increasingly replaced extremists.
Some believe that legislators should act as __________ who use their best judgment to make policy in the interests of the people.
(wrong) partisans
Which example best demonstrates a legislator acting as an instructed delegate?
A legislator follows the public opinion of his or her constituents.
Which statement best characterizes the history of presidential succession?
A majority of presidents were elected to office, though some assumed office because they were vice president when the incumbent president died or resigned.
Which of the following offers evidence to support the importance of descriptive representation?
African American legislators are more likely to be attentive to the needs of African Americans than are other legislators.
Which statement best describes Americans' expectation about their presidents?
Americans want a powerful president who can do good but dislike the idea of having power concentrated in the presidency.
Which statement about vetoes is accurate?
Bills that are not signed or vetoed become law after 10 days unless Congress has adjourned.
When the office of vice president becomes vacant, what role does Congress play in selecting a new vice president?
Both houses of Congress must confirm the nominee with a majority vote.
What is the basic organizational structure of the federal court system?
District courts are the lowest tier, the Supreme Court is the highest tier, and courts of appeals are in between.
Which of the following is a "rally event"?
George W. Bush's surge in popularity after the 9/11 terrorist attacks
What staff agency reviews the actions of the executive branch to see if it is following the congressional intent of laws?
Government Accountability Office
What is the role of the National Security Council?
to coordinate the president's foreign and military policy advisers
Suppose that the president initiates military action, but most members of Congress oppose the action. What could Congress do to stop it?
It could refuse to authorize funding for the military.
The 1995 law imposing reporting requirements and restrictions on lobbyists had what effect?
It decreased, but did not eliminate, corrupt practices.
What is a common characteristic of media coverage of the president?
It emphasizes the negative.
What impact does divided government have on presidential power?
It keeps presidential power in check.
Why does the perception of an electoral mandate matter in presidential politics?
It offers legitimacy and credibility to the proposals of a recently elected president.
In which of the following ways is Congress unrepresentative?
Its leadership is chosen by its own members.
How are legislative courts different from constitutional courts?
Legislative court judges are more partisan.(Wrong) most likely: Legislative courts cannot exercise judicial review.
How does decision making operate in a wheel-and-spokes system of White House management?
Many aides have equal status in the decision-making process.
In which of the following cases did the Supreme Court first exercise judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
Which of the following is a consequence of polarization in Congress?
Members are more likely to discredit the opposition party.
Why is it necessary for presidents to act as party leaders in order to accomplish their policy goals?
Members of Congress from the president's party cannot always be counted on to support the president's agenda.
In which way do modern presidents differ from the intentions of the Framers?
Modern presidents have considerably less influence over their political parties than the Framers intended. (wrong) TRY: Modern presidents are more subservient to the will of Congress than the Framers intended.
How are vacancies in the vice presidency filled?
New vice presidents are nominated by the president and approved by both houses of Congress.
Which office or official reviews the legislative proposals of executive agencies and assesses their budgetary implications and consistency with the president's agenda?
Office of Management and Budget
Which accurately describes President Trump's Supreme Court nominations through 2018?
One nominee was confirmed, but the other nominee was not confirmed due to late-arising sexual assault allegations.(Wrong)
__________ is the authority of a court to hear a case first, thus determining the facts of the case.
Original jurisdiction
The House of Representatives differs from the Senate in which of the following ways?
Party-line voting is more common in the House.
Which of the following contributes to the incumbency advantage of members of Congress?
Potential challengers often lack adequate financial backing.
How is a president different from a prime minister?
Presidents are elected by voters; prime ministers are selected by the legislature.
Why has the War Powers Resolution been ineffective?
Presidents have dismissed it as unconstitutional and often ignored its requirements.
Which of the following is a common trend in presidential approval?
Presidents start with high approval ratings, but their popularity decreases over time.
How do prime ministers differ from presidents?
Prime ministers never face divided government, while presidents often do.
How might the nature of Congress contribute to an increasing scope of government?
Reelection provides an incentive for Congress to be responsive to public demands, but responsiveness often results in establishing new programs.
Suppose you are an adviser to a newly elected president. What advice would you give to improve the president's chances of success in Congress?
Send legislation to Congress early during the first year in office.
How did Hillary Rodham Clinton's actions as First Lady set her apart from other First Ladies?
She took on more policy responsibility and leadership.
Who is the most important leader in the House of Representatives?
Speaker of the House
A critic of term limits would most likely make which of the following arguments?
Term limits lead to a loss of institutional expertise.
How can a president be removed from office?
The House impeaches the president by a majority vote; the Senate convicts with a two-thirds majority.
How does malapportionment in the Senate compare to that of upper legislative chambers in other democratic countries?
The Senate is the most malapportioned.
How did popular views of the presidency change in the 1970s?
The Vietnam War and Watergate led to heightened distrust of the presidency.
What advantage does the president have over the media?
The White House controls the environment in which the president meets the press.
What happens to most requests for Supreme Court review?
The appeals are denied in conference and review is not granted.
Which argument would be made by an advocate for the Supreme Court playing a more aggressive policymaking role?
The judiciary can look out for the needs of the powerless whose interests are seldom met by the rest of government.
How has the media's approach to journalism changed since the Watergate scandal?
The media are more willing to offer opinion and speculation.
If the filibuster were eliminated, what would be the most likely result?
The minority party would have less influence on legislation.
Why is the president better suited than Congress to handle crises?
The president can act more quickly.
Why does the president infrequently use the strategy of bargaining with members of Congress?
The president can usually count on the support of party members without any negotiations.
Which statement best describes the roles played by Congress and/or the president in making national security policy?
The president leads national security policymaking, but Congress exercises some influence.
Suppose it is a midterm election, and the president's approval rating is low, though the president's party gained seats in the previous election. What outcome would you expect in this election?
The president's party will lose seats in Congress.
Which statement best summarizes the public's view of Congress?
The public is increasingly more approving of Congress as the scope of government gradually expands.(WRONG)
Why is it difficult to impeach the president?
The threshold for an impeachable offense is high.
Which of the following presidents advocated for an increased role of the national government?
Theodore Roosevelt
The president's cabinet is best described as a __________.
group of presidential advisers whose advice the president can ignore
People who oppose the president's policies tend to take what position on presidential power?
They believe the president has too much power.
What impact do term limits have on elections at the state level?
They increase electoral competition.
What impact do rally events have on the president's approval ratings?
They lead to surges in presidential approval, though the effect is not long-lasting.
What role do whips play in Congress?
They pressure undecided legislators to vote with their party.
How do treaties differ from executive agreements?
Treaties require Senate ratification, while executive agreements do not.
What is one reason that there are not more women in Congress?
Women with children are less ambitious about running for office.
Which of the following is widely accepted as grounds for impeachment of the president?
a grave offense
What best describes the president's cabinet?
a group of executive branch heads who are too concerned with representing their departments' interests to be able to advise the president from a broad perspective
What is a congressional caucus?
a group of legislators with a common interest or characteristic
Who can introduce a bill in Congress?
a member of Congress
Which of the following is an example of casework?
a member of Congress helping a constituent get a passport
Which event is most likely to result in presidential impeachment?
a president's decision to invade a country solely to increase his or her public support
The relationship between the president and the press is best described as __________.
adversarial
When a newly elected president has __________, the president's proposals have greater legitimacy and credibility.
an electoral mandate
Only a(n) __________ court can review the decisions of a lower court.
appellate
How have recent presidents used their vice presidents?
as policy advisers and for important diplomacy
Why do presidents need to gain support for their policies from officials in the other branches of government instead of enacting them outright?
because the Constitution established a system of shared powers
What form of legislature does the United States have?
bicameral
How can a filibuster on legislation be stopped?
by a vote of 60 senators
How does the pork barrel aid the district of a member of Congress?
by bringing federal funds and projects to a district
How did the Twenty-second Amendment limit the presidency?
by creating a limit of two terms in office
Which of the following is within the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
cases involving states as states
The Framers' decision to give Congress the power to declare war reflected their desire to __________.
check the presidential powers they believed to be most dangerous
Which type of law involves the violation of the legal rights of one individual toward another?
civil
Which of the following are most commonly heard by the U.S. Supreme Court?
civil actions from lower federal courts
In which legal proceedings are a small number of people permitted to sue on behalf of all other people in similar circumstances?
class action suits
A filibuster can be ended through __________; it requires the approval of __________ senators.
cloture; sixty
The main purpose of the War Powers Resolution was to __________.
give Congress more control over military action
Top aides in the White House are most likely to have which of the following traits in common?
complete loyalty to the president
Suppose that the House and Senate pass different versions of a tax bill. What type of committee will be formed to iron out the differences and bring back one bill?
conference committee
Members of Congress are less racially diverse than America as a whole. As a result, Congress can be said to be lacking in __________ representation.
descriptive
How can Congress check the president's war powers?
determining the military's budget???
The main purpose of executive orders is to __________.
direct implementation of laws, treaties, and provisions of the Constitution
In which federal courts are trials typically conducted?
district courts
An __________ is the perception that the voters strongly support the president and his or her policies.
electoral mandate
What can a president do to be a more effective leader of his party in Congress?
enact legislation that the public likes(Wrong) Increase congressional salaries(wrong)
Presidents have an easier time influencing Congress when they __________.
enjoy broad public support
Which of the following is a major responsibility of the Supreme Court?
ensuring that laws are interpreted in the same way throughout the nation
Which of the following is an administrative power of the president?
execute federal laws
What tool allows presidents to make regulations regarding how legislation will be implemented and carries the force of law?
executive orders
Which power belongs exclusively to the president?
extending diplomatic recognition to foreign governments
What factor makes it more difficult for the president to influence public opinion through speeches?
extreme partisan polarization
In the lawmaking process, the president typically serves as a __________.
facilitator
Critics of Congress argue that when the institution faithfully adheres to the wishes of various constituencies, it may __________.
fail to enact bold reforms
One reason women are underrepresented in Congress is that __________.
fewer women become major party nominees for office
Which of the following is a way that interest groups attempt to influence the Supreme Court's decisions?
filing amicus curiae briefs?
Under which of the following circumstances would a challenger be most likely to defeat an incumbent?
following the redrawing of electoral district boundaries
What might a group of members of Congress do if they have a common desire to influence public policies involving an issue of mutual interest?
form a caucus
Proponents of which judicial philosophy believe that it is appropriate for judges to make bold policy decisions when doing so is necessary to address pressing societal needs?
judicial activism
A judge who believes in deferring to the decisions of elected representatives believes in __________.
judicial restraint
Federal district court judges are appointed to __________ terms.
lifetime
In the House of Representatives, who is the Speaker's primary partisan ally?
majority leader
In a(n) __________ system, the votes of some citizens weigh more than the votes of others.
malapportioned
A president's judicial nominees are most likely to be __________.
members of the president's political party
Committee assignments are typically made on the basis of __________.
members' requests and party leaders' recommendations
Most research investigating whether television networks and major newspapers are biased in their reporting of the president has concluded that __________.
news media are not systematically biased toward a particular person, party, or ideology
Which judicial power belongs to the president?
nominating federal judges
Since the presidency of Lyndon Johnson, Americans have chosen presidents who __________.
often championed placing limitations on government
Party leaders sometimes use __________ legislation that includes many issues in an effort to create a winning coalition that will support passage of the bill.
omnibus
While women make up more than half of the U.S. population, they account for __________ of both houses of Congress.
one-fifth
Which approach to judicial decision making would a Supreme Court justice be using if he or she argued that the Court cannot consider what is just or fair; it should only consider what the Framers meant when they wrote a given passage?
originalism
Which of the following best describes the confirmation process for recent Supreme Court nominees?
sometimes contentious
Congress missed the fact that various agencies with responsibility for supervising the banking industry were negligent in identifying looming financial problems that led to the recession of 2008-2009. This suggests a failure of __________.
oversight
No Republicans voted for President Obama's health care reform plan, and no Democrats voted for President Trump's tax plan. What does this illustrate?
partisan polarization in Congress
To become law, a bill must __________.
pass in identical form in both chambers of Congress
What do whips do?
persuade party members to support the party's priorities
Historically, vice presidential candidates have often been chosen to __________.
placate a significant party constituency
One trend that has contributed to __________ is the increasingly one-sided partisan makeup of House districts.
polarization
How is each number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives determined?
population
Federal projects, grants, and contracts available to state and local governments are typically referred to as __________.
pork barrel projects
Which of the following is a power of the vice president?
preside over the Senate
The presidential veto is most useful in serving what purpose?
preventing legislation
On which of the following characteristics would voters most likely rate female political candidates more highly than male candidates?
problem-solving skills
Which of the following is an example of unorthodox lawmaking?
referring a bill to multiple committees at once
What is substantive representation?
representation of the interests of groups of which they themselves are not members
Which of the following is a duty of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?
review proposed regulations
When presidents appear on television, they are trying to __________.
shape public opinion
Who represents the federal government in appeals to the Supreme Court?
solicitor general
Which citizen is ineligible to become president?
someone who has already been elected president twice
What was Watergate?
the events that led to Richard Nixon's resignation under the threat of impeachment
Which of the following is a limitation on effective congressional oversight?
the fragmentation of committee jurisdictions
Who takes the lead in crafting national security policy?
the president
The Framers of the Constitution would likely be surprised by which aspect of the president's role as commander in chief?
the president's authority over the nation's standing army
To argue that Congress can limit the scope of government, you could point to what evidence?
the rise of the Tea Party movement
The initial fear of presidential power can be traced to __________.
the time the Constitution was written
Suppose the Senate is about to vote on a foreign policy bill. What information would be most important to predict senators' voting decisions?
their ideology
Legislators acting as trustees base their voting decisions on __________.
their judgments about the best interests of their constituents
Which action is the most efficient and effective way for a president to shape legislation?
threatening to veto legislation if it is not changed to the president's liking
What is the vice president's only constitutionally defined job?
to serve as president of the Senate
Who breaks a tie in the Senate?
vice president of the United States
Which of the following is an advantage congressional incumbents possess in seeking reelection over challengers?
visibility in their districts
Members of Congress are generally __________ than the general population.
wealthier
What aspect of the presidency is the press most likely to report on?
what the president is doing
Under which of the following circumstances would a presidential nominee to the Supreme Court have the most trouble being confirmed?
when a president's party does not control the Senate
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
with a two-thirds vote of each chamber
How must states draw their congressional districts?
with equal population across districts
Which group is most underrepresented in Congress?
women
