Question 1

In 2006, ______ became the Speaker of the House.

Accepted Answer

A)  Harry Reid 
B)  Dennis Hastert 
C)  Kay Bailey Hutchinson 
D)  Nancy Pelosi 
E)  Rahm Emanuel 
A)  Harry Reid 
B)  Dennis Hastert 
C)  Kay Bailey Hutchinson 
D)  Nancy Pelosi 
E)  Rahm Emanuel

Question 2

The idea of ______ identifies the best representative as the one who shares a similar racial, ethnic, religious, or occupational background with those he or she represents.

Accepted Answer

A)  agency representation 
B)  sociological representation 
C)  mirroring representation 
D)  trustee representation 
E)  delegate representation 
A)  agency representation 
B)  sociological representation 
C)  mirroring representation 
D)  trustee representation 
E)  delegate representation

Question 3

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent extends to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  the president's power to make treaties with foreign nations 
B)  the president's power to make executive agreements 
C)  the president's power to issue executive orders 
D)  the president's power to issue pardons 
E)  all federal court decisions regarding the separation of powers 
A)  the president's power to make treaties with foreign nations 
B)  the president's power to make executive agreements 
C)  the president's power to issue executive orders 
D)  the president's power to issue pardons 
E)  all federal court decisions regarding the separation of powers

Question 4

"Closed rule" and "open rule" refer 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 5

What are the most common private bills proposed in Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  bills giving individuals or corporations tax relief 
B)  bills for permanent visas or citizenship for foreign nationals 
C)  bills for defense contracts in a representative's district 
D)  bills that declare certain foreign nationals enemies of the United States 
E)  There are no private bills in Congress; all bills must be public. 
A)  bills giving individuals or corporations tax relief 
B)  bills for permanent visas or citizenship for foreign nationals 
C)  bills for defense contracts in a representative's district 
D)  bills that declare certain foreign nationals enemies of the United States 
E)  There are no private bills in Congress; all bills must be public.

Question 6

Gerrymandering refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the resources that elected officials use to reward their supporters. 
B)  the manipulation of electoral districts to serve the interests of a particular group. 
C)  the practice whereby legislators trade their support or opposition on one bill to get the support of another legislator on a different bill. 
D)  the investigations of the executive branch that Congress frequently engages in. 
E)  the tactic used by members of the Senate to prevent action on legislation they oppose by continuously holding the floor and speaking until the majority backs down. 
A)  the resources that elected officials use to reward their supporters. 
B)  the manipulation of electoral districts to serve the interests of a particular group. 
C)  the practice whereby legislators trade their support or opposition on one bill to get the support of another legislator on a different bill. 
D)  the investigations of the executive branch that Congress frequently engages in. 
E)  the tactic used by members of the Senate to prevent action on legislation they oppose by continuously holding the floor and speaking until the majority backs down.

Question 7

The jurisdiction of standing committees

Accepted Answer

A)  is related to a specific geographic region. 
B)  is defined by the subject matter of legislation, which often parallels the major cabinet departments or agencies. 
C)  is determined by the different political parties. 
D)  is determined by the U.S. Supreme Court. 
E)  often overlaps with the jurisdiction of select committees. 
A)  is related to a specific geographic region. 
B)  is defined by the subject matter of legislation, which often parallels the major cabinet departments or agencies. 
C)  is determined by the different political parties. 
D)  is determined by the U.S. Supreme Court. 
E)  often overlaps with the jurisdiction of select committees.

Question 8

According to the text, which of the following is not an important influence on the legislative agenda of Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  constituents 
B)  lobbyists 
C)  the president 
D)  the federal courts 
E)  party leadership 
A)  constituents 
B)  lobbyists 
C)  the president 
D)  the federal courts 
E)  party leadership

Question 9

The House Ways and Means Committee is one of the most important committees in Congress because

Accepted Answer

A)  it decides the order in which specific bills come up for a vote on the House floor and the specific rules that govern the length of debate. 
B)  it determines which representatives are assigned to which committees within the House. 
C)  it has the final vote on all foreign policy legislation moving through the House. 
D)  it has jurisdiction over taxes, trade, and entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. 
E)  it is placed in charge of voting on impeachment charges. 
A)  it decides the order in which specific bills come up for a vote on the House floor and the specific rules that govern the length of debate. 
B)  it determines which representatives are assigned to which committees within the House. 
C)  it has the final vote on all foreign policy legislation moving through the House. 
D)  it has jurisdiction over taxes, trade, and entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. 
E)  it is placed in charge of voting on impeachment charges.

Question 10

Congress may overturn a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote by each house.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Oversight can best be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  the efforts of Congress to supervise the manner in which its laws are implemented by the executive branch. 
B)  the organizational control exercised by party whips over members of Congress. 
C)  the authority of committee chairs over the hearings and investigations conducted by the subcommittees. 
D)  the informal power of the president to set the legislative agenda for Congress. 
E)  the approval that the Senate must give to all presidential appointments to the federal judiciary. 
A)  the efforts of Congress to supervise the manner in which its laws are implemented by the executive branch. 
B)  the organizational control exercised by party whips over members of Congress. 
C)  the authority of committee chairs over the hearings and investigations conducted by the subcommittees. 
D)  the informal power of the president to set the legislative agenda for Congress. 
E)  the approval that the Senate must give to all presidential appointments to the federal judiciary.

Question 12

How long is the term of office for a U.S. senator?

Accepted Answer

A)  two years 
B)  four years 
C)  six years 
D)  eight years 
E)  ten years 
A)  two years 
B)  four years 
C)  six years 
D)  eight years 
E)  ten years

Question 13

A(n) ______ has the same status as a treaty but does not require Senate approval.

Accepted Answer

A)  international accord 
B)  multilateral initiative 
C)  executive agreement 
D)  foreign policy position 
E)  executive order 
A)  international accord 
B)  multilateral initiative 
C)  executive agreement 
D)  foreign policy position 
E)  executive order

Question 14

Which of the following is the best definition of a constituent?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is another name for a voter. 
B)  It is the name for a member of Congress running for re-election. 
C)  It is someone who donates money to a campaign. 
D)  It is a person who lives in the district represented by a member of the legislature. 
E)  It is the name for a person who has sued the federal government in court for violating the Constitution. 
A)  It is another name for a voter. 
B)  It is the name for a member of Congress running for re-election. 
C)  It is someone who donates money to a campaign. 
D)  It is a person who lives in the district represented by a member of the legislature. 
E)  It is the name for a person who has sued the federal government in court for violating the Constitution.

Question 15

"Astroturf lobbying" refers to the practice whereby

Accepted Answer

A)  members of Congress are influenced by being given free tickets to sporting events or other gifts. 
B)  a special interest group simulating a grassroots movement works with well-organized campaigns and petitions. 
C)  members of Congress are influenced by large campaign donations. 
D)  lobbyists begin to specialize, with narrow areas of professional expertise. 
E)  a special interest group pretends to represent the public interest. 
A)  members of Congress are influenced by being given free tickets to sporting events or other gifts. 
B)  a special interest group simulating a grassroots movement works with well-organized campaigns and petitions. 
C)  members of Congress are influenced by large campaign donations. 
D)  lobbyists begin to specialize, with narrow areas of professional expertise. 
E)  a special interest group pretends to represent the public interest.

Question 16

Which of the following statements concerning the representation of women and minorities in the U.S. Congress is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Representation of women and minorities has decreased by one-third since the 1970s. 
B)  Representation of women and minorities has increased over the past two decades but is not comparable to their proportions in the general population. 
C)  Women are underrepresented in Congress, but there is a disproportionate representation of minorities in Congress. 
D)  Since the mid-1990s, the number of women and minorities in Congress roughly reflects their proportions in the general population. 
E)  Women and minorities are overrepresented in the House but underrepresented in the Senate. 
A)  Representation of women and minorities has decreased by one-third since the 1970s. 
B)  Representation of women and minorities has increased over the past two decades but is not comparable to their proportions in the general population. 
C)  Women are underrepresented in Congress, but there is a disproportionate representation of minorities in Congress. 
D)  Since the mid-1990s, the number of women and minorities in Congress roughly reflects their proportions in the general population. 
E)  Women and minorities are overrepresented in the House but underrepresented in the Senate.

Question 17

Members of Congress can represent the people in two ways: as a ______, a member of Congress acts on the express preferences of his or her constituency; as a ______, a member is more loosely tied to constituents and makes the decisions he or she thinks are best.

Accepted Answer

A)  delegate; trustee 
B)  trustee; delegate 
C)  representative; senator 
D)  senator; representative 
E)  delegate; representative 
A)  delegate; trustee 
B)  trustee; delegate 
C)  representative; senator 
D)  senator; representative 
E)  delegate; representative

Question 18

Write an essay describing the electoral connection in Congress. Describe some examples of constituency service. What are some of the ways a member of Congress can directly aid their state or district? What effect do incumbency and redistricting have in the makeup of Congress?

Accepted Answer

The electoral connection in Congress ref

Question 19

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 20

Describe some of the different ways members of Congress can represent the American people. What are the principles behind sociological and agency representation? What are some examples of each type? Describe the difference between a trustee and a delegate. Which type of representation do you believe is the best?

Accepted Answer

Members of Congress can represent the Am

In 2006, ______ became the Speaker of the House.

The idea of ______ identifies the best representative as the one who shares a similar racial, ethnic, religious, or occupational background with those he or she represents.

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent extends to which of the following?

"Closed rule" and "open rule" refer to congressional provisions regarding

What are the most common private bills proposed in Congress?

Gerrymandering refers to

The jurisdiction of standing committees

According to the text, which of the following is not an important influence on the legislative agenda of Congress?

The House Ways and Means Committee is one of the most important committees in Congress because

Congress may overturn a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote by each house.

Oversight can best be described as

How long is the term of office for a U.S. senator?

A(n) ______ has the same status as a treaty but does not require Senate approval.

Which of the following is the best definition of a constituent?

"Astroturf lobbying" refers to the practice whereby

Which of the following statements concerning the representation of women and minorities in the U.S. Congress is true?

Members of Congress can represent the people in two ways: as a , a member of Congress acts on the express preferences of his or her constituency; as a , a member is more loosely tied to constituents and makes the decisions he or she thinks are best.

Write an essay describing the electoral connection in Congress. Describe some examples of constituency service. What are some of the ways a member of Congress can directly aid their state or district? What effect do incumbency and redistricting have in the makeup of Congress?

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

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

Filters

Exam 12: Congress

In 2006, ______ became the Speaker of the House.

The idea of ______ identifies the best representative as the one who shares a similar racial, ethnic, religious, or occupational background with those he or she represents.

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent extends to which of the following?

"Closed rule" and "open rule" refer to congressional provisions regarding

What are the most common private bills proposed in Congress?

Gerrymandering refers to

The jurisdiction of standing committees

According to the text, which of the following is not an important influence on the legislative agenda of Congress?

The House Ways and Means Committee is one of the most important committees in Congress because

Congress may overturn a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote by each house.

Oversight can best be described as

How long is the term of office for a U.S. senator?

A(n) ______ has the same status as a treaty but does not require Senate approval.

Which of the following is the best definition of a constituent?

"Astroturf lobbying" refers to the practice whereby

Which of the following statements concerning the representation of women and minorities in the U.S. Congress is true?

Members of Congress can represent the people in two ways: as a ______, a member of Congress acts on the express preferences of his or her constituency; as a ______, a member is more loosely tied to constituents and makes the decisions he or she thinks are best.

Write an essay describing the electoral connection in Congress. Describe some examples of constituency service. What are some of the ways a member of Congress can directly aid their state or district? What effect do incumbency and redistricting have in the makeup of Congress?

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

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

Filters

Members of Congress can represent the people in two ways: as a , a member of Congress acts on the express preferences of his or her constituency; as a , a member is more loosely tied to constituents and makes the decisions he or she thinks are best.