AP Gov Fast track 4-8
The state of New York is ordered by the Supreme Court to rescind a law limiting public speech as part of protest, with the court citing the First Amendment as the basis for its decision. The Court's application of this amendment to the individual state is rooted in which of the following?
14th amendment
Which of the following accurately describes the concept of stare decisis?
A court issues a ruling that is in line with existing precedent
Scott Pruitt's behavior would indicate that he is not implementing which of the following at the EPA?
A merit system
In 2013 and 2018, the federal government "shut down" when Congress was unable to pass a budget for the coming fiscal year. Democrats and Republicans could not agree on how the federal government should allocate its funds and handle growing costs. Which of the following items represents the largest and fastest growing portion of the federal budget?
A. Entitlements, including programs such as Medicare
According to the Constitution, which of the following executive actions requires the consent of one or both houses of Congress?
Appointment of a Supreme Court justice
Which of the following pairs represents an accurate comparison of the House and Senate?
B. Debage in the House is typically more regulated Debate in the Senate is typically less organized
Which of the following gives Congress its greatest flexibility in making laws?
B. Its ability to override presidential vetoes
Which of the following statements can be supported by the data in the chart?
B. Staggered term lengths disrupt existing coalitions and the ruling party of the Senate.
Which of the following is a power unique to the Senate?
B. ratifying treaties
A few minutes ago, Secretary Shinseki and Rob Nabors...presented me with the department's initial review of V[eterans] A[ffairs] facilities nationwide. And what they've found is that the misconduct has not been limited to a few VA facilities, but many across the country. That's totally unacceptable. Our veterans deserve the best...Secretary Shinseki has now begun the process of firing many of the people responsible, including senior leaders at the Phoenix VA. He's canceled any possible performance bonuses this year for VA senior executives. —President Barack Obama, May 30, 2014 Which of the following best describes President Obama's purpose for issuing this message?
Bonuses and incentives at the Department of Veteran Affairs have gotten out of control
Which of the following statements best describes how the bureaucracy can be influenced?
Both Congress and the executive branch have controls over the bureaucracy
As illustrated in the cartoon below, social media outlets such as Twitter are becoming a key part of the president's
Bully pulpit
A state is in the process of redrawing its congressional districts following the most recent census. Republicans in the state feel that two districts have been drawn specifically to give the Democratic Party an easy victory, so they challenge the district division in court. What will be the court's decision?
C. The courts refuse to hear the case since the courts do not rule on purely political disputes
In addition to Supreme Court justices, which of the following presidential appointments attracts the most scrutiny from the Senate?
Cabinet members
The state of Nevada receives federal money to renovate McCarran International Airport. The money must be used for this purpose and there are additional requirements that must be met by Nevada. What term best describes this?
Categorical grant
Who is responsible for determining the appropriations that bureaucratic agencies receive?
Congress
The president is most likely to use an executive order to make important policy when
Congress is controlled by the opposite party
Which of the following demonstrates legislative oversight?
Congressional committees calling for agency heads to testify before them
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of congressional and presidential control of the bureaucracy?
Congressional control - controls an agency's budget Presidential control - appoints the head of an agency
Following the financial crisis of 2008, many Americans expressed concern about the practices of many large investment banks. The Securities and Exchange Commission would be the government agency most directly responsible for addressing this matter. What action could the SEC take to address citizen concerns?
Create and enforce new regulations regarding how banks manage and invest their money
The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the power to
D. initiate all revenue bills
In the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803), the Supreme Court established its power to do which of the following?
Declare laws unconstitutional
The Department of Homeland Security oversees airport security through the Transportation Security Authority (TSA). A TSA employee working at an airport security allows an elderly woman to carry a small pair of scissors onto the plane, assuming she is not a security risk. This is an example of which of the following?
Discretionary authority
The federal government is given the power to negotiate and ratify a treaty with Canada relating to agricultural trade between the United States and Canada. States are given the power to identify agricultural zones within their borders. This scenario most clearly illustrates which of the following concepts?
Dual federalism
Which of the following constitutional provisions restrains the power of the national government?
Enmerated powers in Article I
Which of the following statements is reflected in the table?
Federal grants for health care are more than double the spending on any other program.
The inclusion of the national government and the state governments to be a part of the amendment process is best seen as an example of which of the following?
Federalism
In forming an iron triangle, interest groups attempt to achieve their goals through an alliance with a congressional committee and which of the following?
Friendly media outlets
Which of the following would best contribute to the sort of independent, nonpartisan decision making for which Hamilton is advocating?
Having federal courts being seated with unelected judges and justices
Which of the following is an accurate conclusion based on the information in the table?
Health care entitlements are the largest source of federal grants to the states.
From the standpoint of a federal agency, what is the advantage of an iron triangle?
It gives the agency allies in Congress, as well as in the private sector.
Which of the following statements best describes the impact of the Tenth Amendment?
It is primary protection for states' rights in the Constitution.
What is the role of judicial review in the system of checks and balances?
It makes the courts a coequal branch with the president and Congress
Which of the following is an example of concurrent powers?
Laws being enforced by both local law enforcement and agencies such as the FBI
According to the plan of the convention, all the judges who may be appointed by the United States are to hold their offices during good behavior... Its propriety having been drawn into question by the adversaries of that plan is no light symptom of the rage for objection which disorders their imaginations and judgments. The standard of good behavior for the continuance in office of the judicial magistracy is certainly one of the most valuable of the modern improvements in the practice of government. In a monarchy it is an excellent barrier to the despotism of the prince; in a republic it is a no less excellent barrier to the encroachments and oppressions of the representative body. And it is the best expedient which can be devised in any government to secure a steady, upright and impartial administration of the laws. —Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 78 Which of the following best summarizes Hamilton's argument?
Life-long terms for judges are a good way to guard against tyranny.
Which of the following pairs is an accurate comparison of the powers of the federal and state governments?
Negotiate and ratify treaties with foreign nations; Determine legal ages for purchasing alcohol & tobacco
Which of the following accurately describes the role of precedent in the Supreme Court decision making?
Precedent is occasionally rejected if the ideological makeup of the Court has shifted.
Which of the following limitations has been placed on the executive via constitutional amendment?
President is limited to two terms
President Grover Cleveland used federal troops to break up a labor strike, and President Eisenhower sent federal troops to desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Which clause of the Constitution gave them this power?
Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces
Which of the following pairs is an accurate comparison of the president's modern role in government and the role envisioned by the signers of the Constitution?
Signers of the constitution = given the power to veto, with congress having the power to override said veto Modern president = power to work around congress also includes executive orders and signing statements
The fact that Supreme Court justices hold their offices "during good behavior" explains the tension and partisanship surrounding which of the following?
Supreme Court appointments and confirmations
The president of the United States has a low approval rating, hovering around 35%. How will this most likely affect his relationship with Congress?
The bargaining power of the president will be significantly reduced
Long after the Supreme Court ruled prayer in public schools unconstitutional, public schools all over the country were still allowing prayer and Bible readings. Which of the following likely explains this situation?
The court lacks methods of enforcement, making it hard to force schools to comply
Wherever two or more persons are engaged in any common enterprise or pursuit, there is always danger of difference of opinion... [and] the most bitter dissensions are apt to spring. Whenever these happen, they lessen the respectability, weaken the authority, and distract the plans and operation of those whom they divide. If they should unfortunately assail the supreme executive magistracy of a country, consisting of a plurality of persons, they might impede or frustrate the most important measures of the government, in the most critical emergencies of the state. —Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 70 Which of the following best summarizes Alexander Hamilton's argument?
The executive branch would function best with a single person in charge.
The Commerce Clause has frequently been the subject of controversy for which of the following reasons?
The federal government often interprets "commerce" very broadly in justifying its actions
The chart is displaying trust in the various levels of government, as held by Republican, Democratic, and independent voters. Which of the following accurately describes the information presented in the chart?
The federal is the least favorably viewed level of government.
The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body. —Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 78 Alexander Hamilton is advocating for which of the following?
The power of judicial review
The Supreme Court declares a rule made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unconstitutional and orders the federal government to stop its implementation. The president wants to limit the impact of the court's decision. How can this be done?
The president can refuse to enforce the court's decision
The Department of Education passes new minimum guidelines for what makes an applicant "properly qualified" to be an elementary school teacher. The guidelines are to be implemented in over 13,000 school districts nationwide. Which of the following is the most likely result?
The requirements will be unevenly enforced due to discretion among so many districts.
Which of the following presidential actions is most likely to have the longest-lasting impact?
The successful appointment of a Supreme Court justice
Which of the following best describes the message of the below cartoon?
The use of technology and media is key to a president's image.
Which of the following best describes cloture?
a. Ending debate on a bill through a vote of sixty or more in the Senate
In 2017, Republicans set about attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). The process proved extremely difficult, as strong ideological and policy-based divisions arose both with the Democratic Party and within the various wings of the Republican Party. This scenario illustrates the concept of
a. gridlock
If Congress was not happy with the Supreme Court's ruling on a particular appeal, the best way to ensure that the court could not make the same decision in the future would be to
amend the constitution
Which of the following is the best example of devolution?
block grant given to a state with only loose guidelines from the federal government
President Donald Trump centered much of his campaign and presidency on illegal immigration. The media has covered many of his speeches and statements, resulting in significant attention from voters and action from Congress. This is an example of which of the following ideas?
bully pulpit
Which of the following illustrates the concept of log-rolling?
c. A Representative agrees to vote in support a bill in exchange for a similar vote on a different bill from a colleague.
Which of the following powers of the president best embodies the type of executive action Hamilton is arguing for?
commander in chief of the armed forces
Which of the following is true of the House Rules Committee?
d. It sets the rules for debate over bills before the House
A newly elected member of the House of Representatives seeking membership on key legislative committees would do well to curry favor from the
d. Speaker of the House
When voters expect their elected officials to act in the role of delegate, they expect those officials to
d. put the needs of their state or district above everything else
During the 2008 election cycle, the Democrats took control of the White House and gained a majority in the Senate. This development meant that the most powerful Democrat in the Senate would be
d. the majority leader
Divided government occurs when
d. the majority of one or both houses of Congress are from a party different from the president's, slowing law-making and increasing vetoes.
The information presented in the chart would likely indicate a moderate-to-high level of support for which of the following?
devolution
President Reagan issued 250 signing statements, 86 of which (34%) contained provisions objecting to one or more of the statutory provisions signed into law. President George H. W. Bush continued this practice, issuing 228 signing statements, 107 of which (47%) raised objections. President [Bill] Clinton's conception of presidential power proved to be largely consonant with that of the preceding two administrations. In turn, President Clinton made aggressive use of the signing statement, issuing 381 statements, 70 of which (18%) raised constitutional or legal objections. President George W. Bush has continued this practice, issuing 152 signing statements, 118 of which (78%) contain some type of challenge or objection —Congressional Research Service, September 17, 2007 "Signing statements," as the term used in the passage, refer to a president issuing a statement that
informs Congress and the public how the president is interpreting the law.
President Obama's quickest and most effective manner for addressing the issues outlined in his statement would likely be to
issue executive orders that attempt to fix the problem.
Justices such as Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch believe that the Constitution should be interpreted according to its clear language. Both men believe the court should stick to interpreting the Constitution as written and not implement or improvise policy. This judicial philosophy can best be upheld using which of the following?
judicial restraint
In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make. —Article III of the U.S. Constitution The passage above is often used as the basis for justifying the existence of
judicial review.
Which of the following constitutional provisions has been interpreted as weakening the Tenth Amendment?
necessary and proper clause
Pruitt's actions, as described in the article, more closely resemble
patronage
Ambassadorships tend to be awarded to friends and allies of the president. This is a process known as
political patronage
The use of signing statements, as discussed in the passage, often raises concerns relating to which constitutional concept?
separation of powers
