U.S. Politics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

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

It can change appellate jurisdiction of federal courts (correct)

It can filibuster decisions made by courts

It can review federal judges for reappointment every ten years

It can prohibit judicial activism

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

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

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

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 the transport of agricultural goods

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 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

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?

B 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 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.

House Majority Leader 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.

Majority Leader 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...

Bill Hagerty 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?

There are more open seat elections with there are no 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 states' ability to draw legislative districts with few size and shape restrictions. Congress can overrule the states when drawing federal legislative districts, but not state legislative districts.

Question 3

The federal government's role in interstate commerce has been significantly expanded through court interpretations of the interstate commerce clause.

Question 4

(No information given)

Question 5

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

Question 6

(No information given)

Question 7

"Logrolling" is the practice when a legislator votes for a colleague's bill in the expectation the colleague will reciprocate in the future.

Question 8

The most notable power of the House of Representatives is the power to author bills for raising revenue.

Question 9

A conference committee was formed to further develop legislative ideas and policies, and include members from the Natural Resources and Energy and Commerce committees.

Question 10

A bill passed by both chambers with amendments added by the House, but not approved by the Senate, is likely prompting the need for a conference committee.

Question 11

"Closed rule" debate in the House means only senior members participate and amendments cannot be offered. The debate is conducted with five-minute speeches.

Question 12

(No information given)

Question 13

The Senate has the power to approve presidential nominees and ratify treaties. It also has the ability to filibuster.

Question 14

Congressional standing committees are permanent subject-matter based committees.

Question 15

Members of Congress voting based on the preferences of a majority of their constituents align with the delegate role.

Question 16

The Budget & Impoundment Control Act is an example where Congress attempted to regain control of powers lost to the executive branch.

Question 17

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

Question 18

The House's committee system is more significant than the Senate's due to its larger size and the constitutionally mandated committee structure.

Question 19

"Pork barrel" legislation enhances a member of Congress's reelection prospects by fostering a reputation for service within their district.

Question 20

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

Question 21

(No information given)

Question 22

State legislatures typically define the boundaries of U.S. congressional districts.

Question 23

(No answer)

Question 24

The Senate requires a 60-vote supermajority for significant actions like legislation and nominations.

Question 25

The Necessary and Proper Clause of the U.S. Constitution has frequently been central in debates concerning the balance of power in the government. It's about the principle of flexibility in the role of enumerated powers.

Question 26

Legislative hearings, specifically subcommittees, are where the details of legislation often unfold.

Question 27

Most bills introduced in both chambers are typically not passed into law without a presidential veto.

Question 28

The Rules Committee's role encompasses aspects like initiating spending legislation, determining procedures for nominations, setting rules for subcommittee selections, and orchestrating the placement of bills on the legislative calendar, limiting debate periods, and defining permitted amendments.

Question 29

(No information given)

Question 30

In the House, members represent broader constituencies, whereas members of the Senate represent more homogenous constituencies.

Question 31

(No information given)

Question 32

The Speaker of the House is responsible for overseeing legislative procedures and order on the House floor.

Question 33

The Speaker of the House is the most powerful member in the House.

Question 34

(No information on Tennessee's delegation)

Question 35

Drawing legislative districts based on the race of voters is not permitted.

Question 36

(No information given)

Question 37

(No information or graph)

Question 38

Critics of term limits might argue that less experienced legislators lack the necessary institutional knowledge or expertise, that incumbents might take their positions for granted, and that representatives need multiple terms to achieve the required level of legislative knowledge

Question 39

(No information given)

Question 40

Congressional member caucuses are primarily interest-based groups acting within Congress and often wielding considerable influence over legislation.

Question 41

The constitutional procedure for a bill to become a law is explained.

Question 42

Helping a constituent navigate a bureaucratic process, like benefits with the Veterans Administration, is an example of congressional casework

Question 43

(No information given)

Question 44

Agencies' failure to adequately oversee the banking industry contributed to the 2008-2009 recession.

Question 45

Incumbents might de-emphasize their policy stances to attract broader campaign support from interest groups and align with a popular figure (like the president), even if their stated preferences conflict.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the influence of Congress and the judiciary as well as key Supreme Court decisions, like Baker v. Carr. This quiz explores concepts such as interstate commerce, legislative districting, and the practices of pork barreling and logrolling in politics.