chapter 11: Congress

Question 1

The true leader of the senate is the _____, elected by the majority party.

Answer 1

Majority Leader

Question 2

Which of the following committees of the House of Representatives sets the conditions for debate and amendment of most legislation?

Answer 2

Rules

Question 3

When a bill passes the House and the Senate in different versions, the bill is resolved by which of the following types of committees?

Answer 3

Conference

Question 4

The Vice President’s only constitutionally defined job is to serve as ____ of the Senate?

Answer 4

President

Question 5

The franking privilege refers to

Answer 5

Rights of members of congress to send their mail to their constituents at the government’s expense

Question 6

Which of the following about cloture is true?

Answer 6

They are used by senators to end a filibuster and bring a bill to vote

Question 7

Which of the following about the senate is true?

Answer 7

Individual senators can exercise substantial influence over the legislative process

Question 8

In the House of Representatives, a bill goes to the Rules committee ____

Answer 8

After it is amended or rewritten in its full committee

Question 9

This individual keeps close contact with all members of his or her party, counts votes for key legislation, prepares summaries for bills, and acts a communication link within parties

Answer 9

majority/minority whip

Question 10

A major difference between HOR and Senate

Answer 10

There is unlimited debate in Senate and not in HOR

Question 11

Which of the following groups is most underrepresented in Congress?

Answer 11

women

Question 12

____ is a good example of congressional casework

Answer 12

Assistance to a constituent in obtaining a Social Security check

Question 13

A lobbyist for NRA would be most effective when targeting a legislator ____.

Answer 13

Whose voting behavior opposes gun control

Question 14

In HOR, who is second in authority to the speaker

Answer 14

Majority leader

Question 15

The term “pork barrel” refers to legislation specifically designed to

Answer 15

Provide funding for local projects that are intended to benefit constituents

Question 16

____ organize hearings, research legislative options, draft reports on bills, write legislation, and keep tabs on the activities of the executive branch

Answer 16

Committee staffers

Question 17

Each state has ____ senators elected every ____ years/

Answer 17

two;six

Question 18

Which of the following is generally true of gerrymandering of congressional districts?

Answer 18

It creates districts that favor one party over the other

Question 19

Which statement about incumbency is most accurate?

Answer 19

Have a huge advantage in reelection

Question 20

The ____ holds the only legislative office mandated by the Constitution

Answer 20

Speaker of the house

Question 21

The House minority leader is

Answer 21

the principal member of the minority party in the House

Question 22

The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in the

Answer 22

US House of Representatives

Question 23

Most of the real work in Congress goes on in the _________, which dominates congressional policymaking in all its stages

Answer 23

committees

Question 24

Congressional districts boundaries are usually drawn every ten years by the________

Answer 24

state legislatures

Question 25

The Constitutional Convention resulted in what form of legislature?

Answer 25

Bicameral

Question 26

Members of Congress aren’t typical Americans, thus they can’t claim _________ representation - but they may engage in ________ representation

Answer 26

descriptive: substantive

Question 27

A _______ is a group of members of Congress who share some interests and characteristics; their goal is to promote the interests around which they are formed

Answer 27

caucus

Question 28

Of the following, which is the most powerful figure in Congress?

Answer 28

Speaker of the House

Question 29

Charged with the responsibility to grant and set procedural rules, the _______ is almost certainly the most powerful committee in either chamber of Congress

Answer 29

the House Rules Committee

Question 30

_____________ is define as the activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals, particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape

Answer 30

Casework

Question 31

No bill can be passed unless both House and Senate agree on it; each body can thus _____ the policies of the other

Answer 31

veto

Question 32

Which of the following constitutional provisions broadened the power of Congress?

Answer 32

Necessary and Proper Clause

Question 33

Which statement is true of the House of Representatives?

Answer 33

Members are elected every 2 years and apportioned to states based on population

Question 34

The Constitution specifies that members of the House must be at least __ years old and American citizens for __ years

Answer 34

25: 7

Question 35

Why are there currently 435 members in the House of Representatives?

Answer 35

The number is fixed by a statute

Question 36

What best explains the overwhelming advantages incumbents possess in seeking reelection over opposing candidates?

Answer 36

Name recognition, access to media, and franking privilege

Question 37

Which example best demonstrates a legislator acting as a trustee of their constituency?

Answer 37

Legislator considers public opinion, refining it with information and careful thought

Question 38

______ committees exist in both the House and Senate may be temporary or permanent, and usually have a focused responsibility

Answer 38

Select/Special

Question 39

Most of the legislating in Congress takes place in __

Answer 39

standing committees

Question 40

The role Congress plays in ensuring that the executive branch agencies are carrying out their legislated responsibilities is known as __

Answer 40

legislative oversight