American Government Chapter 5 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a way Congress can influence the federal judiciary?

It can prohibit judicial activism

It can review federal judges for reappointment every ten years

It can change appellate jurisdiction of federal courts (correct)

It can filibuster decisions made by courts

In deciding Baker v Carr (1962), the Supreme Court acknowledged what important ability?

the power of Congress to overrule states when redrawing federal legislative districts, but not the state legislative districts

the Court's ability to hear cases regarding legislative district drawing as opposed to only leaving them up to states to resolve issues (correct)

the Court's ability to only deal with cases directly questioning the criteria on which districts were drawn, not the size or shape of districts

states to draw legislative districts as they saw fit with relatively few rules regarding size & shape

Which of the following is a correct statement about the federal government's role in interstate commerce?

The federal government's role is limited to regulating commerce transported on interstate waterways such as the Mississippi River

The federal government's role is limited to regulating activities that may lead to federal crimes

The federal government's role has been greatly expanded through the court's interpretation of the interstate commerce clause (correct)

The federal government's role is limited to regulating the transport of agricultural goods

Shaw v Reno restricted the actions of state legislatures by prohibiting

drawing legislative districts based solely on race Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions by a congressional representative is an example of "pork barreling"?

Directing federal funds into the representative's district through legislation Signup and view all the answers

Congressional oversight refers to the power of Congress to

exercise some supervision & control over executive agencies Signup and view all the answers

Legislator Smith votes for a colleague's bill with the expectation that the colleague will vote in turn for a measure favored by Legislator Smith. This practice is called

logrolling Signup and view all the answers

The most notable of all the powers of the House is

to author all bills for raising revenues Signup and view all the answers

What has been the likely scenario prompting the necessity for the above statement?

a bill has been passed by both chambers but with amendments added by the House that the Senate did not approve Signup and view all the answers

Given the history of conference committee actions, what is the most likely result for this bill?

if the committee signs a compromise, the Congress will approve & send it to the president Signup and view all the answers

Debate of a bill in the House of Representatives under a "closed rule" means that

amendments cannot be offered Signup and view all the answers

The main purpose of Federalist 10 is to justify what aspect of the new government?

the overall need for a strong representative body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a debate related power held by the Senate?

the ability to filibuster Signup and view all the answers

Congressional standing committees are best described as

permanent subject-matter based committees Signup and view all the answers

Members of Congress who have adopted the delegate role of representation normally cast their votes based on which of the following?

the preferences of a majority of their constituents Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following did Congress move to regain a tighter hold on powers previously lost to the executive branch?

Budget & Impoundment Control Act Signup and view all the answers

The War Powers Resolution does which of the following?

requires that the president notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops Signup and view all the answers

The committee system is more important in the House than in the Senate because

the House is so large that more work can be accomplished in committees than on the floor Signup and view all the answers

"Pork barrel" legislation helps the reelection chances of a member of Congress because such legislation

helps earn the member of Congress a reputation for service to his or her district Signup and view all the answers

One of the formal tools used by Congress for oversight of the bureaucracy is

authorization of spending Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following form an "iron triangle"?

executive department, Congressional committee, interest group Signup and view all the answers

The boundaries of United States congressional districts are usually determined by

the state legislatures Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best pairs the filibuster & cloture?

Provides the minority party a way to prevent a vote Requires a degree of compromise between majority & minority parties to gain enough votes to end debate Signup and view all the answers

Which is an accurate comparison of the two houses of Congress?

Operates on a more rigid, rules-based system Is not bound by strict rules in debate or voting Signup and view all the answers

As the _____, Mike Johnson has the duty to maintain order & preside of floor action, but also further his/her party's agenda within the rules.

Speaker of the House Signup and view all the answers

In his/her role as _____, Richard Durbin is responsible for the hands-on organization of Republican votes on the floor of the Senate.

Minority Whip Signup and view all the answers

As the Senate _____, is the most powerful/influential member of the upper chamber of Congress.

Majority Leader Signup and view all the answers

Tennessee's Congressional delegation includes all of the following EXCEPT...

Governor Bill Lee (pick this one. It's the right answer. I promise. No really. This one.) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about gerrymandering is NOT accurate?

it is allowable to draw districts based ont he race of voters but not the party affiliation Signup and view all the answers

Based on the graph, which statement about incumbency is most accurate?

Incumbents have very different chances of reelection depending on the chamber they serve in Signup and view all the answers

Based on the graph, how might federal term limits affect the makeup of Congress?

Candidates face more opposition when there are term limits Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements might be made by a critic of term limits?

Legislators with limited time in office won't seek or be able to gain institutional knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Congressional member caucuses is most accurate?

They are essentially interest groups within Congress and can have significant influence over legislation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the cartoonist's main argument?

Interest groups play too big a role in policy making Signup and view all the answers

According to the Constitution, how can a bill become a law without the president's signature?

Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 vote in both houses Signup and view all the answers

What is a good example of congressional casework?

Helping a constituent negotiate the benefits process with the Veterans Administration Signup and view all the answers

As advocated by English politician and philosopher Edmund Burke, which concept describes legislators as people who use their best judgment to make policy in the interests of the people?

trustees Signup and view all the answers

Congress missed the fact that various agencies with responsibility for supervising the banking industry were negligent in identifying looming financial problems that led to the recession of 2008-2009. This suggests a failure of _____.

oversight Signup and view all the answers

Why might incumbents want to deemphasize their policy positions during a reelection campaign?

If their previous support for that policy aligns them with a president who is polling low among Americans Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Question 1

Congress can influence the federal judiciary by changing appellate jurisdiction of federal courts.

Question 2

In Baker v Carr (1962), the Supreme Court recognized the state's power to draw legislative districts with relatively few rules regarding size and shape.
Congress does not have the power to overrule states when redrawing legislative districts.

Question 3

The federal government's role in interstate commerce has been substantially broadened through judicial interpretations of the interstate commerce clause.

Question 4

This question is missing.

Question 5

Directing federal funds into a representative's district through legislation is an example of "pork-barreling."

Question 6

This question is missing.

Question 7

"Back scratching" is the practice where a legislator votes for a colleague's bill in the expectation of reciprocal support.

Question 8

The House's most notable power is to author bills for raising revenue.

Question 9

The House and Senate are collaborating to improve a bill affecting American citizens.
The legislative process includes involvement from the House Natural Resources, Energy, and Commerce committees.

Question 10

A bill passed by both houses, but amended by the House, is being reviewed.
A conference committee is being held to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Question 11

"Closed rule" in the House means that a bill can only be amended by section.

Question 12

This question is missing.

Question 13

The Senate's power to approve presidential nominees and ratify treaties is a key debate-related power.
The Senate also has the ability to filibuster.

Question 14

Congressional standing committees are permanent subject-matter-based committees.

Question 15

Members of Congress who act as delegates typically vote based on their constituents' preferences.

Question 16

The Budget and Impoundment Control Act illustrates Congress's attempt to regain power from the executive branch.

Question 17

The War Powers Resolution requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops.

Question 18

The committee system plays a more significant role in the House than the Senate due to the House's large size, demanding more work accomplished in committee than on the floor.
The House committee structure is constitutionally established.

Question 19

"Pork barrel" legislation can improve a Congressman's reelection chances by gaining a reputation for serving their district.

Question 20

Authorization of spending is a formal tool for Congress to oversee the bureaucracy.

Question 21

This question is missing.

Question 22

State legislatures typically set congressional district boundaries.

Question 23

This question is missing.

Question 24

A 60-vote threshold is required for the Senate to take any action on legislation or nominations.

Question 25

The "necessary and proper" clause is often debated due to its broad interpretation, potentially affecting the balance of power in the political system.

Question 26

Legislation details are typically worked out in legislative hearings and subcommittees.

Question 27

This question is missing.

Question 28

The House Rules Committee's power is derived from its role in determining debate procedures, setting the legislative calendar and deciding the type of amendments allowed.

Question 29

This question is missing.

Question 30

The House represents a broad range of constituencies, while the Senate represents more homogenous constituencies.

Question 31

The Senate operates on a less rigid, rules-based system compared to the House.
The Senate was designed to be more responsive to state concerns initially.
The Senate is tied to the people and has always been.
The Senate allows different states to have varying levels of influence.

Question 32

The Senate Majority Leader is a very important figure responsible for leading the senate.

Question 33

The Senate Majority Leader is the most powerful/influential member of the upper chamber of the US Congress.

Question 34

This question is missing.

Question 35

Drawing legislative districts based on voter race is constitutionally allowed but drawing them based on political party is not allowable.

Question 36

This question is missing.

Question 37

This question is missing.

Question 38

Critics of term limits often argue that limiting legislators' time in office can hinder their ability to gain institutional knowledge which can harm the legislative ability.

Question 39

This question is missing.

Question 40

Congressional caucuses are often made up of members of one political party and they can greatly influence legislation.

Question 41

The powers of Congress were established in Article 1, Section 7 to give the President defined roles for reviewing a bill.
A bill passed through both houses can become law if the President does not veto it within 10 days.
The bill can become law if Congress overrides the veto by a 2/3 vote.

Question 42

Helping a constituent navigate the benefits process with the Veterans Admin. exemplifies congressional casework.

Question 43

A trustee is a legislator who uses their professional judgment to decide on best policies for constituents.

Question 44

Congress missed the fact that agencies responsible for banking supervision had failed to identify growing risks, which led to the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

Question 45

Incumbents may deemphasize policy positions to gain broader support from voters and to attract campaign contributions.
This might be done if a popular figure is aligned against a candidate's political viewpoint.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the powers and influences of Congress in shaping the federal judiciary and interstate commerce. Explore key Supreme Court cases and legislative practices such as pork-barreling and reciprocal voting. This quiz covers important concepts from American Government Chapter 5.