Branches of Government

Question 1

An expression of opinion either in the House or Senate to settle procedural matters in either body

Answer 1

Simple resolution

Question 2

An expression of opinion without the force of law that requires the approval of both the House and the Senate, but not the President

Answer 2

Concurrent resolution

Question 3

A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of Congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president

Answer 3

Joint resolution

Question 4

A device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had the bill for 30 days, may petition to have it brought to the floor

Answer 4

Discharge petition

Question 5

An order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate; forbids a bill from being amended on the floor

Answer 5

Restrictive/closed rule

Question 6

An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor

Answer 6

Open rule

Question 7

The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress

Answer 7

Quorum

Question 8

Amendments on matters unrelated to a bill that are added to an important bill so that they will “ride” to passage through the Congress

Answer 8

Riders

Question 9

A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate

Answer 9

Cloture rule

Question 10

A procedure to keep the Senate going during a filibuster in which the disputed bill is shelved temporarily so that the Senate can get on with other business

Answer 10

Double tracking

Question 11

A congressional voting procedure in which members shout “yea” in approval or “nay” in disapproval, permitting members to vote quickly or anonymously on bills

Answer 11

Voice vote

Question 12

A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted

Answer 12

Division vote

Question 13

A congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering “yea” or “nay” to their names

Answer 13

Roll-call vote

Question 14

A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between two tellers, the “yeas” first and the “nays” second

Answer 14

Teller vote

Question 15

Literally, “I forbid”: it refers to the power of a president to disapprove a bill; it may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress

Answer 15

Veto

Question 16

One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

Answer 16

Divided government

Question 17

The same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress

Answer 17

Unified government

Question 18

“Hidden” congressional provisions that direct the federal government to fund specific projects or that exempt specific persons or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees

Answer 18

Earmarks

Question 19

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return

Answer 19

Pork-barrel legislation

Question 20

The ability of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage

Answer 20

Franking privilege

Question 21

A message from the president to Congress stating that he will not sign a bill it has passed. Must be produced within 10 days of the bill’s passage

Answer 21

Veto message

Question 22

A bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourns

Answer 22

Pocket veto

Question 23

An executive’s ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature

Answer 23

Line-item veto

Question 24

A presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

Answer 24

Signing statement

Question 25

A president’s subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff

Answer 25

Pyramid structure

Question 26

Several of the president’s assistants report directly to him

Answer 26

Circular structure

Question 27

Several subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters

Answer 27

Ad hoc structure

Question 28

The heads of the 15 executive branch departments of the federal government

Answer 28

Cabinet

Question 29

The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power.

Answer 29

Legislative veto

Question 30

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

Answer 30

Impeachment

Question 31

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Answer 31

Judicial review

Question 32

The view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the Constitution

Answer 32

Judicial restraint approach

Question 33

The view that judges should discern the general principles underlying laws or the Constitution and apply them to modern circumstances

Answer 33

Activist approach

Question 34

A federal court authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office during good behavior and prevents their salaries from being reduced. They are the Supreme Court (created by the Constitution) and appellate and district courts created by Congress

Answer 34

Constitutional court

Question 35

The lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here

Answer 35

District courts

Question 36

Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials

Answer 36

Courts of appeals

Question 37

Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes whose judges do not enjoy the protections of Article III of the Constitution

Answer 37

Legislative courts

Question 38

An examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge

Answer 38

Litmus test