AP Gov Bureaucracy Test (w/ MC)
Which of the following is most likely an effect of the trend in the line graph? An increase in accountability of the bureaucracy A A decrease in the length of regulatory bills passed by Congress B A decrease in congressional oversight as a mechanism to control the bureaucracy C An increase in the authority of the House of Representatives over the bureaucracy
A decrease in congressional oversight as a mechanism to control the bureaucracy
A policy that sets emission standards for automobiles is an example of A. regulatory policy B. judicial policy C. fiscal policy D. distributive policy E. monetary policy
A. regulatory policy
All of the following help to explain the President's difficulty in controlling cabinet-level agencies EXCEPT. A. Agencies often have political support from interest groups B. Agency staff often have information and technical expertise that the President and presidential advisers lack C. The President can only fire appointees before they have been confirmed by the Senate D. Civil servants who remain in their jobs through changes of administration develop loyalties to their agencies E. Congress is a competitor for influence over the bureaucracy
C. The President can only fire appointees before they have been confirmed by the Senate
An advantage that bureaucrats in federal government have over the President in the policymaking process is that bureaucrats control the budgetary process A. have an independence from the President that is guaranteed by the Constitution B. find it easier to marshall public support than does the President C. usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the President lacks D. have better access to the media than does the President
C. usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the President lacks
Which of the following best explains why cabinet secretaries might not aggressively pursue the president's policy agenda? Cabinet secretaries are unlikely to be members of the president's party. A Cabinet secretaries may develop strong loyalty to their departments. B Cabinet secretaries are likely to compete with the president in a subsequent election. C Under the Hatch Act, cabinet secretaries are prohibited from campaigning on behalf of the president. D The Freedom of Information Act compels cabinet secretaries to divulge confidential information to the media.
Cabinet secretaries may develop strong loyalty to their departments.
Which of the following describes the president's Cabinet? It consists of career civil servants with decades of experience in government service. A Its members have varying levels of influence on presidential decisions. B Its members hold office for fixed terms that coincide with the president's. C Its members must be selected from among current or former members of Congress. D Its members are required to approve presidential policy decisions.
Cabinet secretaries may develop strong loyalty to their departments.
A fundamental source of power for the federal bureaucracy lies in its A. role in moving legislation out of subcommittees B. role in mediating interstate conflicts C. ability to convince Congress to fund most projects it supports D. ability to mobilize public opinion in support of legislative initiatives E. ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from Congress
E. ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from Congress
Which of the following is an example of congressional oversight? Holding hearings for review of an executive agency's activities A Assisting constituents with particular problems B Reporting campaign contributions to the Federal Election Commission C Signing trade agreements with other countries without input from the president D Conducting ethics investigations of congressional leadership
Holding hearings for review of an executive agency's activities
Which of the following statements best relates to the information shown in the infographic? Despite many attempts at reform, some members of the federal bureaucracy are still hired through political patronage. A Like most businesses, the federal government has to seek out well-qualified and diverse job candidates. B Specialized skills, such as a background in STEM, are less important than a degree in political science for most jobs in the bureaucracy. C Most members of the federal bureaucracy work near Washington, D.C., or in state capitals.
Like most businesses, the federal government has to seek out well-qualified and diverse job candidates.
Which of the following is responsible for the preparation of executive spending proposals submitted to Congress? Treasury Department A Council of Economic Advisors B Federal Trade Commission C Department of Commerce D Office of Management and Budget
Office of Management and Budget
Which of the following is an accurate conclusion based on the pattern shown in the bar chart? Changing national priorities have caused a drop in spending for the Department of Homeland Security. A Special circumstances in 2005 and 2018 led Congress to approve supplemental appropriations. B Bureaucratic rule making has led to a gradual increase in supplemental appropriations over time. C Ideological divisions in Congress have led to gradual increases in annual appropriations.
Special circumstances in 2005 and 2018 led Congress to approve supplemental appropriations.
Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety? The Supreme Court will be asked to review the legislation annually. A States will be empowered to begin automobile manufacturing. B The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations. C Mandatory spending will be required in all future federal budgeting for the program.
The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy? A lobbyist representing the National Rifle Association refusing to meet with employees from the Department of Homeland Security A The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee B The White House chief of staff being formally censured by the president for publically speaking out against the president's policy goals C A federal judge being impeached for making legal decisions based on bribes
The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee
Which of the following is the best predictor of the Department of Education's annual budget? The preferences of the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee A The budget recommendations of the National Education Association B The rate of increase of teachers' salaries C The number of children entering kindergarten D The size of the previous year's budget
The size of the previous year's budget
Rules and regulations created by an agency such as the Federal Communications Commission are called constitutional law A statutory law B common law C equity law D administrative law
administrative law
One of the formal tools used by Congress for oversight of the bureaucracy is the line-item veto A authorization of spending B impoundment bills C private bills D senatorial courtesy
authorization of spending
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service will spend money appropriated by Congress to maintain wildlife refuges. This action is an example of the power of the filibuster A congressional oversight of the bureaucracy B bureaucratic implementation of law C an unfunded mandate D an independent expenditure
bureaucratic implementation of law
Congressional oversight refers to the power of Congress to override presidential vetoes A hold public hearings before confirming judicial appointees B exercise some control over executive agencies C allow nongovernmental agencies to defend or refute pending legislation publicly D seek judicial opinion on the constitutionality of pending legislation
exercise some control over executive agencies
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are examples of cabinet departments A independent agencies B Executive Office bureaus C congressional committees D White House staff agencies
independent agencies
The role Congress plays in ensuring that executive branch agencies are carrying out their legislated responsibilities is known as judicial review A legislative oversight B bicameralism C federalism D executive privilege
legislative oversight
In general, independent regulatory commissions are created primarily for the purpose of supporting and helping cabinet-level departments A proposing policy alternatives during periods of crisis B regulating the activities of other bureaucratic agencies to ensure that they act in a fair and objective manner C regulating certain industries to protect the public interest D increasing the President's patronage powers
regulating certain industries to protect the public interest
When independent regulatory agencies make rules, enforce those rules, and adjudicate disputes arising under those rules, they risk violating the constitutional concept of equal protection of the laws A due process of law B federal supremacy C separation of powers D federalism
separation of powers
Which of the following explains how the bureaucracy can address a problem shown in the infographic? A. The Department of Transportation can write stronger regulations on freight volume. B. The president can negotiate a treaty that would allow for increased imports of oil. C. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce can hold a hearing on the cost of fuel. D. The Supreme Court can overturn laws that regulate fuel economy.
A. The Department of Transportation can write stronger regulations on freight volume.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the process of bureaucratic rule making? A. The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs considers the credentials of a person nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits. B. The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand. C. The president signs Executive Order 13777 intended to "lower regulatory burdens on the American people by implementing and enforcing regulatory reform." D. The Supreme Court denies a writ of certiorari in Freddie H. Mathis v David J. Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which focused on veterans' disability claims.
B. The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand.
Cabinet departments differ from independent regulatory agencies in which of the following ways? A. The President can use an executive order to create a cabinet department but not to create an independent regulatory agency. B. The President can dismiss cabinet officers, but not commissioners of independent regulatory agencies. C. The President seeks appointees who reflect administration views in making cabinet appointments but not in making appointments to independent regulatory agencies. D. Through the appropriations process, Congress can exert control over the cabinet departments but not over independent regulatory agencies. E. The courts can overrule regulations issued by cabinet departments, but not those issued by independent regulatory agencies.
B. The President can dismiss cabinet officers, but not commissioners of independent regulatory agencies.
Which of the following is true of the relationship between Congress and executive agencies? The agencies were created by and work under the direction of Congress. A Agencies, once created, work totally independent of Congress. B Because the agencies have bureaucratic expertise, Congress delegates "rule-making authority" to them. C Because of differing objectives, their relationships are always adversarial. D Congress creates, staffs, and supervises all executive agencies.
Because the agencies have bureaucratic expertise, Congress delegates "rule-making authority" to them.
Which of the following explains an action Congress can take that would have the most influence on the data on the graphs? Members of Congress can increase congressional salaries, but only for the next Congress. A Congress can pass legislation that changes the federal salary structure. B Congress can cut funding for federal programs, which would lead to a decrease in salaries. C Congress can enforce a regulation that addresses wage increases.
Congress can pass legislation that changes the federal salary structure.
Which of the following explains how Congress would most likely respond if it were concerned about the slight increase in spending over time, as indicated by the bar chart? Congress could vote to remove the secretary of Homeland Security. A Congress could hold a special joint session to discuss potential solutions. B Congress could vote to reduce spending on the Department of Homeland Security in the next year's budget. C Congress could pass a constitutional amendment limiting appropriations.
Congress could vote to reduce spending on the Department of Homeland Security in the next year's budget.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates delegated discretionary authority? Congress giving the Environmental Protection Agency the power to establish national pollution standards A The chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce appointing the chair of the Environment subcommittee B The House of Representatives establishing the jurisdiction for the Committee on Energy and Commerce C The president nominating the attorney general of Ohio to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Congress giving the Environmental Protection Agency the power to establish national pollution standards
Congress is most likely to exert oversight of the executive bureaucracy in which of the following ways? Directly selecting the head of an executive agency A Impeaching the head of an executive agency B Using the Court to block implementation of proposed regulations C Controlling an executive agency's annual budget D Changing the term length of heads of independent regulatory commissions
Controlling an executive agency's annual budget
Which of the following possible actions illustrates a way Congress interacts with the bureaucracy to address the problem shown in the infographic? A. Congress could raise money through gasoline taxes to address the issues shown in the infographic. B. Congress could request that an iron triangle be formed to ensure that all bureaucratic solutions are heard prior to taking action. C. Congress could remove the members of the cabinet who work on issues related to transportation. D. Congress could have members of the Department of Transportation testify before a committee to discuss the issue and potential solutions.
D. Congress could have members of the Department of Transportation testify before a committee to discuss the issue and potential solutions.
Cabinet members often do not have a dominant influence on presidential decision-making because A. cabinet members generally maintain close independent ties to Congress B. cabinet members generally view their position only as a stepping-stone to further their own political ambitions C. cabinet members are not permitted to disagree publicly with the President D. presidential goals often conflict with the institutional goals of individual cabinet-level agencies E. only half of all cabinet members can be members of the President's party
D. presidential goals often conflict with the institutional goals of individual cabinet-level agencies
The mission of the Department of Transportation is to ensure the safety and efficiency of the transportation system. The Department of Transportation has accepted public comments regarding the safety of automated vehicles in the United States in order to establish standards and guidelines for this new technology. Which of the following concepts is most related to the scenario? Exclusive powers A Reserved powers B Delegated discretionary authority C Enumerated legislative authority
Delegated discretionary authority
Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be drawn from the data in the table? Support for the Vietnam War led Congress to hold more hearings to discuss increases in expenditures on the military effort. A Public concern over the Vietnam War led Congress to hold more hearings to consider using the power of the purse to influence the conduct of the war. B The public reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks led to many hearings to limit federal expenditures to fight terrorism. C The number of hearings have increased in the House of Representatives because members have become more dependent on political action committees.
Public concern over the Vietnam War led Congress to hold more hearings to consider using the power of the purse to influence the conduct of the war.
Congress has exerted the greats influence on the operation of a federal agency by doing which of the following? Requiring the agency to participate in interagency task forces A Dismissing an agency head who disagrees with congressional priorities B Reviewing the annual budget appropriations for the agency C Passing "sunset" legislation that terminates programs after a certain period D Asking the Supreme Court for advisory opinions on agency regulations
Reviewing the annual budget appropriations for the agency
Which of the following is an accurate statement about committees in Congress? The work of a committee ends when it submits a bill to the full House or Senate for consideration. A An individual representative or senator can serve on only one committee and one subcommittee. B Membership on key committees such as House Rules and Senate Finance is limited to fixed terms. C Standing committees oversee the bureaucracy's implementation of legislation. D Committee recommendations tend to have little influence on floor voting.
Standing committees oversee the bureaucracy's implementation of legislation.
Which of the following is an example of the executive branch implementing a public policy passed by Congress? The Department of Health and Human Services determines eligibility requirements for government assistance. A As chief diplomat, the president negotiates a treaty that is then ratified by the Senate. B A Federal Trade Commission official is asked to testify before Congress about the agency's activities. C Congress passes a law reorganizing the structure of the federal bureaucracy.
The Department of Health and Human Services determines eligibility requirements for government assistance.
Which of the following is true of independent regulatory agencies? They tend to have larger budgets than cabinet departments. A They are directly supervised by cabinet departments. B They provide a product or service directly to the public. C They are insulated from contact with interest groups. D They tend to be freer from presidential control than are cabinet departments.
They tend to be freer from presidential control than are cabinet departments.
Which of the following best describes how a president can influence the data in the graphs? Through the role of chief executive officer of the executive branch, the president can determine salary grades of federal employees. A The president has the power to formally introduce appropriations bills in the House of Representatives which can determine salary grades of federal employees. B The president as commander in chief can issue executive orders to modify the salary grades of federal employees. C The president has the authority to issue signing statements to determine the salary grades of federal employees.
Through the role of chief executive officer of the executive branch, the president can determine salary grades of federal employees.
