Deck 9: Congress: Representation, Organization, and Legislation

Question 1

In Congress, 1992 was known as the year of ______.

A) democracy
B) civil disobedience
C) the woman
D) youthful exuberance

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A bicameral legislature is(was) ______.

A) a result of compromise between the slave states and nonslave states
B) composed of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the House of Commons
C) an example of a check and balance system within Congress
D) designed in such a way as to pass legislation quickly and efficiently

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In contrast to members of the House, senators were meant to be more ______.

A) in touch with their constituency
B) representative of their state legislatures
C) wealthy and powerful elites
D) insulated from the public

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following describes the role of the Congressional Budget Office?

A) It estimates the likely budgetary consequences of funding bureaucratic agencies and programs.
B) It works with all three branches to streamline funding requests.
C) It creates Congress' budget.
D) It makes national policy recommendations, especially economic policies.

Question 5

Members of the House of Representatives are ______.

A) indirectly elected through an electoral college system
B) appointed and assigned by state legislatures
C) directly elected by eligible voters
D) recruited from the majority party in a state

Question 6

Two important ways in which the framers of the Constitution tried to contain the dangers of faction were through ______.

A) the Bill of Rights and liberalism
B) tyranny and regulation
C) federalism and separation of powers
D) confederalism and collaboration

Question 7

The norm of ______ generally allows senators to nominate lower-level federal judges to serve in their states with the expectation that they will be confirmed without significant opposition.

A) congressional oversight
B) senatorial courtesy
C) advice and consent
D) state federalism

Question 8

The act of "standing for" one's constituents in government is defined as ______.

A) delegation
B) representation
C) constituency
D) populism

Question 9

In anticipation of the challenges of factions and their "passions," the framers set up roadblocks in the Senate to prevent the American electorate from ______.

A) falling prey to the tyranny of the majority
B) unfairly controlling the public agenda
C) too quickly voting its wishes into action
D) allowing a minority faction to control the nation

Question 10

What was interesting about the Senate floor on the day known as "snowzilla"?

A) Only men were on the Senate floor.
B) Members of the House were forced to meet in the Senate.
C) The Senate was closed for the first time in a decade.
D) Only women were on the Senate floor.

Question 11

To remove an official from federal office, the House of Representatives votes to ______ and the Senate has the authority to ______, which will then remove the official from office.

A) impeach; convict
B) accuse; censure
C) censure; review
D) convict; impeach

Question 12

The power to impeach is found in ______ of the Constitution.

A) Article I, Section 3
B) Article II, Section 4
C) Article IV, Section 1
D) Article V, Section 2

Question 13

One of the reasons earmarks are popular is ______.

A) members put nation's voters needs as a whole before their districts
B) representatives can use them to claim credit for bringing money home
C) Congress can continually monitors the actions of federal bureaucracy
D) senators can nominate lower-level federal judges with the expectation they will be confirmed

Question 14

Which of the following terms was James Madison's way of referring to the dangers of faction?

A) "tyranny and anarchy"
B) "usurpation and perfidy"
C) "dominance and treachery"
D) "collaboration and duress"

Question 15

Congress funds the activities of bureaucratic agencies through the process of ______.

A) reconciliation
B) appropriation
C) fiscal responsibility
D) omnibus legislation

Question 16

In contrast to members of the House, senators must be ______.

A) older
B) wealthier
C) more educated
D) property holders

Question 17

In 2017, the 115th session of Congress included ______ women senators.

A) 11
B) 16
C) 21
D) 27

Question 18

In 2016, the 114th session of Congress saw ______ women serving as members of Congress.

A) 55
B) 65
C) 75
D) 104

Question 19

The ideas of senatorial ratification of treaties and congressional power to declare war were designed to force the ______ to work together.

A) executive and legislative branches
B) two houses of Congress
C) judicial and legislative branches
D) president and the cabinet

Question 20

When Congress continually monitors the actions of a bureaucracy, it participates in ______ oversight.

A) police patrol
B) fire alarm
C) omnibus
D) legislative

Question 21

When branches of government are allowed a level of oversight over each other, it is best described as ______.

A) separation of powers
B) legislative authority
C) governmental oversight
D) checks and balances

Question 22

The record number of open seats in Congress during the 1992 election paved the way for ______.

A) many newcomers to run for vacant seats
B) redistricting based on partisanship
C) under qualified candidates to win elections
D) record-breaking fundraising for candidates

Question 23

Which of the following set the boundaries for constituency?

A) states' constitutions
B) congressional statutes
C) the constitution
D) several Supreme Court rulings

Question 24

Why do qualified challengers to congressional office often wait for an open seat before running for office?

A) Even the most qualified challenger would have a difficult time beating an incumbent.
B) There are generally fewer opponents during these elections.
C) More voters tend to cast their ballots during these elections.
D) There is more time to debate a variety of topics during these elections.

Question 25

The event that crystallized the commitment of women to run for Congress in 1992 was ______.

A) the failure of the Equal Rights Amendment
B) the rise of the National Organization of Women
C) the growing population of women in the United States
D) the Senate confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas

Question 26

Based on ideas of political scientists Fowler and McClure, political ambition sets apart declared candidates from ______.

A) their constituency
B) political agendas
C) political power
D) unseen candidates

Question 27

When Congress exercises authority to ensure that laws are implemented in the way that Congress intended when it passed them, the process is described as ______.

A) earmark
B) filibuster
C) cloture
D) oversight

Question 28

The end of ______ focused voter's attention away from national security issues onto issues of domestic policy, which assisted in the 1992 elections.

A) the Cold War
B) the Cuban Missile Crisis
C) Operation Desert Storm
D) Operation Iraqi Freedom

Question 29

Which of the following is of utmost importance when a challenger decides to run against an incumbent for an elected position?

A) experience and constituents
B) momentum and money
C) power and resources
D) experience and money

Question 30

Which of the following U.S. senators encouraged young, female congressional hopefuls to "earn your spurs" by starting in local elections?

A) Carol Moseley Braun
B) Dianne Feinstein
C) Patty Murray
D) Barbara Mikulski

Question 31

The agency whose role is to provide information and estimates of the likely budgetary consequences of funding the agencies and programs created by Congress is the ______ Office.

A) General Accounting Oversight
B) Legislative Review
C) Congressional Representation
D) Congressional Budget

Question 32

Many of the rules governing the budgetary process in Congress were set in ______.

A) the Federal Budget Authorization Act of 1997
B) the Federal Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990
C) the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
D) the Budget Control Act of 2011

Question 33

Which of the following presidents have faced successful House resolutions of impeachment?

A) John Quincy Adams and Benjamin Harrison
B) William Henry Harrison and Richard M. Nixon
C) Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton
D) Andrew Jackson and Warren G. Harding

Question 34

Of the 24 women elected to the House for the first time in 1992, how many were Democrats?

A) four
B) 16
C) 20
D) 24

Question 35

Of the five women elected to the Senate in 1992, how many were Democrats?

A) one
B) three
C) four
D) five

Question 36

In comparison to other bills in Congress, reconciliation bills are more ______.

A) complicated
B) thorough
C) debated
D) streamlined

Question 37

Among legislative bodies in the world's democracies, the U.S. Congress is the most active and independent in terms of its ability to make ______ policy.

A) constitutional
B) national
C) foreign
D) state and local

Question 38

If a member of Congress wishes to get a project funded without writing a separate bill, they can attach it to a larger funding bill in the form of an ______.

A) earmark
B) filibuster
C) cloture
D) oversight

Question 39

The Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas were especially controversial due to the allegations of ______.

A) accepting bribes
B) racial discrimination
C) sexual harassment
D) gender discrimination

Question 40

Based on statements from political scientist Candice Nelson, early money allows a candidate to ______.

A) hire a campaign manager
B) participate in multiple debates
C) establish credibility
D) buy media time

Question 41

The formal structure of Congress mainly revolves around ______.

A) the role of political parties
B) incumbents winning reelections
C) political agendas
D) political power

Question 42

Which of the following positions was directly described in the Constitution?

A) vice president
B) majority whip
C) minority party leader
D) Speaker of the House

Question 43

Which of the following committees contain members from both the House and Senate?

A) standing
B) joint
C) conference
D) special

Question 44

Which of the following committees is a temporary joint committee that resolves difference between the House and Senate versions of a bill?

A) standing
B) select
C) conference
D) special

Question 45

Committee chairs have considerable influence, especially in setting ______.

A) legislative schedules
B) congressional rules
C) committee membership
D) the committee's agenda

Question 46

As their congressional careers develop, members of Congress gain ______.

A) constituency
B) power and influence
C) political ideals
D) legislative responsibility

Question 47

Which of the following has become a prerequisite when selecting a Speaker of the House?

A) the ability to connect with members of the opposing party
B) the ability to raise money for other members in one's party
C) the ability to exhibit leadership during times of congressional deadlock
D) the ability to persuade members of one's party to vote in line with the party

Question 48

For a member of Congress to be elected Speaker of the House, one would generally need ______.

A) support from both Republicans and Democrats
B) a record of successful service in the House
C) considerable monetary donations from PACs
D) political power and stamina

Question 49

Which of the following committees continue across Congresses and have member that serves multiple terms to develop expertise and bring benefits to their districts and state?

A) standing
B) joint
C) conference
D) special

Question 50

Standing committees are so-named because ______.

A) they continue across Congresses
B) members tend to serve on them for a single term
C) they each have authority over a wide range of policy areas
D) they require members to stand when they vote on the passage of legislation

Question 51

The assistant to the Speaker of the House is the ______.

A) House Minority Leader
B) Majority Party Whip
C) House Majority Leader
D) Minority Party Whip

Question 52

Which of the following would be the most effective way for newcomers to Congress to make their mark on public policy?

A) vote along the lines of their political party
B) keep their friends close and their enemies closer
C) learn the complicated rules and procedures of Congress
D) pay the necessary dues and fees required of elected officials

Question 53

Which of the following is true about committees and committee leadership?

A) A committee chair is elected by committee members.
B) The committee system is designed to increase the party leader's power.
C) Committees and subcommittees do most of the work in Congress.
D) The Senate has more committees than the House.

Question 54

How do congressional party leaders set up goals, choose leaders, assign members to committees, and try to present a unified voice to the American public?

A) They work through party caucuses and party conferences.
B) They work toward formal leadership positions.
C) They form powerful constituency groups.
D) They work toward enacting legislature for special interests.

Question 55

A party whip can best be described as ______.

A) the only House leadership position described in the Constitution
B) the congressional member that serves directly under the Speaker
C) a member of the House or Senate whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline
D) an individual who keeps track of agencies created and funded by Congress

Question 56

______ has challenged the role of norms in constraining member behavior in recent years.

A) The increasing use of inside lobbying efforts
B) The growing impact of outside political contributions
C) Animosity between members of the two political parties
D) A sizable increase in the number of political movements

Question 57

Who determines which committee(s) a congressional member will sit on?

A) House Speaker
B) vice president
C) party leaders
D) House whips

Question 58

A ______ committee is a temporary ______ committee that resolves differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

A) conference; select
B) conference; joint
C) joint; select
D) standing; conference

Question 59

The committee system was designed to ______.

A) provide bipartisan support for proposed budget bills
B) recruit and maintain new party members
C) divide the workload in both the House and Senate
D) provide regulatory oversight between branches

Question 60

Political ambition is best described as ______.

A) the commitment necessary to overcome the long odds of a challenger facing an incumbent
B) the ability to call hearings in response to visible crises of bureaucracy
C) having less structural influence in the House than the Speaker
D) the desire to become appointed committee chair on any standing committee in Congress

Question 61

When House and Senate versions of a bill are amended and sent back and forth between the two chambers until the process has produced a single text, it is known as ______.

A) ping-ponging
B) mutual consideration
C) collective bargaining
D) bilateral agreement

Question 62

Within the House, how can a bill be freed from an unfriendly committee to the House floor for a vote?

A) public forum
B) discharge petition
C) roll-call vote
D) cloture

Question 63

Which of the following elected officials is responsible for scheduling and setting the rules for debates on the House floor?

A) Speaker of the House in conjunction with the Rules Committee
B) house majority leader in conjunction with the Rules Committee
C) house minority leader in conjunction with the Congressional Budget Office
D) any member of Congress

Question 64

When a House bill and a Senate bill are not identical, what happens?

A) The bill is dead.
B) Leaders in both chambers will negotiate.
C) A conference committee will be created to iron out the differences between the two versions of the bill.
D) One chamber must accept the other chamber's version of the bill.

Question 65

Which of the following occurs during a roll-call vote?

A) Members of the House vote on the bill presented on the floor.
B) Members of Congress indicate "yea", "nay," or "present" regarding the bill on the floor.
C) Members of the Senate determine which bills from the House they will take up for the session.
D) Members of Congress indicate whether they will run for re-election or defer their seat.

Question 66

In order for Congress to avoid a pocket veto, it may opt to ______.

A) request the president return the bill for further debate
B) ask for a 2/3 vote to signal its intent to override the veto
C) conduct a quorum call to require all voting members to return
D) leave one or more members behind while everyone else goes home

Question 67

Bills that have successfully passed out of committee will then move on to ______.

A) a joint committee for debate before heading to the Speaker's desk
B) the Congressional Budget Office for review
C) the president's desk for signature or veto
D) consideration on the floors of the House and Senate

Question 68

If a president chooses not to sign or veto a piece of legislation, the president's third option is to ______.

A) return the bill unsigned
B) request further revision
C) pocket veto the legislation
D) ask for another floor vote

Question 69

For most noncontroversial issues, a simple ______ request may be used in the Senate.

A) plurality vote
B) majority vote
C) unanimous consent
D) floor debate

Question 70

If a senator wishes to delay a vote on a piece of legislation by continuously talking/debating the issues, he/she has initiated a ______.

A) cloture
B) filibuster
C) floor debate
D) consent request

Question 71

The process of ______ describes the assignment of a bill to more than one committee, especially if the bill is large and complex.

A) multiple referral
B) dual legislation
C) interactive consideration
D) collective agency

Question 72

What must occur in order to override a presidential veto?

A) The bill must be sent back to a joint committee and reworked.
B) Both chambers must reach a 2/3 majority vote.
C) Both chambers will attempt to push through favorable legislation to persuade the president to reconsider the vetoed bill.
D) Both chambers must reach a unanimous vote to override the veto.

Question 73

Which of the following has no counterpart in the Senate?

A) Congressional Budget Office
B) Congressional Oversight Committee
C) house majority leader
D) House Rules Committee

Question 74

Which of the following elected officials is allowed to introduce a bill into Congress?

A) Speaker of the House
B) house majority leader
C) house minority leader
D) any member of Congress

Question 75

Which of the following committees are usually called upon to investigate an issue in response to a crisis or scandal?

A) standing
B) joint
C) conference
D) special

Question 76

Which of the following congressional members in second in the line of succession, should the president and vice president become unable to serve in their positions?

A) minority whip
B) majority whip
C) minority party leader
D) Speaker of the House

Question 77

A cloture in the Senate can be used for which purpose?

A) It can be used to push a bill through quickly, without debate.
B) It can be used to override a presidential veto.
C) It can be used to stop a filibuster.
D) It can be used to rescue a bill from a hostile committee.

Question 78

Once the differences between House and Senate versions of a bill are resolved, the bill is then sent for ______.

A) final action in the House and Senate
B) presidential signature or veto
C) further committee consideration
D) submission to subcommittees for review

Question 79

Before a committee reports a bill to the floor for a vote, committee members will often make changes to a bill during a process known as ______.

A) a markup session
B) a strikeout session
C) a filibuster session
D) an amendment session

Question 80

In order to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill, a bill is referred to ______.

A) the whole floor of both houses
B) subcommittees in both houses
C) a joint conference committee
D) the president for a decision