Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was a primary concern of the framers of the Articles of Confederation?
What was a primary concern of the framers of the Articles of Confederation?
The Constitution allows for unilateral decision-making by Congress and the president.
The Constitution allows for unilateral decision-making by Congress and the president.
False
What is the essential principle of the Constitution?
What is the essential principle of the Constitution?
Government must be confined to the rule of law.
The principle of __________ separates the powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The principle of __________ separates the powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
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Match the elements of the Constitution with their descriptions:
Match the elements of the Constitution with their descriptions:
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What can the success of the Constitution be attributed to?
What can the success of the Constitution be attributed to?
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The Constitution is the longest written national constitution currently in effect.
The Constitution is the longest written national constitution currently in effect.
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Name one way Congress has enhanced the definition of constitutional powers.
Name one way Congress has enhanced the definition of constitutional powers.
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What happens to a Bill that is not returned by the President within ten days?
What happens to a Bill that is not returned by the President within ten days?
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The President can approve or disapprove Orders, Resolutions, or Votes from Congress.
The President can approve or disapprove Orders, Resolutions, or Votes from Congress.
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What must Congress do to override a Presidential disapproval of a Bill?
What must Congress do to override a Presidential disapproval of a Bill?
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Congress has the power to lay and collect ______ throughout the United States.
Congress has the power to lay and collect ______ throughout the United States.
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Match the following powers of Congress with their descriptions:
Match the following powers of Congress with their descriptions:
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Which of the following is NOT a type of committee in Congress?
Which of the following is NOT a type of committee in Congress?
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U.S. territories have voting representation in the Senate.
U.S. territories have voting representation in the Senate.
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What is the role of a delegate elected from a U.S. territory in the House of Representatives?
What is the role of a delegate elected from a U.S. territory in the House of Representatives?
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There are __________ basic types of committees in Congress.
There are __________ basic types of committees in Congress.
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How many members does the House of Representatives have?
How many members does the House of Representatives have?
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Congress can effectively operate without its committee structure.
Congress can effectively operate without its committee structure.
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Name the types of committees in Congress.
Name the types of committees in Congress.
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What was established by the 1990 CFO Act?
What was established by the 1990 CFO Act?
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The GPRA Modernization Act requires agencies to submit strategic plans only once every five years.
The GPRA Modernization Act requires agencies to submit strategic plans only once every five years.
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What type of reports does the GPRAMA require to be submitted quarterly for priority goals?
What type of reports does the GPRAMA require to be submitted quarterly for priority goals?
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The 1993 Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) focused the budget process on __________ and outcomes.
The 1993 Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) focused the budget process on __________ and outcomes.
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Match the following acts with their primary focus:
Match the following acts with their primary focus:
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Which act requires annual performance reports to showcase actual performance trends over the past five years?
Which act requires annual performance reports to showcase actual performance trends over the past five years?
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The 1990 CFO Act is primarily focused on controlling the deficit between revenue and spending.
The 1990 CFO Act is primarily focused on controlling the deficit between revenue and spending.
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What is one of the main categories of legislation related to the federal budget process?
What is one of the main categories of legislation related to the federal budget process?
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What is the primary purpose of a conference committee?
What is the primary purpose of a conference committee?
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Conference committees are usually comprised only of committee members from the originating chamber.
Conference committees are usually comprised only of committee members from the originating chamber.
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What happens if the conferees exceed their authority in making recommendations?
What happens if the conferees exceed their authority in making recommendations?
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The House and Senate must agree for a __________ to be appointed.
The House and Senate must agree for a __________ to be appointed.
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Match the following conference committee recommendations with their explanations:
Match the following conference committee recommendations with their explanations:
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Which of the following is NOT an option available to conference committees when dealing with amendments?
Which of the following is NOT an option available to conference committees when dealing with amendments?
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Each chamber is limited to appointing only a small number of conferees.
Each chamber is limited to appointing only a small number of conferees.
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What is often referred to as the 'third chamber of Congress'?
What is often referred to as the 'third chamber of Congress'?
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Study Notes
The Articles of Confederation
- The Articles of Confederation was heavily influenced by the constitutions of individual states and the principles of the Declaration of Independence.
- The framers of the Articles were concerned with limiting the power of the federal government and guaranteeing individual freedoms.
- The principle of separation of power was designed to prevent a centralized government from becoming tyrannical.
The U.S. Constitution
- The Constitution defines the fundamental law of the federal government.
- It establishes the three branches of the federal government: executive, legislative, and judicial.
- It outlines the jurisdiction of each branch.
- It establishes the basic rights of U.S. citizens.
- It is the oldest written constitution in the world still in effect.
U.S. Congress
- The U.S. Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government.
- It is comprised of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- The House of Representatives has 435 members.
- The Senate has 100 members.
- Members of Congress work together to find common ground and serve their constituents.
- U.S. territories and districts do not have voting representation in Congress, although they can elect a non-voting delegate to the House.
Congressional Committees
- There are three basic types of congressional committees: standing, special/select/other, and joint.
- Standing committees are permanent.
- Special, select, or other committees are established for specific topics and may be long-term or temporary.
- Joint committees involve members from both the House and Senate.
Legislative Process
- Bills may be introduced in either the House or the Senate.
- If a bill is passed in one chamber, it is sent to the other.
- The other chamber may accept or reject the bill, or propose amendments.
- If the chambers cannot agree on a bill, a conference committee is formed to resolve the differences.
- Conference committees are comprised of members of both chambers and are considered very powerful.
Key Budget Legislation
- The 1921 Budget and Accounting Act established the process for creating the federal budget.
- The 1974 Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act gave Congress more control over the budget.
- The 1990 Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act established the CFOs in specified agencies and departments.
- The 1993 Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) focused the budget process on planning and outcomes.
- The 2010 GPRA Modernization Act (GPRAMA) expanded the requirements for agency performance reporting.
- Other key budget legislation has focused on fiscal controls and deficit reduction.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental principles of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution. Test your knowledge on the separation of powers, the structure of Congress, and the rights of citizens under these foundational documents. Prepare to understand how these legal frameworks shape the federal government.