Deck 6: Congress

Question 1

The process of gerrymandering refers to _________________.

A) illegally tampering with votes
B) increasing the size of a congressional district
C) the concept of "one man, one vote"
D) the drawing of congressional district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group
E) reducing the size of the House of Representatives

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The average Congressional district includes approximately 650,000 people. With a population of roughly 570,000, Wyoming is proportionately __________ in Congress.

A) overrepresented
B) equal to that of California
C) underrepresented
D) reapportioned every five years
E) represented

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The "father of the U.S. Constitution," James Madison, referred to Congress as ________________.

A) the first branch of government
B) the most dangerous branch of government
C) a corrupt and evil force
D) subordinate to the judicial and executive branches of government
E) ineffective and self-serving

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In its original language, the U.S. Constitution stated in Article I that the number of members in the U.S. House of Representatives should not exceed one for every __________ citizens.

A) 100
B) 10,000
C) 30,000
D) 100,000
E) 1,000,000

Question 5

Currently the population of the average congressional district is ________________.

A) less than 10,000
B) about 50,000
C) roughly 136,000
D) approximately 650,000
E) more than 1 million

Question 6

In the U.S. House of Representatives, the number of seats for each state is based upon ____________________.

A) political party strength
B) appointment by the governor
C) equal representation from each state
D) population of the state
E) amount of funding allotted by the previous Congress

Question 7

The ultimate authority for enacting new laws lies with _______________.

A) Congress
B) the president
C) the Supreme Court
D) state governments
E) state courts

Question 8

Since 1913, _________________________.

A) the number of seats in the House is set at 435
B) members of the House are elected by state legislatures
C) eligibility for membership in the House requires nomination by a political party
D) members of the House must be "natural born" citizens
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 9

Our legislative branch consists of two chambers: The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. This arrangement is referred to as _____________________.

A) congressional redistricting
B) congressional reapportionment
C) the system of checks and balances
D) pro tempore
E) a bicameral legislature

Question 10

The U.S. bicameral legislative system ______________________.

A) ​allowed for compromise between factions at the Constitutional Convention
B) ​makes passage of laws more difficult than in a unicameral system
C) ​divides the legislative power nearly equally between the two chambers
D) ​allows for a system of checks and balances within the legislative branch
E) ​All of these choices are correct.

Question 11

The process of allocating the appropriate amount of seats in the House to the states is known as ____________.

A) gerrymandering
B) stabilizing
C) distribution
D) reapportionment
E) reassessment

Question 12

In which of the following ways would the constitutional design of the House of Representatives​ make it reflective of popular sentiment?

A) ​two-year terms of office
B) ​representatives directly elected by the people
C) ​representation proportional to each state's population
D) All of these choices are correct.
E) None of these choices are correct.

Question 13

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve _______________.

A) terms of two years
B) terms of four years
C) terms of six years
D) lifetime appointments
E) staggered terms

Question 14

The idea that the House of Representatives directly connects voter sentiment with popular representation, was expressed in _________________.

A) Federalist No. 15
B) Federalist No. 46
C) Federalist No. 51
D) Federalist No. 70
E) Federalist No. 78

Question 15

The first Congress in North America was _____________.

A) ​the House of Burgesses
B) ​the Albany Congress
C) ​the Charleston Congress
D) ​the First Continental Congress
E) ​the Second Continental Congress

Question 16

How is membership from each state in the U.S. Senate determined?

A) by the population of the individual state
B) by equal representation from each state
C) by the results of the U.S. Census every 10 years
D) by the courts
E) by each session of the senate as members determine the method to be used

Question 17

Compared to most other countries that also have two chambers in the legislative body, one significant characteristic of the U.S. Congress is that ________________________.

A) the two legislative houses are about equal in power
B) its members are better paid
C) the U.S. Congress may remove the president from office
D) it works at a rapid pace in enacting important legislation
E) it has total control over the executive branch

Question 18

According to James Madison, which institution would have "an immediate dependence on, and an intimate sympathy with, the people"?​

A) ​The executive (president)
B) ​Congress
C) ​the senate only
D) ​the House only
E) ​the Supreme Court

Question 19

Each state is guaranteed a minimum of how many seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, regardless of population?

A) one
B) two
C) three
D) five
E) ten

Question 20

What affect on the process of reapportionment did the Supreme​ Court rulings in the 1960's have?

A) ​required more seats to be allocated to the southern states
B) ​required each state to be equally represented in the House
C) established the "one person, one vote" principle for congressional districts
D) ​required each district cover the same size geographic area
E) ​required the use of gerrymandering in determining district boundaries

Question 21

The U.S. Senate was created as a slower, more deliberative body in which legislation is forced to proceed at a more thoughtful pace. What is a primary reason for this design?

A) to prevent the U.S. House of Representatives from originating any bills
B) to protect against radical shifts in government that result from swift changes in popular opinion
C) to protect legislation from a presidential veto
D) to make sure that the legislation is enforceable
E) the arrangement was not by design, but evolved over time

Question 22

Which of the following is not considered to be a normal task of a member of the modern Congress?

A) running for reelection
B) serving constituents
C) working on legislation
D) traveling internationally to develop and negotiate treaties
E) providing oversight of federal agencies

Question 23

Permanent committees existing in both the House and senate that deal with constant, recurring issues are called __________ committees.

A) standing
B) select
C) conference
D) compromise
E) joint

Question 24

Both chambers of Congress, and both majority and minority parties in the chambers, choose a member who has the responsibility to keep track of how party members are planning to vote on upcoming legislation and to work with party members to keep the party in unison. This party leadership position is called the ________________.

A) sergeant at arms
B) committee chair
C) whip
D) president pro tempore
E) clerk

Question 25

What is the minimum age for becoming a U.S. Senator?

A) no age limit
B) 18 years old
C) 25 years old
D) 30 years old
E) 40 years old

Question 26

Article I of the U.S. Constitution sets a minimum age of __________ for anyone serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

A) 16
B) 18
C) 25
D) 35
E) 50

Question 27

How is the number of U.S. Senators from each state determined?

A) The president appoints the number of senators every four years.
B) Article I requires that there be two senators from each state.
C) The number is based on the population of the state.
D) The number is determined by the state's legislature.
E) The number is determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Question 28

The U. S. Senate __________________.

A) represents the states equally
B) is designed to be a slower body than the House
C) is designed as a protection against tyranny by the majority
D) represents the states equally, is designed to be a slower body than the House, and is designed as a protection against tyranny by the majority
E) None of these choices is correct.

Question 29

The Speaker of the House is selected by __________________________.

A) ​appointments by the president, with confirmation by Congress
B) ​the results of a nationwide election
C) ​preferences of the state legislatures
D) ​laws that dictate who will be in the leadership position
E) ​the elected members of the House

Question 30

The committee system in Congress allows for all of the following, except​ _________________.

A) ​specialized knowledge among members
B) ​a division of labor within the chambers
C) ​a deference given by members to their colleagues in a committee
D) ​a unanimous vote on legislation
E) ​a need to protect one's own authority in a committee

Question 31

The presiding officer in the U.S. Senate is _____________________.

A) the majority whip of the senate
B) the president pro tempore of the senate
C) the vice president of the United States.
D) the clerk of the senate.
E) the secretary of state.

Question 32

Which of the following best describes why passing new laws through Congress is difficult?

A) the threat of a presidential veto
B) the power exercised by the Speaker of the House
C) the power exercised by the president pro tempore of the senate
D) the fact that Congress has a tradition of slowness in action
E) cooperation between the House and senate is necessary to pass legislation

Question 33

Committees in Congress _____________________.

A) hold hearings and conduct investigations
B) offer modifications and additions to bills
C) review the operation of federal agencies
D) hold hearings and conduct investigations, offer modifications and additions to bills, and review the operation of federal agencies
E) None of these choices is correct.

Question 34

Which of the following is not a duty or responsibility of the speaker of the House?

A) ​appointing committee chairs
B) ​acting as arbiter and interpreter of the House rules
C) ​recognizing members who speak in the House
D) ​assigning bills to committee for consideration
E) ​censuring House members for disciplinary reasons

Question 35

The leader of the U.S. House of Representatives is the _______________.

A) speaker of the House
B) majority leader of the House
C) majority whip
D) sergeant at arms
E) vice president of the United States

Question 36

Constitutional qualifications for membership in the House of Representatives include ____________.

A) be at least 21 years of age
B) be a U.S. citizen for at least seven years
C) be a resident of the district they represent
D) never have been convicted of a felony
E) be a U. S. citizen for at least ten years

Question 37

A temporary committee within either chamber of Congress that is established to investigate a particular issue of concern and report back to the full chamber is called a __________ committee.

A) conference
B) standing
C) joint
D) presidential
E) select

Question 38

Prior to 1913, how were U.S. senators chosen?

A) They were appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
B) They were appointed by the state governors.
C) They were chosen by the state legislatures.
D) They were chosen by fellow senators.
E) They were chosen in a nationwide election.

Question 39

U. S. Senators ___________________.

A) initially were appointed by George Washington
B) must have served in government before election to the senate
C) must have served in the military
D) initially were appointed by George Washington, must have served in government before election to the senate, and must have served in the military
E) None of these choices is correct.

Question 40

What is the length of a term for a U.S. Senator?

A) two years
B) four years
C) six years
D) ten years
E) lifetime appointment

Question 41

If the president vetoes a bill passed by Congress, then Congress may, in turn, check presidential power by overriding the veto. What is the threshold that Congress needs to be successful with the override?

A) a simple majority of either chamber
B) a simple majority of both chambers
C) a two-thirds majority in both chambers
D) a two-thirds majority in only one chamber
E) a three-fourths majority in both chambers

Question 42

Which of the following individuals would be able to introduce a bill in the House of Representatives?

A) ​a member of the House
B) ​the president
C) ​a lobbyist
D) ​a member of the senate
E) ​the chief justice of the U.S.

Question 43

The president may refuse to act upon or sign a bill for which he or she is opposed. If Congress passes a bill and sends it to the president within 10 days of the end of a congressional session and the president does not act on the bill, then the bill does not become law. This procedure is known as _________________.

A) the pocket veto
B) a presidential override
C) a filibuster
D) cloture
E) presidential oversight

Question 44

Of the 10,000 or so bills introduced annually in Congress, __________ eventually become law.

A) less than 1 percent
B) 5 to 10 percent
C) 25 to 30 percent
D) 50 to 55 percent
E) over 75 percent

Question 45

When the U.S. Senate enters into endless debate as a procedural tactic to block a vote on the senate floor, other senators may call for a(n) __________ vote, which immediately ends debate and forces a vote on the issue.

A) filibuster
B) cloture
C) closed rule
D) open rule
E) censure

Question 46

The Congressional function in which Congress monitors federal agency performance and holds hearings to inquire about agency policies and decisions is ________________.

A) confirmation of appointees
B) ratification of treaties
C) impeachment
D) oversight
E) casework

Question 47

The power that requires a "yes" vote by a simple majority of the senate is _______________.

A) confirmation of appointees
B) ratification of treaties
C) impeachment
D) oversight
E) casework

Question 48

The formal process by which the House brings charges against federal officials is ______________.

A) confirmation of appointees
B) ratification of treaties
C) impeachment
D) oversight
E) casework

Question 49

The U.S. Senate plays a pivotal role in the selection of cabinet officers and federal judges. What is this role?

A) The senate recommends all appointees to the president.
B) Each senator must be consulted by the president during the confirmation process.
C) The president is required to appoint any candidate recommended by the senate.
D) The president chooses the appointee but the senate must confirm that appointment before the candidate assumes the office.
E) The senate recommends the nominee and the president confirms the appointment.

Question 50

Staffing resources for Congress include which of the following?​

A) ​congressional personal staff
B) ​congressional committee staff
C) ​congressional agencies
D) congressional personal staff, ​congressional committee staff and ​congressional agencies
E) ​only congressional personal staff and ​congressional committee staff

Question 51

The U.S. Senate attempt to block a bill from passage by refusing to end discussion is known as a(n) _________.v

A) cloture
B) open rule
C) filibuster
D) tabling
E) flanking

Question 52

Congressional agencies such as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) are designed to _______________.

A) recommend legislation to the leaders of Congress
B) critique Congress
C) provide objective information for use in formulating policy
D) report to the president on the actions of Congress
E) reveal criminal activity on the part of members of Congress

Question 53

The kind of Congressional committees that consist of members of both the House and senate are ________ committees.

A) standing
B) ad hoc
C) coordinating
D) joint
E) select

Question 54

The power that requires the consent by two-thirds vote of the senate is _______________.

A) confirmation of appointees
B) ratification of treaties
C) impeachment
D) oversight
E) casework

Question 55

In the two-chamber Congress, both chambers vote individually on bills, and often the votes of the two chambers disagree. To reach consensus, the two chambers create which type of committee?

A) conference committee
B) standing committee
C) joint committee
D) select committee
E) ad hoc committee

Question 56

As a bill comes to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote, it passes through the Rules Committee. A bill that is presented to the floor with a closed rule means ________________________________.

A) that House members may vote only once on the bill
B) that only members of the majority party may vote on the bill
C) that House members are severely limited in their ability to amend the bill
D) that House members may offer amendments to the bill
E) that the president cannot veto the bill

Question 57

A U.S. House of Representatives member may occasionally vote a certain way on one bill in exchange for a favorable vote on another bill. This process as known as ________________.

A) logrolling
B) cloture
C) gerrymandering
D) lobbying
E) overriding a veto

Question 58

Which of the following is not a role of the president in the process of enacting a bill into law?

A) The president may recommend legislation to members of Congress.
B) The president may attempt to strongly influence the votes of members of Congress.
C) The president may cast a vote to break a tie in either chamber of Congress.
D) The president may use the national media to lobby publicly for passage, or defeat, of the bill.
E) The president may openly state great displeasure with the outcome of the bill.

Question 59

The chairpersons of the powerful congressional committees are ___________________.

A) chosen in a nationwide election
B) elected by the full membership of congress
C) members of the majority party who are appointed by the majority party leadership
D) evenly divided between majority and minority party members
E) appointed based solely on seniority regardless of party affiliation

Question 60

What role does the House of Representatives play in the impeachment and/or removal of the president or federal judges from office?

A) The House may bring formal impeachment charges against the individual, but such charges do not automatically remove the official from office.
B) Only the House of Representatives may vote to remove the official from office.
C) The House of Representatives has sole responsibility to both impeach and remove the official.
D) The House of Representatives can recommend only actions to the Supreme Court.
E) The House of Representatives does not have a role in impeachment and/or removal proceedings.

Question 61

Discuss the key differences between the powers granted to the House of Representatives and the senate.

Question 62

Explain the impeachment power given to Congress. Compare and contrast the respective roles of the House and senate. Provide an example of when Congress has used its power of impeachment.

Question 63

The direct assistance that a member provides to a constituent is ____________.

A) confirmation of appointees
B) ratification of treaties
C) impeachment
D) oversight
E) casework

Question 64

Explain the duties of each component of Congressional staffing: Congressional agencies, personal staff, and committee staff. Explain the role of each component in Congressional activity, especially legislative activity.

Question 65

Describe the various types of committees in Congress. Explain how Congress uses committees as part of its legislative and oversight processes.

Question 66

What role does the senate play in the impeachment and/or removal of the president or federal judges from office?

A) The senate has sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings, but these do not automatically remove the individual from office.
B) The senate has the power to try and remove the individual from office after the House has charged the person with an offense.
C) The senate is the only chamber with power to impeach, try, and remove the official.
D) Both chambers of Congress have the power to bring impeachment charges, but only the president may remove the individual from office.
E) The senate does not have a role in impeachment and/or removal proceedings.

Question 67

Describe the various ways members of Congress help their constituents (i.e., constituent services). Explain how this work benefits both the constituents and the members of Congress.​

Question 68

What is a filibuster? Why is it used? How does it work, and how does it end? Do you think a filibuster is an appropriate technique to be used in the senate? How do you think proceedings in the House of Representatives would change if it employed use of the filibuster?

Question 69

Describe congressional oversight. What oversight authority is given to the House? What oversight authority is given to the senate? Identify and discuss some of the unique oversight powers of the senate, especially in relation to the other two branches of government.

Question 70

As an elected member of Congress prepares to vote on a proposed bill, he or she is influenced by a number of factors. List at least five modern factors and describe how they may affect the legislation process.

Question 71

Explain the historical background of "Congress" in American history. Describe how Congress under the current constitution differs from previous Congresses in American history.

Question 72

Identify and describe the roles and power of the leaders within each chamber of Congress. How do these leaders obtain their positions? How are leadership positions of the House and senate similar? How are they different?

Question 73

In which of the following ways do members of Congress serve their constituents?

A) ​provide information about federal programs
B) ​reflect their opinions when voting on legislation
C) ​visit with a community group to educate its members about the political system
D) ​​provide information about federal programs, ​reflect their opinions when voting on legislation, and visit with a community group to educate its members about the political system
E) ​None of these choices is correct.

Question 74

The process of bringing a bill to the point of enacting it as legislation is a multistep and often complicated process. Describe how a bill becomes a law. Be sure to discuss the steps taken, the political and partisan activity, the authority of committees, and the compromise involved in the process.