chapter 13

Question 1

In what respects is Congress the first branch of american national government? A. by virtue of the extensive and important powers bestowed on it by Article 1 of the constitution. B. by virtue of powers bestowed on it by Article 2 of the constitution. C. because congress was created first, the executive branch was created second and the judicial branch was third D. to the framers of the constitution the executive branch was the first branch

Answer 1

A. by virtue of the extensive and important powers bestowed on it by Article 1 of the constitution.

Question 2

To the framers of the constitution, the bicameral Congress was the first Branch. Bicmeral means? A. One chamber B. Two Chamber C. Democratic Congress D. Republican Congress

Answer 2

B. Two Chamber

Question 3

The framers of Constitution expected Congress to wield most of the national governments power including? A. The power of the purse, making taxation and spending decisions B. The authority to declare war C. Sustaining Federalism and maintaining the separation of powers D. All of the above

Answer 3

D. All of the above

Question 4

Guaranteeing two senators to each state without regard to state population? A. Senatorial Privelege B. Constitutionalism C. Bicameral Congress D. Federalism

Answer 4

D. Federalism

Question 5

The powers of Congress are found in ? A. Article 1, Section 8 of the constitution B. Article 1, section 3 of the bill of rights C. The federalist papers D. Article 4 of the constitution

Answer 5

A. Article 1, Section 8 of the constitution

Question 6

Which of the following is not a power of Congress? A. To lay and collect taxes B. To declare war C. To raises and support an army/ navy and make Does for their governance D. To declare laws unconstitutional

Answer 6

D. To declare laws unconstitutional

Question 7

A vote in which a majority of Democratic legislators opposed a majority of Republican legislators? A. Filibuster B. Party polarization C. Congressional gridlock D. Party poopers

Answer 7

B. Party polarization

Question 8

Even though Congress is viewed as the broken branch, what pcentage of incumbents who seek reelection win it? A. More than 60% B. more than 70% C. More than 80% D. More than 90%

Answer 8

D. More than 90%

Question 9

A congress differs from a parliament in two basic ways: how one becomes a member and? A. What one does as a member B. Congress is the same as Parliament C. Congress picks the President D. None of the above

Question 10

To run for a seat in a parliament like Great Britains you first need? A. A political party to put your name on a ballot B. To enter a primary election C. Popular votes from the district you live in D. The Queens blessing

Answer 10

A. A political party to put your name on a ballot

Question 11

To become a candidate for repentative or senator in Congress you first need? A. A political party to put your name on a ballot B. To enter a primary election C. Votes from the district you live in D. The Presidents permission

Answer 11

B. To enter a primary election

Question 12

In a parliament the head of the executive branch is? A. The president B. The queen C. The prime minister D. Parliamentary Prince

Answer 12

C. The prime minister

Question 13

In a parliament the prime minister is elected by? A. Popular vote B. The majority party from among it’s members C. Electoral college D. The queen appoints all prime ministers

Answer 13

B. The majority party from among it’s members

Question 14

The head of the executive branch of government is selected by? A. Congress B. Voters C. Parliament D. Judicial branch

Answer 14

B. Voters

Question 15

The principal daily work of a parliament is? A. Debate B. Lawmaking C. Legislating D. Arguing.

Answer 15

A. Debate

Question 16

The principal work of a Congress is? A. Representation And action B. Planning C. Debate D. Attending meetings

Answer 16

A. Representation And action

Question 17

Each member of Congress can mail new letters Nd certain other documents to constituents for free using the ? A. Franking privilege B. US Congress mail C. UPS D. constituents are taxed for their correspondsence

Answer 17

A. Franking privilege

Question 18

Since each member of Congress is more interested in his or her own views and those of his or her voters than with the programs proposed by the president. Congress would be considered a ? A. Centralized institution B. Decentralized institution C. Congressional self preservationist D. None of the above

Answer 18

B. Decentralized institution

Question 19

Congress is constitutionally independent of the president , and individual members Are free to vote as they wish. They are also free to become involved in details of lawmaking, budget making and the administration of laws. This is done through? A. The house B. The senate C. Committees and subcommittees D. Parliament.

Answer 19

C. Committees and subcommittees

Question 20

A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts? A. A dual legislature B. A quasi representative congress C. A bicameral legislature D. All of the above

Answer 20

C. A bicameral legislature

Question 21

In 1913 the seventeenth amendment was approved by the necessary 3/4 of the states, whereby the Senate agreed to a constitutional amendment that required? A. The popular election of its members B. The Senators would be chosen by state legislatures C. Representatives would choose senators D. The prescient would select senators

Answer 21

A. The popular election of its members

Question 22

An attempt to defeat a bill in the senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate fromtaki g action on the bill? A. Bicameral B. Filibuster C. Porkbarrel D. Party polarization

Answer 22

B. Filibuster

Question 23

This rule provided that debate could be cut off if 2/3 of the senators present and voting agreed to a cloture motion ( it has since been revised to 60 senators to cut off debate)? A. Rule 48 B. Rule 22 C. 2/3 rule D. Rule 60.

Answer 23

B. Rule 22

Question 24

Political districts In Which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win In close elections, typically by less than 55 percent of the vote? A. Tight races B. Marginal districts C. Safe districts D. Congressional districts

Answer 24

B. Marginal districts

Question 25

Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55 percent or more? A. Congressional districts B. Marginal districts C. Safe districts D. Senatorial districts

Answer 25

C. Safe districts

Question 26

A new congress convenes? A. Every year B. Every two years C. Every Four years D. Every 6 years

Answer 26

B. Every two years

Question 27

An alliance between Republican and conservative Democrats? A. Liberal rebellion B. Conservative alliance C. A coup d’état D. Conservatory

Answer 27

B. Conservative alliance

Question 28

The most important organizatonal feature of congress is A. Political parties B. Caucuses C. Legislative Committees D. None of the above.

Answer 28

C. Legislative Committees

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a type of legislative committee? A. Party committee B. Standing Committees C. Select committees D. Joint committees

Answer 29

A. Party Committees

Question 30

Which of the following is a kind of joint committee made up of representative and senators appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and house version of a bill before final passage? A. Appropriations Committee B. Select Committees C. Conference Committee D. Intelligence Committee

Answer 30

C. Conference Committee

Question 31

Which of the following is permanent and the most important committee because they are the only committee that can propose legislation by reporting a bill out to the full House or Senate? A. Conference Committee B. Select Committee C. Joint Committee D. Standing Committee

Answer 31

D. Standing Committee

Question 32

Standing Committees of the Senate include A. Major committeess B. Minor Committees C. Select Committees D. All of the above

Answer 32

D. All of the above

Question 33

Standing Committees in the House include A. Executive Committess B. Major committees C. Nonmajor committess D. Select Committees E. All of the Above

Answer 33

E. All of the above.

Question 34

Which of the following resolutionsmust be signed by Congress but do not have to be signed by the president? A. simple resolution B. concurrent resolution C. joint resolution D both A & B

Answer 34

D. Both A & B

Question 35

Who can introduce a bill so that it becomes a law? A. The president B. Any member of Congress C. Staff Agencies working for congress D. A supreme court judge

Answer 35

B. Any member of congress

Question 36

Appropriation bills (bills that direct the spending of money) originate with A. The House B. The Senate C. The President D. Ethics Committee

Answer 36

A. The House

Question 37

The Constitution requires that all bills for raising revenues originate with the A. House or Representatives B. Senate C. President D. Ways and Means Committee D. Ethics Committee

Answer 37

A. House of Representatives

Question 38

The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress A.. tow thirds B. three fifths C. a quorum D. a majority

Answer 38

C. a quorum

Question 39

How does bill become a law?

Answer 39

• The bill introduced by any member of congress
• The bill is referred to a committee for consideration by the Speaker of the House or the Senate’s presiding officer (most bills die here, in committee)
• The bill can go to a floor debate where it is discussed by The Committee of the Whole - here they will debate, amend, and decide the final shape of the bill.
• Bill is voted on by both houses; if there are any major between the House and Senate on the bill they must be settled in a conference committee
• The bill goes to the President for his signature.

Question 41

President Obama is a member of the Democratic party. If during his presidency the house and/or the senate were controlled by the Republican party what would this be called? A. unified government B. franking priviledges C. earmarks D. divided governement

Answer 41

D. Divided government

Question 42

Which is not a method of voting used by congress to pass a bill? A. voice vote B. electoral vote C. division vote D. roll call vote E. teller vote

Answer 42

B. Electoral vote

Question 43

LIst 4 major differences between the House and the Senate.

Answer 43

• House members have just one major committee assignment and thus tend to be policy specialists; Senate have two or more major committee assignments and thus tend to be party generalists
• House Speaker referral of bills to committee is hard to challenge; Senate referral decision is easy to challenge
• House: Scheduling and rules are controlled by the majority party; Senate: Scheduling and rules generally agreed to by majority and minority leaders
• House; Debates are limited to one hour usually; Senate: Unlimited debate unless shortened by unanimous consent or by invoking closure.