2.2

Question 1

What is the largest category of mandatory spending in the budget?

Answer 1

Healthcare

Healthcare spending is the largest mandatory spending category, followed closely by Social Security.

Question 2

Which category follows healthcare as the largest mandatory spending?

Answer 2

Social Security

Social Security is the second-largest mandatory spending category.

Question 3

What percentage of the budget is allocated to interest payments on the national debt?

Answer 3

8%

Interest payments on the national debt account for 8% of the total budget.

Question 4

What percentage of the budget was discretionary spending in 2019?

Answer 4

38%

Discretionary spending constituted 38% of the budget in 2019.

Question 5

What is the largest component of discretionary spending?

Answer 5

Defense

Defense spending makes up about half of the discretionary spending.

Question 6

List three categories included in discretionary spending.

Answer 6

• National Parks
• Transportation
• Education

Discretionary spending also includes science, space, and agriculture among other categories.

Question 7

What is the main difference between the structures and powers of the Senate and House of Congress?

Answer 7

They are different by design, which directly affects the legislative process.

Question 8

How do chamber-specific rules and procedures affect the legislative process?

Answer 8

They influence the way legislation is introduced, debated, and voted upon.

Question 9

Who is elected by a majority of members to preside over the legislative work in the House of Representatives?

Answer 9

The Speaker of the House.

Question 10

What are some responsibilities of the Speaker of the House?

Answer 10

• Administering the oath of office to members
• Giving members permission to speak on the House floor
• Counting and declaring all votes
• Appointing members to committees
• Sending bills to committees
• Signing bills and resolutions that pass in the House

Question 11

In the line of presidential succession, where does the Speaker of the House rank?

Answer 11

Second, behind the Vice President.

Question 12

True or False: The Speaker of the House has no responsibilities towards their district while serving.

Answer 12

False.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The Speaker of the House has all the duties of other _______.

Answer 13

members of the House.

Question 14

What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Answer 14

The Speaker does not serve on committees or participate in floor debate.

Question 15

Where must all revenue bills originate?

Answer 15

All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

Question 16

What is the responsibility of the Ways and Means Committee in the House?

Answer 16

Raising the revenue required to finance the Federal Government.

Question 17

What types of taxes does the Ways and Means Committee oversee?

Answer 17

• Individual income taxes
• Corporate income taxes
• Excise taxes
• Estate taxes
• Gift taxes
• Miscellaneous taxes

Question 18

Who establishes the rules for debate in the House on a bill?

Answer 18

The Rules Committee.

Question 19

What is the function of the Rules Committee?

Answer 19

To review most bills after they come from the full committee and before they go to the full chamber for consideration.

Question 20

What is a Committee of the Whole?

Answer 20

A way to move legislation through to the House floor for a vote quickly.

Question 21

What is the quorum requirement for the Committee of the Whole?

Answer 21

Only 100 members.

Question 22

What is a discharge petition?

Answer 22

A device by which any member of the House may ask to have a bill brought to the floor after it has been in committee for 30 days.

Question 23

True or False: A discharge petition is frequently used in the House.

Answer 23

False.

Question 24

How are bills typically brought to the floor in the Senate?

Answer 24

By unanimous consent.

Question 25

What tactic can a Senator use to prolong debate on a bill?

Answer 25

Filibuster.

Question 26

What is a motion for cloture?

Answer 26

A procedure to end a debate.

Question 27

What is the purpose of a conference committee?

Answer 27

To reconcile differences in wording of a bill passed by both chambers.

Question 28

How is leadership in committees determined?

Answer 28

By the majority political party.

Question 29

What is pork-barrel legislation?

Answer 29

Funding for a local project in a larger appropriation bill.

Question 30

What is logrolling?

Answer 30

Combining several pieces of legislation into one bill to secure enough votes for passage.

Question 31

What must Congress generate a budget for?

Answer 31

Both mandatory and discretionary spending.

Question 32

What is mandatory spending?

Answer 32

Required by law for entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Question 33

What is discretionary spending?

Answer 33

Approved on an annual basis for defense spending, education, and infrastructure ## Footnote Discretionary spending is subject to annual appropriations and can vary from year to year.

Question 34

What happens to discretionary spending opportunities as entitlement costs grow?

Answer 34

Decrease unless tax revenues increase, or the budget deficit increases ## Footnote Entitlement costs such as Social Security and Medicare can consume a larger portion of the budget.

Question 35

Who is responsible for breaking ties in the Senate?

Answer 35

President of the Senate (Vice President) ## Footnote The Vice President has the constitutional role to cast tie-breaking votes.

Question 36

What are standing committees?

Answer 36

Permanent committees in both chambers that promote expertise in a broad topic ## Footnote Assigned by the Speaker of the House or Majority Leader in the Senate upon request.

Question 37

What is the function of the Rules Committee in the House of Representatives?

Answer 37

Manages the flow of legislation and sets the terms for debate ## Footnote The Rules Committee plays a crucial role in determining how and when bills are debated.

Question 38

What is a rider on a bill?

Answer 38

An additional provision added to a bill, which may or may not have much connection with the subject matter ## Footnote Riders can be used to attach unpopular provisions to popular legislation.

Question 39

What is an omnibus spending bill?

Answer 39

A type of bill that packages many smaller appropriations bills into one larger bill ## Footnote This allows for a single vote in each house of Congress, simplifying the legislative process.

Question 40

Define earmarks in the context of congressional spending.

Answer 40

Small grants to programs and projects in congressional districts ## Footnote Earmarks are often controversial and seen as a way to direct funds to specific local projects.

Question 41

What is pork barrel spending?

Answer 41

Government spending for localized projects secured to direct spending to a representative's district ## Footnote This term is often used pejoratively to describe wasteful government spending.

Question 42

What does logrolling refer to in legislative terms?

Answer 42

The trading of favors or quid pro quo, such as vote trading ## Footnote Logrolling is often used to gain support for legislation by promising votes on other issues.

Question 43

What is the primary source of revenue for the federal government?

Answer 43

Income taxes ## Footnote Income taxes account for the largest share of federal revenue.

Question 44

What was the national debt as of the latest data?

Answer 44

$32 trillion ## Footnote The national debt has increased significantly over the years, especially since the Clinton administration.

Question 45

What are the two types of expenditures in the federal budget?

Answer 45

1. Mandatory Spending 2. Discretionary Spending ## Footnote Mandatory spending includes entitlement programs that are required by law.

Question 46

What percentage of the budget did mandatory spending represent in 2019?

Answer 46

62% ## Footnote This highlights the significant portion of the budget allocated to mandatory spending programs.

Question 47

List three examples of mandatory spending programs.

Answer 47

* Social Security * Medicare * Medicaid ## Footnote These programs are designed to provide financial support to eligible individuals.