Congress
Which of the following is the best definition for a hearing? Possible Answers: "A meeting of a Senate committee used for a variety of purposes, including investigations, seeking information on legislation ideas, and other lawful purposes." "A witch-hunt conducted by the Senate in order to deny judicial privilege to House Members." "A meeting of a Congressional committee used for a variety of purposes, including: investigations, seeking information on legislation ideas, and other lawful purposes." "A meeting of a House committee used for a variety of purposes, including investigations, seeking information on legislation ideas, and other lawful purposes."
"A meeting of a Congressional committee used for a variety of purposes, including: investigations, seeking information on legislation ideas, and other lawful purposes."
Which of the following is an accurate description of how a bill becomes a law in the House? Possible Answers: (1) Bill introduction; (2) Assignment to committee (and then Subcommittee, if applicable); (3) Rules committee creates a rule for the bill's consideration; (4) the House floor votes on the bill (1) The Rules Committee alerts the Committee of the Whole that a new bill is to be considered; (2) the bill is introduced, under the Rule from the Rules Committee; (3) the House floor votes on the bill None of these answers are correct (1) Bill Introduction; (2) Rules committee creates a rule for the bill's consideration; (3) Assignment to committee (and then Subcommittee, if applicable); (4) the House floor votes on the bill
(1) Bill introduction; (2) Assignment to committee (and then Subcommittee, if applicable); (3) Rules committee creates a rule for the bill's consideration; (4) the House floor votes on the bill
The United States Senate has __________ members. Possible Answers: 535 50 100 435 51
100
House members are elected to ___________ year terms. Possible Answers: 3 2 5 4 6
2
There are never more than ______________ Senators up for reelection at one time. Possible Answers: 40 20 60 30 50
20
You must be ____________ years old and a citizen for ______________ years to be a member of the House of Representatives. Possible Answers: 25 . . . 7 35 . . . your whole life 30 . . . 9 25 . . . 9 30 . . . 7
25 . . . 7
There are ____________ ways in which a bill can become a law and they are _____________. Possible Answers: 2 . . . overridden veto, pocket pass 2 . . . presidential signature, overridden veto 3 . . . presidential signature, overridden veto, decree of the Supreme Court 1 . . . presidential signature 3 . . . pocket pass, presidential signature, overridden veto
3 . . . pocket pass, presidential signature, overridden veto
You must be __________ years old and a citizen for __________ years to be a Senator. Possible Answers: 35 . . . your whole life 30 . . . 9 30 . . . 7 25 . . . 7 25 . . . 9
30 . . . 9
Which of the following is most likely to hold a hearing? Possible Answers: Committee Two of the answers are correct Subcommittee Full Chamber
Two of the answers are correct
What is "cloture"? Possible Answers: A parliamentary procedure in the House that forces the president to act The ability of the Majority Leader in the House to force a vote A 3/5ths vote that allows the Senate to forcibly end a filibuster The process by which the Speaker of the House chooses her successor None of the answers are correct
A 3/5ths vote that allows the Senate to forcibly end a filibuster
What is the name of a Congressional committee designed to correct differences between a House and Senate version of a Bill? Possible Answers: A House Ways and Means Committee A Standing Committee A Conference Committee A Cloture Committee A Logrolling Committee
A Conference Committee
What is the name given to permanent congressional committees tasked with responsibility over one area of government policy? Possible Answers: A Majority Committee A Pluralistic Committee A Conference Committee A Standing Committee A House Committee
A Standing Committee
Which of the following most accurately describes a cross-cutting requirement? Possible Answers: A condition that stretches across, and applies to, any entity receiving federal money The source of all partisan troubles A parliamentary tactic used by our English forebears Funds appropriated for one purposed but that cut across to another purpose A penalty imposed for voting across party lines
A condition that stretches across, and applies to, any entity receiving federal money
Which of the following factors is not partly responsible for Congress's expanding powers of legislative oversight since the 1960s? Possible Answers: Public concerns over executive branch corruption in the wake of the Watergate scandal Increasing voter support for those Congress men and women who can claim to have played some part in corralling government expenditures through oversight A corresponding consequence of the ever-expansive nature of the national budget A necessity mandated by complications posed by the government's physical enlargement
A corresponding consequence of the ever-expansive nature of the national budget
What is a "logroll"? Possible Answers: A quid pro quo of legislative politics, whereby members swap support for dissimilar policies A sine qua non of legislative politics, whereby members shut down a filibuster None of the answers are correct The same thing as pork barrel legislation A parliamentary procedure involving wood-based objections
A quid pro quo of legislative politics, whereby members swap support for dissimilar policies
What is required to override a presidential veto? Possible Answers: A vote of three quarters of the state legislatures in favor of overriding the veto A two thirds majority of Congress voting to override the veto A signed compromise between the Majority and Minority Leaders in both the House and Senate A ruling by the Federal District Court of Washington D.C.
A two thirds majority of Congress voting to override the veto
A(n) __________ is a type of committee which is created to achieve a particular purpose, and exists only until that purpose is achieved. Possible Answers: Standing committee Ad hoc/Select committee Conference committee Joint committee
Ad hoc/Select committee
In the House, after a bill passes out of committee, it goes to the Rules Committee. Which type(s) of Rules can the Rules Committee create? Possible Answers: Open All of these answers are correct Closed Structured
All of these answers are correct
Assuming that a subcommittee works on a bill, what choice(s) do/es the full committee have in terms of the subcommittee's work? Possible Answers: The full committee may reject the bill The full committee may amend the bill The full committee may accept the bill All of these answers are correct.
All of these answers are correct.
Which of the following are powers that belong solely to the House and Senate, respectively (answers formatted as: House/Senate)? Possible Answers: None of the above Amending bills/proposing bills Treaty ratification/appropriations Appropriations/Treaty ratification Proposing bills/ vetoing bills
Appropriations/Treaty ratification
Which of the following is true of revenue bills? Possible Answers: Bills for raising revenue can be passed independently by either the House of Representatives or the Senate Bills for raising revenue can originate and be passed by either the House of Representatives or the Senate Bills for raising revenue must originate in the Senate Bills for raising revenue can originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate Bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives
Bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives
What is the difference between candidate- and party-centered politics? Possible Answers: The constitution specifically forbids candidate-centered politics, whereas it calls for party-centered politics Candidate-centered politics put forward individuals as political entrepreneurs whereas party-centered politics emphasize political party unity and national issues The constitution specifically forbids party-centered politics, whereas it calls for candidate-centered politics Candidate-centered politics emphasize political party unity and national issues whereas party-centered politics put forward individuals as political entrepreneurs
Candidate-centered politics put forward individuals as political entrepreneurs whereas party-centered politics emphasize political party unity and national issues
The Supreme Court can override a President's veto. Possible Answers: False, only Congress can override a Presidential veto False, only the Senate can override a Presidential veto None of these answers is accurate. True
False, only Congress can override a Presidential veto
Which of the following statements concerning caucuses is incorrect? Possible Answers: Caucuses form a vital network of informal organizations throughout Congress, built and maintained on trust and mutual goals shared between members. Caucuses typically are arranged along party lines, with very little crossover between either parties or chambers of Congress. Caucuses usually take shape through a rather organic and informal process, in which Congress men and women discover common interests and decide to band together. Currently, there are more than two hundred and fifty caucuses in Congress, including the Black Caucus, the Caucus for Women's Issues, and the Sunbelt Caucus.
Caucuses typically are arranged along party lines, with very little crossover between either parties or chambers of Congress.
A __________ is a type of committee which is created for the sole purpose of reconciling differences between House and Senate versions of the same Bill. Possible Answers: Conference committee Standing committee Ad hoc/Select committee Joint committee
Conference committee
Which of the following statements is false? Possible Answers: The Supreme Court's original jurisdiction is fixed in the Constitution The Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction can be removed by Congress Congress can, in the absence of a constitutional amendment, expand or restrict the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction Congress can, in the absence of a constitutional amendment, expand or restrict the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction
Congress can, in the absence of a constitutional amendment, expand or restrict the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction
The Commerce Power of Congress states that __________. Possible Answers: Congress is tasked with ensuring the prohibition of monopolies and cartels Congress cannot intervene in the regulation of interstate trade Congress has the sole power to levy taxes on corporations Congress has the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade Congress can make no laws concerning trade within a state
Congress has the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade
All of the following are trends currently at work exerting strong influence upon Congress except ____________. Possible Answers: Congress men and women are making policy decisions in strict accordance with their constituents' opinions at historically unparalleled rates Congress has increasingly engaged in gerrymandering, so that districts are now more politically homogenous than ever before. the President faces ever more insurmountable obstacles when it comes to earning support for the executive agenda from Congress's opposition party members. Congressional political parties - and parties in general - are growing ever farther apart in terms of ideology, thereby increasing the occurrences of gridlock in both the House and Senate.
Congress men and women are making policy decisions in strict accordance with their constituents' opinions at historically unparalleled rates
How can proponents of a bill force the bill out of committee? Possible Answers: Discharge petition They cannot Ask the President for assistance Impeach the committee chair
Discharge petition
When creating and structuring the Congress, the Framers of the Constitution professed all except _____________. Possible Answers: Congressional members were conceived of as "citizen politicians," who would take time out from their professional lives to briefly serve the nation before resuming their normal careers afterwards. Due to the rules governing Congressional apportionment, the Framers predicted it was likely both the House and Senate would end up becoming bastions of elite interests. The Framers envisioned Congress as the ultimate source of government policy, serving as legislative enactors and arbiters of political disputes. The bicameral nature of Congress is meant to function as a key component of the wider system of checks and balances erected to control all three branches of government.
Due to the rules governing Congressional apportionment, the Framers predicted it was likely both the House and Senate would end up becoming bastions of elite interests.
Only the Speaker of the House may introduce a bill. Possible Answers: True, only the speaker of House can introduce a bill True, under normal rules of procedure, but under special circumstances the President may also introduce a bill False, any member of the House can introduce a bill False, anyone can introduce a bill
False, any member of the House can introduce a bill
As the lower chamber, all bills must start in the House of Representatives, no matter the subject of the bill. Possible Answers: True None of the other answers is accurate. False, all bills must begin in the senate False, bills may begin in either chamber (in most cases)
False, bills may begin in either chamber (in most cases)
Congress is descriptively representative—that is, the makeup of Congress reflects the physical characteristics of the constituency as a whole. Possible Answers: False, congresspeople are disproportionately representative of the white, middle-aged upper-middle class demographic True, the physical makeup of congress matches the demographic makeup of the country None of these answers is correct. False, congresspeople are direct representatives.
False, congresspeople are disproportionately representative of the white, middle-aged upper-middle class demographic
The Senate has a Rules Committee. Possible Answers: False, neither the Senate nor the House has a rules committee True, both the House and Senate have rules committees False, only the House has a rules committee True, the Senate, and not the house, has a rules committee Correct answer: False, only the House has a rules committee
False, only the House has a rules committee
Any amendments offered to a bill in the Senate must be germane to the matter at hand. Possible Answers: True, both the House and Senate require amendments to be germane to the matter at hand True, the Senate, and not the House, requires amendments to be germane to the matter at hand False, neither the Senate nor the House require amendments to be germane to the matter at hand False, only the House requires amendments to be germane to the matter at hand
False, only the House requires amendments to be germane to the matter at hand
In order to invoke cloture, the Constitution requires a 2/3 vote in the Senate. Possible Answers: True False, the vote required is 3/5 not 2/3 False, the constitution makes no mention of cloture False, the constitution makes no mention of cloture and 2/3 is not the correct vote required
False, the constitution makes no mention of cloture and 2/3 is not the correct vote required
What is the name given to the ability of a Member of Congress to mail a letter to a member of his or her constituency free of charge? Possible Answers: Cloture Rule Gerrymandering Gossamer Rights Franking Privilege Huey Doctrine
Franking Privilege
Which of the following most accurately describes a crossover sanction? Possible Answers: A penalty imposed for voting across party lines Funding (or lack thereof) in one area tied to a policy goal in another area A parliamentary tactic used by our English forebears The source of all partisan troubles All of the answers are correct
Funding (or lack thereof) in one area tied to a policy goal in another area
Which of the following most accurately describes a "block grant" (a type of federal grant-in-aid)? Possible Answers: Funds appropriated and distributed tied to a very specific policy target None of the answers are correct Funds appropriated to one purpose, but tied to the goal of another purpose Funds appropriated and distributed tied to a general policy target No funds appropriated or distributed; simply a mandate to the state or local government
Funds appropriated and distributed tied to a general policy target
According to the Constitution, revenue bills must originate in the __________. Possible Answers: Congressional Budget Office House of Representatives Senate House and Senate Office of the Internal Revenue Service
House of Representatives
Which of the following is not a power of the Senate? Possible Answers: Ratify treaties Elect the Vice President in the event that neither presidential candidate receives enough votes in a presidential election Confirm federal judicial appointments Impeach officials Try impeached officials
Impeach officials
The "filibuster" is a parliamentary tool that can be used ___________. Possible Answers: In the House of Representatives only In the Senate only In the House and the Senate In state legislatures only By the President
In the Senate only
Who was elected Speaker of the House after the Republicans gained a majority in the House in the elections of 2010? Possible Answers: Dennis Hastert John Boehner Nancy Pelosi Rand Paul John McCain
John Boehner
Which of the following types of Congressional Committee consists of members of both houses of Congress? Possible Answers: Select Committee Oversight Committee Joint Committee Conference Committee Standing Committee
Joint Committee
What is it called when a [sub]committee makes editorial or substantive changes to a bill? Possible Answers: Editing None of these answers is correct Mark up Drafting
Mark up
Which of the following is the most accurate description of "pork-barrel" legislation? Possible Answers: Narrowly-targeted programs or tax breaks designed to harm constituents without regard to the impact on the overall spending system Broad legislation intended to help all American equally Legislation directed toward increasing the safety of pork barrels for consumers Narrowly-targeted programs or tax breaks, designed to benefit constituents without regard to the impact on the overall spending system None of the answers are correct
Narrowly-targeted programs or tax breaks, designed to benefit constituents without regard to the impact on the overall spending system
Which of the following most accurately describes an unfunded mandate? Possible Answers: Funds appropriated and distributed tied to a very general policy target Funds appropriated and distributed tied to a very specific purpose No funds appropriated or distributed; simply a mandate to the state or local government None of the answers are correct Funds appropriated for one purpose, but tied to the goal of another purpose
No funds appropriated or distributed; simply a mandate to the state or local government
Do both Senators and House members have term limits of 12 years? Possible Answers: None of these answers is accurate. No, neither senators nor house members have term limits. No, both senators and house members have term limits of 6 years, not 12. Yes, the term limit for both house and senate members is 12 years. No, only house members have a term limit.
No, neither senators nor house members have term limits.
Imagine that you are a Democrat. Which of the following is the most accurate representation of your constituency? Possible Answers: None of the answers are correct All Republicans in your district Those voters in your district who voted to place you in office on election day Those voters in your district who voted to place your opponent in office All Democrats in your district
None of the answers are correct
Which of the following is among the House's sole powers? Possible Answers: None of the answers are correct Confirming an Article III judge or justice Ratifying a treaty Removing the President from office after passage of Articles of Impeachment
None of the answers are correct
In the Senate, after a bill passes out of committee, it goes to the Rules Committee. Which type(s) of Rules may the Rules Committee create? Possible Answers: Structured Closed Open None of these answers are correct
None of these answers are correct
The total number of US Senators was capped at what number in 1911? Possible Answers: 150 200 None of these answers is correct 435 100
None of these answers is correct
The ___________ creates a rule under which a Bill is to be considered in the Senate. Possible Answers: Majority Leader Conference Committee Rules Committee None of these answers is correct.
None of these answers is correct.
The Speaker of the House is entrusted with all of these responsibilities -except for one. Please select the one power which s/he does not wield. Possible Answers: Strictly controls the assignment of bills to various committees Occupies the third position in the line of presidential succession Greatly influences the committee assignments of each representative Presides over and manages every House session
Occupies the third position in the line of presidential succession
Which of the following is not one of the crucial advantages enjoyed by incumbent Congress men and women when running for reelection? Possible Answers: Opponent candidates are usually rather weak (in both strength and qualifications), especially when it comes to those campaigning for Senate seats. Incumbents typically enjoy a much higher level of visibility among voters than do their opponents. Incumbents are able to point to specific political achievements and recent accomplishments as proof of their suitability. Incumbents are able to draw on the goodwill of their constituents earned through their securing of pork barrel funds.
Opponent candidates are usually rather weak (in both strength and qualifications), especially when it comes to those campaigning for Senate seats.
Which of the following is not one of the four types of Congressional committees? Possible Answers: Oversight committees Conference committees Select committees Standing committees
Oversight committees
Which of the following definitions is true? Possible Answers: Casework is investigative oversight conducted by select Congressional committees into the activities of government intelligence and/or military operations. Pork barrels are federal contracts, programs, and/or grants that are funded by Congressional appropriations and used by Congressmen and women as ways of improving and gaining influence over their districts/states/constituents. Descriptive representation involves the direct representation of a group's interests. Substantive representation is representation through the embodiment of shared personal traits.
Pork barrels are federal contracts, programs, and/or grants that are funded by Congressional appropriations and used by Congressmen and women as ways of improving and gaining influence over their districts/states/constituents.
Roll calling in Congress, to determine if the minimum number of representatives are present in order to pass or discuss a resolution, is called a __________. Possible Answers: Cloture Rule Teller Vote Closed Poll Quorum Call Sequential Referral
Quorum Call
To be sent to the president, a bill must be passed by _____________. Possible Answers: a majority vote of congress an agreement of senior members of congress the Senate both the House and the Senate the House
both the House and the Senate
Unanimous Consent Agreements are more prevalent in the ____________. Possible Answers: House All of these answers are correct. Supreme Court Senate
Senate
After a President is impeached, the ___________ must vote to remove the President from office, and the motion must pass by a ___________ vote. Possible Answers: Senate . . . 3/4 House . . . 1/2 House . . . 3/4 Senate . . . 1/2 Senate . . . 2/3
Senate . . . 2/3
When assessing the likelihood of incumbency reelection, all of the following - except one - are key ways in which Senators and representatives diverge. Please select the one incorrect answer. Possible Answers: Incumbent Senators must wage more aggressive reelection campaigns in order to account for the considerably larger size and more diverse makeup of their constituencies' districts. More than ninety percent of House incumbents are successful in their reelection bids, with many enjoying a healthy margin of victory (sometimes as high as sixty percent). Senators running for reelection can reap considerably more goodwill among the voters by riding the sitting president's political "coattails;" this tactic tends to backfire upon House members. The media, in all of its many facets, tends to grant more "free" campaign coverage to incumbent Senators by virtue of their greater prestige. While most incumbent senators are also handily reelected, they tend to win by a narrower percentage of the vote than that of their House counterparts.
Senators running for reelection can reap considerably more goodwill among the voters by riding the sitting president's political "coattails;" this tactic tends to backfire upon House members.
A __________ is a type of committee which exists from one Congress to the next; i.e. is a permanent committee. Possible Answers: Ad hoc/Select committee Standing committee Conference committee Joint committee
Standing committee
Who has the power to declare war in the United States? Possible Answers: The Secretary of Defense The President of the United States The Senate of the United States The Congress of the United States The House of Representatives
The Congress of the United States
Prior to the ratification of the 17th Amendment, what federal office(s) was/were popularly (directly) elected? Possible Answers: The President, the Senate, and the House The House only The Senate only Both the Senate and the House The President only
The House only
What is the leader of the Senate called? Possible Answers: The Speaker of the Senate The Majority Whip The Majority Leader The President Pro Tem
The Majority Leader
Which of the following offices is responsible for "whipping" votes? Possible Answers: All of these answers are correct The Majority Leader The Majority/Minority Whip The Speaker of the House
The Majority/Minority Whip
Which of the following is a 'pocket veto'? Possible Answers: The President does not act on a bill (e.g. neither signs nor vetoes the bill) for 10 days after receiving it, and Congress adjourns within the same period. The President returns the bill to Congress with a statement as to why he didn't sign it. The President puts the bill in a physical pocket and locks it up for 10 days. The President does not act on a bill (e.g. neither signs nor vetoes the bill) for 10 days after receiving it. None of the answers are correct.
The President does not act on a bill (e.g. neither signs nor vetoes the bill) for 10 days after receiving it, and Congress adjourns within the same period.
Which of the following is not one of the key differences between the structures of the House and the Senate? Possible Answers: When it comes to the impeachment process, only the House can begin impeachment proceedings against the President, while the Senate is solely responsible for holding the subsequent trial. Senators almost always come from much larger constituencies than do their counterparts in the House. The Senate is much more centralized in terms of both power and leadership, while the House's leaders are generally more fragmented. House representatives cannot debate endlessly, unlike Senators, who can filibuster (and thus debate without limits) at will.
The Senate is much more centralized in terms of both power and leadership, while the House's leaders are generally more fragmented.
Who serves as the head of the House of Representatives? Possible Answers: The Speaker The President Pro-Tempore The Vice President The Majority Whip The Minority Whip
The Speaker
What is the leader of the House of called? Possible Answers: The Majority Whip The Majority Leader The Speaker of the House The Gendarme Correct answer: The Speaker of the House
The Speaker of the House
Who has the power to declare war? Possible Answers: The Secretary of Defense The Joint Chiefs of Staff The President The U.S. Congress
The U.S. Congress
Who has the power to confirm federal judges? Possible Answers: The Supreme Court of the United States The U.S. Senate The U.S. Congress The U.S. Attorney General
The U.S. Senate
Who serves as the head of the Senate? Possible Answers: The president Pro-Tempore The Minority Whip The Majority Whip The Vice President The Speaker
The Vice President
Within the U.S system of checks and balances, which body holds the "power of the purse"? Possible Answers: The President The people The courts The bureaucracy The legislature
The legislature
Only Congress can declare war. Possible Answers: True, only Congress can declare war, at which point the Commander-in-Chief directs the troops False, only the Commander-in-Chief can declare war False, only a direct vote by the electorate can enact a declaration of war True, only Congress can declare war, at which point the Joint Chiefs of staff direct the troops
True, only Congress can declare war, at which point the Commander-in-Chief directs the troops
Which of the following statements about the current makeup of Congress is false? Possible Answers: Members overwhelmingly are ranked among the country's wealthiest citizens, especially in the Senate (which has earned the nickname "The Millionaire's Club"). African Americans are very much underrepresented in Congress, especially in the Senate, which only has two currently serving African American Senators. The most prominent occupations of both Senators and Representatives are those in the financial, medical, and legal realms. Women are arguably the most underrepresented Congressional group, making up a mere seventeen percent of each chamber's population despite making up more than half of the nation's wider population.
The most prominent occupations of both Senators and Representatives are those in the financial, medical, and legal realms.
Which of the following is not a power of Congress? Possible Answers: The power to make laws The power to approve treaties The power to veto laws The power to approve presidential appointments The power to declare war
The power to veto laws
Which of the following is the most important document that accompanies a bill out of committee—that is, when it goes to the floor for a vote? Possible Answers: The report The grand vizier The dossier The "stack" sheet
The report
Select the option that correctly delineates the pathway of a bill through Congress. Possible Answers: Through the House: Bill Introduction - Subcommittee - Committee- Rules Committee - Full House - Conference Committee - Full House Through the Senate: Subcommittee - Committee - full Senate - Conference Committee Through the Senate: Bill Introduction - Leadership - Committee - full Senate - Leadership - full Senate Through the House: Rules Committee - Committee - full House - Conference Committee
Through the House: Bill Introduction - Subcommittee - Committee- Rules Committee - Full House - Conference Committee - Full House
Which description refers solely to the United States Senate? Possible Answers: Initiates revenue bills Tries impeached officials Initiates articles of impeachment Contains four hundred and thirty-five members Members have two-year terms
Tries impeached officials
An amendment to a bill in the House must be germane (that is, pertinent). Possible Answers: False, there is no restriction on the content of amendments. False, bills are attached to amendments, not the other way around. True, all amendments attached to a bill must be relevant to the bill. False, there are restrictions on the content of amendments, but they are purely legal, and not concerned with the relevance of the amendment to the bill. False, amendments cannot be attached to bills.
True, all amendments attached to a bill must be relevant to the bill.
Pork-barrel legislation is a logical outcome of Congressional politics and the pressures of a constituency. Possible Answers: True, as congresspeople are responsible to local electorate and are voting on bills of national importance False, pork barrel legislation not a factor in American legislative politics False, congresspeople, while responsible to local electorate, are not allowed to vote on bills directly affecting their districts None of these answers is accurate.
True, as congresspeople are responsible to local electorate and are voting on bills of national importance
Procedurally speaking, it is easier to get a bill to a floor vote in the Senate rather than in the House. Possible Answers: True, since only the Senate has a Rules Committee, the procedures are more consistent and thus easier to navigate False, members of the Senate cannot pass legislation True, because there is no Rules Committee there are less procedural steps to passing a bill through the Senate False, the procedures of the House and Senate are identical
True, because there is no Rules Committee there are less procedural steps to passing a bill through the Senate
Most bills die in committee. Possible Answers: False, bills cannot be killed in committee True, committees are the first point at which bills are delayed and eventually killed True, committees are the only point at which bills are killed False, most bills are killed on the floor
True, committees are the first point at which bills are delayed and eventually killed
There is a bias against action in congress. Possible Answers: True, there is a procedural bias against action in congress False, there is an electoral bias in favor of action in congress False, there is procedural bias in favor of action in congress True, there is an electoral bias against action in congress
True, there is a procedural bias against action in congress
An indirect democracy differs from a direct democracy in which of the following ways? Possible Answers: Two of these answers are correct An indirect democracy involves the election of representatives who then make all requisite laws None of these answers are correct An indirect democracy involves citizens directly voting on laws themselves
Two of these answers are correct
Which of the following is the constitutionally mandated President of the Senate? Possible Answers: Majority Whip Minority Leader Vice President of the United States of America Majority Leader
Vice President of the United States of America
If given the right conditions, can a minority of the population the majority of the Senate? Possible Answers: Yes; the senate does not operate on a vote-majority basis Yes; senate seats are set to two seats per state regardless of population No; senate seats are proportionally distributed based on geographic region None of these answers is accurate. No; senate seats are proportionally distributed based on population
Yes; senate seats are set to two seats per state regardless of population
The Senate procedure to end a filibuster is called __________. Possible Answers: double jeopardy recidivism a cloture judicial review a pocket veto
a cloture
A discharge petition is __________. Possible Answers: related to expediting the removal of American military forces from their involvement in prolonged or stagnated foreign wars a movement organized by those in opposition to a political figure, designed to remove that person from office a process by which the House can remove a Bill that has stalled in a specific House committee and bring it to the attention of the full House a process by which Congress can oversee and overrule a decision made by the Supreme Court related to the power of Congress to remove Supreme Court Justices from office if they are deemed to be unfit for service
a process by which the House can remove a Bill that has stalled in a specific House committee and bring it to the attention of the full House
Logrolling is best defined as __________. Possible Answers: support offered by a representative to a bill that favors the representative's home district the waning power of a President in the last months of his Presidency an exchange of political favors or concessions in order to assure the support of a bill the term given to the adoption of British common law into the United States Constitution the policy of maintaining a large armed force to discourage other nations from attacking the United States
an exchange of political favors or concessions in order to assure the support of a bill
The Cloture Rule is designed to __________. Possible Answers: encourage the use of the filibuster veto a congressional action bring a Congressional debate to a quick end overrule a Presidential veto undermine a Judicial ruling
bring a Congressional debate to a quick end
Senator Joseph McCarthy is most closely associated with __________. Possible Answers: The Civil Rights Movement The Watergate Scandal the creation of the League of Nations communism and "The Red Scare." Prohibition
communism and "The Red Scare."
The primary responsibility of a Party Whip is to __________. Possible Answers: assist the President directly as a representative of the political party analyze voting patterns around the country to determine which seats are most likely to be competitive in the next House or Senate elections raise campaign funds during federal elections for their political party regulate the personal behavior of party members and try and prevent controversy ensure that party members in the legislature vote according to the party's political policy
ensure that party members in the legislature vote according to the party's political policy
A bicameral legislature is one that __________. Possible Answers: has one house has two houses is elected every two years uses committees is elected
has two houses
An unrelated amendment, added to a bill in order to try and pass a controversial measure in the legislature is called a(n) __________. Possible Answers: enigma filibuster cloture rider runner
rider
A temporary committee created for the purpose of tackling a specific issue is called a __________. Possible Answers: joint committee Ways and Means Committee select committee outlined committee standing committee
select committee
The voting patterns of Members of Congress are most likely to be affected by __________. Possible Answers: their religious background their level of education the political party with which they are affiliated. their economic background their business interests
the political party with which they are affiliated.
Gerrymandering is __________. Possible Answers: the process of redrawing electoral districts to offer an advantage to one party the act of removing a politician from office, without an election, after he or she has been found guilty of corruption the act of appropriating Federal funds for a broad use within a state the act of withholding campaign funding from a party that has breached campaign regulations the process of establishing a new lower court for the prescribed purpose of mediating a specific issue
the process of redrawing electoral districts to offer an advantage to one party
