Question 1

The __________ holds a leadership position in the Senate, although the position has none of the House Speakership's potential for control chamber organization and proceedings.

Accepted Answer

A)   speaker
B)   majority leader
C)   minority whip
D)   majority whip B

Question 2

Who determines party ratios on each committee?

Accepted Answer

A)   the Speaker of the House
B)   the president of the Senate
C)   the majority party
D)   the president's cabinet C

Question 3

What are the jobs of the Speaker of the House? the Senate's president pro tempore? the Senate's majority and minority leaders? Which positions tend to be more powerful? Why?

Accepted Answer

The Speaker of the House is responsible for presiding over the House of Representatives, maintaining order during debates, and deciding who may speak on the House floor. They also play a key role in setting the legislative agenda, appointing members to committees, and representing the House in its relations with the President and the Senate.

The Senate's president pro tempore is a largely ceremonial position that is typically held by the senior member of the majority party. They preside over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President and have the authority to sign legislation and perform other administrative duties.

The Senate's majority leader is responsible for setting the legislative agenda and determining which bills will be brought to the floor for debate and vote. They also play a key role in coordinating the actions of the majority party in the Senate.

The Senate's minority leader, on the other hand, is responsible for representing the interests of the minority party in the Senate and working to advance their legislative priorities.

In terms of power, the Speaker of the House tends to be the most powerful of these positions. This is because the Speaker has significant control over the legislative process in the House of Representatives, including the ability to schedule votes and determine which bills will be considered. Additionally, the Speaker is second in the line of presidential succession, after the Vice President, which further adds to their influence and authority.

Question 4

Standing committees are split into smaller entities called __________, which hold jurisdiction over part of a committee's area of responsibility.

Accepted Answer

A)   low committees
B)   subcommittees
C)   joint committees
D)   door committees

Question 5

The description of Congress and its powers is found in Article __________ of the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

A)   I
B)   II
C)   III
D)   IV

Question 6

The selection of a House Speaker has become __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   a Cabinet issue
B)   the Senate's responsibility
C)   the larger states' task
D)   a partisan matter

Question 7

There are __________ seats in the House of Representatives.

Accepted Answer

A)   385
B)   415
C)   435
D)   455

Question 8

In the 112th Congress, women comprise 51 percent of the population but only about ___________ percent of the membership.

Accepted Answer

A)   5
B)   10
C)   17
D)   20

Question 9

C-SPAN viewers are considered __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   highly educated
B)   strongly conservative
C)   extremely liberal
D)   poorly informed

Question 10

What are the advantages of incumbency for members of Congress?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the advantages of incumbency for...

Question 11

What is required to stop a filibuster?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is required to stop a filibuster?...

Question 12

What does Congress do? Describe three main functions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does Congress do? Describe three main...

Question 13

What is the function of the conference committee?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the function of the conference...

Question 14

Congress is composed of __________ voting members.

Accepted Answer

A)   535
B)   100
C)   435
D)   50

Question 15

The committee that reconciles the differences between the House and Senate versions of the same bill is the __________ committee.

Accepted Answer

A)   ad hoc
B)   conference
C)   rules
D)   select

Question 16

The phrase "you support my bill, and I'll support yours" exemplifies which congressional norm?

Accepted Answer

A)   specialization
B)   appropriation
C)   logrolling
D)   socialization

Question 17

What is the significance of task forces and ad hoc committees?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the significance of task forces...

Question 18

What are the mechanisms of congressional oversight? Are they effective?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the mechanisms of congressional oversight?...

Question 19

Which is one of the newer criteria influencing members' choices of committee assignments?

Accepted Answer

A)   the way particular committees are run
B)   the interests of their reelection constituencies
C)   committee oversight electors
D)   media coverage

Question 20

What is meant by "standing for" representation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is meant by "standing for" representation?...

Exam 9: Congress