Question 1

When a network of small businesses across the country cooperated to oppose President Bill Clinton's health-care plan in 1993-94, it illustrated the power of which type of organization to influence congressional decision making?

Accepted Answer

A)  the constituency
B)  interest groups
C)  military leaders
D)  political party leaders

Question 2

In recent years, how have congressional party leaders sought to augment their formal powers?

Accepted Answer

A)  fundraising for members, including the use of leadership political action committees (PACs) 
B)  limiting campaign spending to focus resources on the administrative and intellectual core of the party organization
C)  setting affirmative action quotas on their leadership and membership
D)  encouraging members to neglect their constituencies

Question 3

In the American political system, the power to approve the appointment of ambassadors lies with the

Accepted Answer

A)  Senate.
B)  president.
C)  House of Representatives.
D)  Supreme Court.

Question 4

When a massive 2017 tax cut bill was passed in different forms in the House and Senate, the group of legislators from each chamber met to resolve interchamber differences. This negotiating group was known as a(n)  __________ committee.

Accepted Answer

A)  standing
B)  ad hoc
C)  bicameral
D)  conference

Question 5

In 2003, the Texas legislature redrew the Texas congressional district boundaries in a way that favored Republicans. This exemplifies the practice known as

Accepted Answer

A)  gerrymandering.
B)  pork barreling.
C)  the franking privilege.
D)  filibustering.

Question 6

What is the minimum age required to serve as a U.S. senator?

Accepted Answer

A)  21
B)  25
C)  30
D)  35

Question 7

Running to keep a political office that one already holds is called

Accepted Answer

A)  rank.
B)  tenure.
C)  incumbency.
D)  seniority.

Question 8

Who is the chief presiding officer in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Speaker of the House
B)  the majority leader
C)  the president pro tempore
D)  the House clerk

Question 9

Which of the following helps explain pork-barrel activities in Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  the rationality principle, because incumbent legislators think funding all these projects is in the best interest of the nation for the federal government
B)  the collective action principle, because legislators must join with other legislators in exchanging support for each other's projects
C)  the institution principle, because the institutions of Congress are designed to prevent distributive practices such as pork-barrel legislation
D)  the policy principle, because pork-barrel legislation is Congress's primary tool for improving the national economy

Question 10

Amendments to the 1965 Voting Rights Act have increased the controversial practice of drawing congressional district boundaries on the basis of the

Accepted Answer

A)  party identification of district residents.
B)  religion of district residents.
C)  gender of district residents.
D)  race of district residents.

Question 11

What is one of the most important powers of House majority party leaders?

Accepted Answer

A)  nominating judges for the Supreme Court and other federal judgeships
B)  screening and editing press releases by members of their congressional party delegations
C)  choosing legislation for consideration in the House chamber
D)  distributing the patronage jobs controlled by the House and Speaker's office

Question 12

Why does the Senate tend to be a more deliberative body than the House?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Senate has more rules governing the lawmaking process.
B)  The Senate has a strong commitment to the principle of unlimited debate.
C)  The Senate is more centralized and organized.
D)  The Senate has more members and thus a more diverse set of views.

Question 13

If a senator uses the filibuster, there is no way to stop him or her.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

A bill's supporters generally prefer that the Rules Committee decide to use a(n)  __________ rule.

Accepted Answer

A)  open
B)  closed
C)  commencement
D)  previous question

Question 15

Part of the reason incumbents are so successful at reelection is that they scare off potential challengers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The Senate was originally designed to maximize the input of citizens.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

When the Energy and Commerce Committee decided to bring a massive energy reform bill to the floor of the House for consideration, which of its powers did it exercise?

Accepted Answer

A)  oversight power
B)  proposal power
C)  veto authority
D)  override authority

Question 18

Executive agreements require the Senate's advice and consent.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

A rule allowing a three-fifths majority of U.S. senators to set a time limit on debate over a given bill is called

Accepted Answer

A)  a closed rule.
B)  cloture.
C)  a legislative veto.
D)  duration power.

Question 20

How often do voters elect members to the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

A)  every year
B)  every two years
C)  every four years
D)  every six years

Exam 6: Congress: The First Branch

A bill's supporters generally prefer that the Rules Committee decide to use a(n) __________ rule.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If a senator uses the filibuster, there is no way to stop him or her.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In recent years, how have congressional party leaders sought to augment their formal powers?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A rule allowing a three-fifths majority of U.S. senators to set a time limit on debate over a given bill is called

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following helps explain pork-barrel activities in Congress?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Running to keep a political office that one already holds is called

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why does the Senate tend to be a more deliberative body than the House?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When a network of small businesses across the country cooperated to oppose President Bill Clinton's health-care plan in 1993-94, it illustrated the power of which type of organization to influence congressional decision making?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How often do voters elect members to the House of Representatives?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Executive agreements require the Senate's advice and consent.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Amendments to the 1965 Voting Rights Act have increased the controversial practice of drawing congressional district boundaries on the basis of the

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In the American political system, the power to approve the appointment of ambassadors lies with the

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When the Energy and Commerce Committee decided to bring a massive energy reform bill to the floor of the House for consideration, which of its powers did it exercise?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When a massive 2017 tax cut bill was passed in different forms in the House and Senate, the group of legislators from each chamber met to resolve interchamber differences. This negotiating group was known as a(n) __________ committee.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the minimum age required to serve as a U.S. senator?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is one of the most important powers of House majority party leaders?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Part of the reason incumbents are so successful at reelection is that they scare off potential challengers.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Senate was originally designed to maximize the input of citizens.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Who is the chief presiding officer in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In 2003, the Texas legislature redrew the Texas congressional district boundaries in a way that favored Republicans. This exemplifies the practice known as

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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