Question 1

The role that the U.S. House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  judge 
B)  grand jury 
C)  prosecuting attorney 
D)  defense attorney 
E)  defense witness 
A)  judge 
B)  grand jury 
C)  prosecuting attorney 
D)  defense attorney 
E)  defense witness

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a task of congressional staff members?

Accepted Answer

A)  dealing with administrative agencies 
B)  drafting legislative proposals 
C)  organizing hearings 
D)  debating and voting in subcommittee meetings 
E)  negotiating with lobbyists 
A)  dealing with administrative agencies 
B)  drafting legislative proposals 
C)  organizing hearings 
D)  debating and voting in subcommittee meetings 
E)  negotiating with lobbyists

Question 3

A closed or an open rule refers to congressional provisions regarding

Accepted Answer

A)  whether deliberations are closed or open to the general public. 
B)  assignment to powerful committees. 
C)  whether lobbyists are allowed inside Congress. 
D)  floor debate on a bill. 
E)  whether all members of the House or just members of a particular committee vote on passing a bill. 
A)  whether deliberations are closed or open to the general public. 
B)  assignment to powerful committees. 
C)  whether lobbyists are allowed inside Congress. 
D)  floor debate on a bill. 
E)  whether all members of the House or just members of a particular committee vote on passing a bill.

Question 4

________ percent of all proposed bills die in the committee phase.

Accepted Answer

A)  Forty 
B)  Fifty-five 
C)  Seventy 
D)  Eighty 
E)  Ninety-five 
A)  Forty 
B)  Fifty-five 
C)  Seventy 
D)  Eighty 
E)  Ninety-five

Question 5

Which of the following statements concerning the process of reapportionment is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  In order for one state to gain a seat, another state must lose a seat. 
B)  States that grow in size may gain extra seats, but the Constitution forbids reducing the number of representatives for any state. 
C)  States that fall below a minimum number of inhabitants are represented in the House by a nonvoting delegate. 
D)  States that grow in size may gain extra seats, but the Constitution forbids any state from having more than 35 representatives. 
E)  States that grow in population can refuse to accept further seats and instead give them to another state. 
A)  In order for one state to gain a seat, another state must lose a seat. 
B)  States that grow in size may gain extra seats, but the Constitution forbids reducing the number of representatives for any state. 
C)  States that fall below a minimum number of inhabitants are represented in the House by a nonvoting delegate. 
D)  States that grow in size may gain extra seats, but the Constitution forbids any state from having more than 35 representatives. 
E)  States that grow in population can refuse to accept further seats and instead give them to another state.

Question 6

In general, members of the U.S. House seek committee assignments that will

Accepted Answer

A)  bring them the largest number of campaign donations. 
B)  give them greater media exposure. 
C)  allow them to influence decisions that are of special importance to voters in their districts. 
D)  allow them more personal contact with the president. 
E)  allow them to avoid issues that are important and controversial to voters in their districts. 
A)  bring them the largest number of campaign donations. 
B)  give them greater media exposure. 
C)  allow them to influence decisions that are of special importance to voters in their districts. 
D)  allow them more personal contact with the president. 
E)  allow them to avoid issues that are important and controversial to voters in their districts.

Question 7

Most members of the House attempt to stay on good terms with the Speaker of the House because the Speaker

Accepted Answer

A)  has the authority to call all party unity votes. 
B)  possesses the power of recognition. 
C)  controls all committee assignments. 
D)  approves all requests for logrolling. 
E)  makes all decisions regarding how leadership PACs will distribute their funds. 
A)  has the authority to call all party unity votes. 
B)  possesses the power of recognition. 
C)  controls all committee assignments. 
D)  approves all requests for logrolling. 
E)  makes all decisions regarding how leadership PACs will distribute their funds.

Question 8

What happened after the 2010 census?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pennsylvania gained the most U.S. House seats. 
B)  Texas gained the most U.S. House seats. 
C)  Utah gained the most U.S. House seats. 
D)  Michigan gained the most U.S. House seats. 
E)  South Carolina gained the most U.S. House seats. 
A)  Pennsylvania gained the most U.S. House seats. 
B)  Texas gained the most U.S. House seats. 
C)  Utah gained the most U.S. House seats. 
D)  Michigan gained the most U.S. House seats. 
E)  South Carolina gained the most U.S. House seats.

Question 9

Which of the following is the best definition of a congressional caucus?

Accepted Answer

A)  a formal substructure of congressional parties, oriented toward fund-raising 
B)  unofficial groups of representatives or senators sharing similar interests or opinions 
C)  informal lobbying groups, organized around similar interests such as agriculture or maritime affairs 
D)  a formal committee that has the power to propose and write legislation 
E)  a vote by members of the House in order to determine who the Speaker of the House will be 
A)  a formal substructure of congressional parties, oriented toward fund-raising 
B)  unofficial groups of representatives or senators sharing similar interests or opinions 
C)  informal lobbying groups, organized around similar interests such as agriculture or maritime affairs 
D)  a formal committee that has the power to propose and write legislation 
E)  a vote by members of the House in order to determine who the Speaker of the House will be

Question 10

________ were the only two presidents to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Accepted Answer

A)  Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon 
B)  James Buchanan and Warren Harding 
C)  Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover 
D)  Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton 
E)  Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford 
A)  Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon 
B)  James Buchanan and Warren Harding 
C)  Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover 
D)  Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton 
E)  Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford

Question 11

A vote on which 50 percent or more of the members of one party take one position while at least 50 percent of the members of the other party take the opposing position is called ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  an ideological split 
B)  congressional gridlock 
C)  a party unity vote 
D)  a pocket veto 
E)  cloture 
A)  an ideological split 
B)  congressional gridlock 
C)  a party unity vote 
D)  a pocket veto 
E)  cloture

Question 12

Which of the following statements is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Party leaders frequently demand that representatives vote in a particular way even if it conflicts with the representative's district and may hurt their re-election efforts. 
B)  Representatives are always above constituency pressures when they vote on laws in Congress. 
C)  Many states have strict laws that require representatives to vote in accordance with what their constituents want. 
D)  On many issues, constituents do not have very strong views and representatives are free to act as they think best without fear of electoral reprisals. 
E)  On many issues, constituents have very strong views and representatives feel compelled to do exactly what their constituents demand. 
A)  Party leaders frequently demand that representatives vote in a particular way even if it conflicts with the representative's district and may hurt their re-election efforts. 
B)  Representatives are always above constituency pressures when they vote on laws in Congress. 
C)  Many states have strict laws that require representatives to vote in accordance with what their constituents want. 
D)  On many issues, constituents do not have very strong views and representatives are free to act as they think best without fear of electoral reprisals. 
E)  On many issues, constituents have very strong views and representatives feel compelled to do exactly what their constituents demand.

Question 13

Cloture is

Accepted Answer

A)  the ability of a senator to speak for as long as he or she wishes to prevent action from being taken on legislation that he or she opposes. 
B)  the process by which three-fifths of the Senate can end a filibuster. 
C)  the rule that allows one house of Congress to circumvent the other during the legislative process. 
D)  the process by which the president can end a filibuster. 
E)  a lawsuit filed by a member of the Senate against a member of the House or vice versa. 
A)  the ability of a senator to speak for as long as he or she wishes to prevent action from being taken on legislation that he or she opposes. 
B)  the process by which three-fifths of the Senate can end a filibuster. 
C)  the rule that allows one house of Congress to circumvent the other during the legislative process. 
D)  the process by which the president can end a filibuster. 
E)  a lawsuit filed by a member of the Senate against a member of the House or vice versa.

Question 14

A ________ veto occurs when Congress adjourns during a ten-day period after presenting the president with a bill and he or she takes no action.

Accepted Answer

A)  procrastination 
B)  pocket 
C)  line-item 
D)  silent 
E)  expiration 
A)  procrastination 
B)  pocket 
C)  line-item 
D)  silent 
E)  expiration

Question 15

Which statement about the membership of Congress is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Senators and members of the House are much less likely to be Latino than the population on the whole. 
B)  Senators and members of the House are more likely than the population on the whole to be Jewish. 
C)  Senators and members of the House are much more likely than the population on the whole to hold professional or law degrees. 
D)  Senators and members of the House are less likely than the population on the whole to be Protestants. 
E)  Senators and members of the House are, on average, much older than the population. 
A)  Senators and members of the House are much less likely to be Latino than the population on the whole. 
B)  Senators and members of the House are more likely than the population on the whole to be Jewish. 
C)  Senators and members of the House are much more likely than the population on the whole to hold professional or law degrees. 
D)  Senators and members of the House are less likely than the population on the whole to be Protestants. 
E)  Senators and members of the House are, on average, much older than the population.

Question 16

Which of the following is true of the contemporary Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has been plagued by political gridlock for the past several years. 
B)  Prolonged political stalemates have led to the reduction of America's credit rating. 
C)  Prolonged political stalemates led to a costly government shutdown in 2013. 
D)  Americans have lost confidence in Congress as an institution. 
E)  all of the above 
A)  It has been plagued by political gridlock for the past several years. 
B)  Prolonged political stalemates have led to the reduction of America's credit rating. 
C)  Prolonged political stalemates led to a costly government shutdown in 2013. 
D)  Americans have lost confidence in Congress as an institution. 
E)  all of the above

Question 17

A filibuster allows members of the Senate to

Accepted Answer

A)  refer a bill to multiple committees. 
B)  avoid a conference committee. 
C)  prevent a vote on a bill by speaking continuously on the floor. 
D)  call into question any action of the executive branch. 
E)  add amendments to any bill at any time. 
A)  refer a bill to multiple committees. 
B)  avoid a conference committee. 
C)  prevent a vote on a bill by speaking continuously on the floor. 
D)  call into question any action of the executive branch. 
E)  add amendments to any bill at any time.

Question 18

The four joint committees in Congress are

Accepted Answer

A)  budget, veterans' affairs, labor, and health. 
B)  economic, taxation, library, and printing. 
C)  foreign affairs, welfare, currency, and trade. 
D)  globalization, human rights, employment, and citizenship. 
E)  justice, agriculture, education, and technology. 
A)  budget, veterans' affairs, labor, and health. 
B)  economic, taxation, library, and printing. 
C)  foreign affairs, welfare, currency, and trade. 
D)  globalization, human rights, employment, and citizenship. 
E)  justice, agriculture, education, and technology.

Question 19

________ have the same status as treaties but do not require U.S. Senate approval.

Accepted Answer

A)  International accords 
B)  Multilateral initiatives 
C)  Executive agreements 
D)  Foreign policy positions 
E)  Executive orders 
A)  International accords 
B)  Multilateral initiatives 
C)  Executive agreements 
D)  Foreign policy positions 
E)  Executive orders

Question 20

According to ________ representation, a legislator should be viewed as a person who is hired to represent the interests of his or her constituents.

Accepted Answer

A)  agency 
B)  sociological 
C)  mirroring 
D)  trustee 
E)  contract 
A)  agency 
B)  sociological 
C)  mirroring 
D)  trustee 
E)  contract

The role that the U.S. House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a ________.

Which of the following is NOT a task of congressional staff members?

A closed or an open rule refers to congressional provisions regarding

________ percent of all proposed bills die in the committee phase.

Which of the following statements concerning the process of reapportionment is correct?

In general, members of the U.S. House seek committee assignments that will

Most members of the House attempt to stay on good terms with the Speaker of the House because the Speaker

What happened after the 2010 census?

Which of the following is the best definition of a congressional caucus?

________ were the only two presidents to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.

A vote on which 50 percent or more of the members of one party take one position while at least 50 percent of the members of the other party take the opposing position is called ________.

Which of the following statements is most accurate?

Cloture is

A ________ veto occurs when Congress adjourns during a ten-day period after presenting the president with a bill and he or she takes no action.

Which statement about the membership of Congress is NOT true?

Which of the following is true of the contemporary Congress?

A filibuster allows members of the Senate to

The four joint committees in Congress are

________ have the same status as treaties but do not require U.S. Senate approval.

According to ________ representation, a legislator should be viewed as a person who is hired to represent the interests of his or her constituents.

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

Filters

Exam 12: Congress

The role that the U.S. House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a ________.

Which of the following is NOT a task of congressional staff members?

A closed or an open rule refers to congressional provisions regarding

________ percent of all proposed bills die in the committee phase.

Which of the following statements concerning the process of reapportionment is correct?

In general, members of the U.S. House seek committee assignments that will

Most members of the House attempt to stay on good terms with the Speaker of the House because the Speaker

What happened after the 2010 census?

Which of the following is the best definition of a congressional caucus?

________ were the only two presidents to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.

A vote on which 50 percent or more of the members of one party take one position while at least 50 percent of the members of the other party take the opposing position is called ________.

Which of the following statements is most accurate?

Cloture is

A ________ veto occurs when Congress adjourns during a ten-day period after presenting the president with a bill and he or she takes no action.

Which statement about the membership of Congress is NOT true?

Which of the following is true of the contemporary Congress?

A filibuster allows members of the Senate to

The four joint committees in Congress are

________ have the same status as treaties but do not require U.S. Senate approval.

According to ________ representation, a legislator should be viewed as a person who is hired to represent the interests of his or her constituents.

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

Filters