Key Legislation

Question 1

Limits political activities of civil service employees

Answer 1

Hatch Act 1939

Question 2

Bans discrimination in public places on basis of race, color, national origin, or religion

Answer 2

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Question 3

Suspended literacy tests
Empowered federal officials to register voters
Empowered federal officials to ensure that citizens could vote
Empowered federal officials to count ballots

Answer 3

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Question 4

Bans age discrimination for jobs unless age is related to job performance

Answer 4

Age Discrimination in Employment Act 1967

Question 5

Est. emissions standards for cars and factories

Answer 5

Clean Air Act of 1960-1990

Question 6

Created FEC
Required disclosure of contributions of expenditures
Provided limitations on contributions and Pres. Election expenditures
Provided subsidies for presidential candidates

Answer 6

Federal Election Campaign Acts 1971-1974

Question 7

Prohibited gender discrimination in federally subsidized education programs

Answer 7

Title IX of Education Act 1972

Question 8

President could send troops overseas to an area where hostilities were imminent if

He notified congress within 48 hours
He withdrew troops within 60-90 days
He consulted with Congress if troops were engaged in combat

Answer 8

War Powers Act 1973

Question 9

Allows public access to non classified federal documents

Answer 9

Freedom of Information Act 1974

Question 10

established congressional budget committees

Extended Budget process by 3 months

Answer 10

Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974

Question 11

Set gradual budget reduction targets to lead to a balanced budget.
Across-the-board budget cuts to kick in if targets not met

Answer 11

Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Bill 1985

Question 12

Bans job discrimination against disabled if “reasonable accommodations” can be made

Answer 12

Americans with Disabilities Act 1990

Question 13

Requires states to allow people to register to vote when applying for driver’s licenses application or completing license renewal forms

Answer 13

National Voter Registration Bill 1993

Question 14

Restored compelling purpose guideline for courts to use when states restrict religious liberty. Struck down by Supreme Court in Boerne v. Flores

Answer 14

Religious Freedom Restoration Act 1993

Question 15

Requires CBO to analyze impact of unfounded mandates on states
Requires separate congressional vote on bills that impose unfunded mandates

Answer 15

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

Question 16

Ended federal entitlement status of welfare
Fed. Gov. Gave block grants to states to administer welfare

• work in 2 years
• cannot receive benefits for more than 5 years

Answer 16

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (Welfare Reform Act of 1996)

Question 17

Prohibited circulation of “indecent” material on Internet to minors. Struck down by SCOTUS

Answer 17

Communications Decency Act (CDA) 1997

Question 18

States must adopt education accountability standards
States must annually test students
Sanctions against schools that fail to meet adequate yearly process

Answer 18

No child left behind Act 2001

Question 19

Strengthens the fed gov.’S power to conduct surveillance, perform searches, and detain individuals in order to combat terrorism

Answer 19

USA Patriot Act 2001

Question 20

Raised hard money limits to 2000 bucks

Banned soft money contributions to national political parties

Answer 20

McCain-Feingold Bill (Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002)

Question 21

Required all Americans to purchase health insurance
Eliminate lifetime caps
Patients with pre-existing conditions could not be denied coverage or have to pay higher premiums
Grants were provided to states that expanded Medicaid

Answer 21

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) 2010