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130 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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True or false:
Bicameralism was the invention of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. |
FALSE
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True or false:
George Washingtion believed that Senate would soften some of the more extreme legislation of the House. |
TRUE
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True or False:
A term is the length of time between elections in Congress. |
TRUE
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True or False:
Neither house of Congress may end a session without the consent of the other. |
TRUE
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True or False:
The President may not call the Congress into session. |
FALSE
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Multiple Choice:
Why is Congress at the heart of the most basic governmental function of our democratic system? A) because Congress spends the people's money B) because Congress makes the nation's laws C) because many President's were former representatives or senators D) because members of Congress serve two- or six-year terms |
B) Because Congress makes the nation's laws
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Multiple Choice:
Theoretically, the Framers of the Constitution favored bicameralism because A) the houses might act as a check and balance on each other B) two houses could block the acts of one President. C) one house would spend more money than two D)Great Britain had only one Parliament. |
A) house might act as a check and balance on each other
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Multiple Choice:
Which of the following is a justification for a State with a small populatioon having the smae number of senators as a State with a large population? A) People in small States are just as smart as people in large ones B) Small States may have just as many natural resources as large States C) Each senator represents the same numer of people in Congress D) Equal representation allows the States to be represented as coequal members and partners in the Union. |
D) Equal representation allows the States to be represented as coequal members and partners in the Union.
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Multiple Choice:
Which of the following is NOT a reason why the Constitution established a bicameral legislature? A) British parliament and most colonial assemblies were bicameral B) It settled the conflict between the Virgina and New Jersey plans of 1787 C) Each of two houses might act to restrain the order D) Many countries have bicameral legislatures. |
D) Many countries have bicameral legislatures
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Multiple Choice:
Which of the following is the main reason that the President rarely has to call Congress into special session? A) The President controls the Congress and does not need specail sessions B) Congress now meets nearly year-round anyway C) Congress made it clear that it was tired of special sessions D) The Supreme Court declared special sessions unconstitutional. |
B) Congress now meets nearly year-round anyway
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Vocabulary:
Held between presidential elections |
off-year election
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Vocab:
Representative chosen from the State as a whole |
single member district
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Vocab:
distributed |
apportioned
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Vocab: district drawn to the advantage of the political party in control of a State Legislature
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gerrymandered
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Vocab:
geographical district from which a representative is chosen from a field of candidates |
at-large district
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MC:
How many seats are currently in the House of Representatives? A) 435 B)186 C)142 D)100 |
A) 435
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MC:
What has been the most common outcome of off-year elections? A) The Democratic party wins B) The Republican party wins C) The President's party increases its number of seats D) The President's party decreases its number os seats |
D) the President's party decreases its number of seats
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MC:
When must congressional elections be held? A) the first Tuesday of every second November B) the second day of January in odd years C) the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years D) the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in odd-numbered years |
C) the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years
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MC:
Which of the following principles was strengthened by Wesberry v. Sanders? A) one person, one vote B) geographic districting C) a person should only have one spouse D) only constitutional qualifications should be considered when a representative first takes a seat in the House |
A. one person, one vote
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MC:
Which of the following is NOT a qualification for House members? A) being a citizen for at least 7 years B) being 25 yrs old C) being an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is chosen D) never having been in jail |
D. never having been in jail
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True or False:
A senator is required to meet the same requirements for office as a member of the House |
FALSE
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True or False
Like the House, all the Senate seats are up for election at the same time. |
FALSE
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True or False
If a new State joins the nation, the total number of senators in the Senate will remain the same |
FALSE
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True or False:
The words "continous body" as applied to the Senate, mean that all its seats are never up for election at the same time. |
TRUE
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True or False
The Senate may expel one of its members with a 2/3 vote |
TRUE
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MC:
Why is the Senate called the upper house? A) it always meets on the second floor of the Capitol B) It has stricter qualifications than the House, more prestige, a longer term of office, and has been a stepping-stone to higher political office C) The job of a senator is easier than that of a representative D) Membership in the Senate is a requirement for running for President. |
B) It has stricter qualifications than the House, more prestige, a longer term of office, and has been a stepping-stone to higher political office.
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MC:
Why do members of the Senate serve 6 years, whereas members of the House serve only 2? A) it costs more to run for the Senate than for the House B) the job of the senator takes longer to learn than that of representative C) Senators should not be as concerned with the pressures of election campaigns, so that they can focus on the "big picture" of government. D) Senators need time to train their bigger staffs. |
C) Senators should not be concerned with the pressures of election campaigns, so that they can focus on the "big picture" of government.
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MC: Which of the following is a qualification for election to the Senate?
A) citizenship for at least nine years B) 25 years of age C) inhabitant of a nearby State D) possession of great wealth |
A) citizenship for at least nine years
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MC:
Why have Senators usually become famous eariler in their careers than representatives? A) their great wealth B) their closeness to the presidency C) the popularity of the Senate D) the small size, long terms, and large staffs of the Senate |
D) the small size, long terms, and large staffs of the Senate
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MC:
Before the adoption of the 17th Amemendment in 1913, who chose senators? A) State governors B) State legislatures C) State supreme courts D) the people of the State |
B) State legislatures
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Vocab:
With just a fraction of its seats up for election at any one time, the Senate is the sole ________ in Congress |
continuous body
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Vocab:
Congress must meet formally at least twice during each ________ to carry out the business of lawmaking |
term
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Vocab:
Voters choose among candidates running exclusively in their districts under the ________ system of election. |
single-member district
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Vocab:
An emergency may prompt the President to call a _______ of Congress. |
special session
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Vocab:
Seats in the House of Representatives are _______ among the States according to their populations. |
apportioned
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Vocab:
States with only one member in the House of Representatives use the _______ system to elect their representative |
at-large
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MC:
The lawmaking function of Congress is central to democracy because a. it enables elected representatives to do the daily work of government b. legislative powers are necessary to check the power of the President c. it frees members of Congress from the pressures of public opinion d. it is the means by which the public will becomes public policy |
d. it is the means by which the public will becomes public policy
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MC:
Which statement about the Senate is true? a. it has two members from each state b. its members are chosen by State legislatures c. each member represents one congressional district d. seats are apportioned among the States according to their populations |
a. it has two members from each State
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MC:
The fact that all congressional districts in a State must have about the same number of people so that one person's vote is equal to another's is due to the a. Reapportionment Act of 1929 b. Wesberry v. Sanders ruling c. 17th Amendment d. Census Bureau |
b. Wesberry v. Sanders ruling
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MC:
Compensation for senators is a. set by the Constitution b. higher than for representatives c. set by the president d. the same as for representatives |
d. the same as for representatives
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MC:
In Congress, screening bills for floor consideration is a major duty of a. committee members b. constituent servants c. constituent representatives d. politicians |
a. committee members
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MC:
The regular period of time during which Congress conducts its business is called a a. prorogue b. session c. special session d. congressional meeting |
b. session
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MC:
Few members of Congress today a. are minorities b. have college degrees c. are white males d. are married |
a. are minorities
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MC:
The Framers of the Constitution favored bicameralism because a. two houses could block the acts of a single President b. it allowed for fair and equal representation of the States at the national level c. Great Britain had only one house of Parliament d. one house would spend more money than two |
b. it allowed for fair and equal representation of the States at the national level
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MC:
Which of the following is true of the House of Representatives? a. it currently has 100 members b. the total number of seats in the House is fixed by the Constitution c. The number of terms a representative may serve is fixed by the Constitution d. Every state is represented by at least one member |
d. Every state is represented by at least one member
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MC:
When must congressional elections be held? a. the first Tuesday of every November b. the second day of January in odd years c. the Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year d. the Monday after the first Tuesday in November of each odd-numbered year |
C. The Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year
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MC: Senators are elected to serve
a. two-year terms b. three-year terms c. four-year terms d. six-year terms |
d. six-year terms
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MC:
Which of the following is a qualification for senators? a. must have been born in the State from which elected b. must have a degree in law c. must have been a citizen for at least nine years d. must be at least 40 years old |
c. must have been a citizen for at least nine years
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MC:
Why does the Constitution guarantee that the courts may not prosecute members of Congress for what they say in the House of Senate in relation to congressional business? a. Members never criticize one another b. Freedom of speech is a vital part of legislative debate c. The courts have no jurisdiction in Washington DC d. Members have the same privileges in their districts |
B. Freedom of speech is a vital part of legislative debate
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MC:
All of the following are differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate EXCEPT: a. size of membership b. length of term c. method of election d. size of constituency |
c. method of election
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MC:
The amount of business that Congress must handle has the side effect of a. lessing the likelihood of a special session b. lengthening the term in Congress c. eroding the voters' confidence in their representatives d. shortening the length of each session |
a. lessening the likelihood of a special session
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MC:
The fact that Alaska has only one seat in the House is a reflection of all the following EXCEPT a. its geographic size b. the size of its population c. its status as a State in the union d. the most recent census |
a. its geographic size
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MC:
The party in power tends to lose seats in off-year elections because a. voters want to show support for the President b. voters are reacting to the President's policies c. the coattail effect has worn off by then d. both b and c |
d. both b and c
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MC:
To eliminate the problem of gerrymandering, Congress could a. require State legislation to draw congressional districts b. require members to be chosen on the single-member district basis c. require a bipartisan panel elected by the people of the State to draw congressional districts d. require the national legislature to draw congressional districts |
c. require a bipartisan panel elected by the people of the State to draw congressional districts
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MC:
Rural over-representation at the State level translated into a. minority over-representation at the national level b. Democratic over-representation at the national level c. rural over-representation at the national level d. rural under-representation at the national level |
c. rural over-representation at the national level
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Vocab:
a court order for a person to appear in court or produce documents |
subpoena
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Vocab:
lying under oath |
perjury
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Vocab:
the next in line, the replacement |
successor
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vocab:
find the accused not guilty |
acquit
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vocab:
bring charges against |
impeach
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MC:
Which of the following issues in recent years is Congress most vigorously pursuing to call a national convention to amend the Constitution? a. school busing b. abortion c. congressional term limits d. prayer in the public schools |
c. congressional term limits
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MC:
IF no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes for President, who must the House of Representatives choose among for President? a. the Senate b. the top three candidates in the electoral college balloting c. the top five contenders in the electoral college balloting d. state governors |
b. the top three contenders in the electoral college balloting
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MC:
After the House has impeached a President, what must happen next in order to remove that President from office? a. The Senate must convict the President b. the President must resign c. the people must vote d. the state legislatures must vote |
a. the senate must convict the President
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MC:
Which institution has the responsibility of confirming or rejecting presidential appointees and treaties? a. the Senate b. the House c. the Supreme Court d. the President |
a. the Senate
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Which of the following is NOT a reason for holding congressional investigations?
a. intructions from the president b. to gather information c. to oversee executive operations d. to focus public attention on an important issue |
a. instructions from the President
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Vocab:
The implied powers are based on the _____, giving Congress the ability to carry out its expressed powers. |
Necessary and Proper Clause
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Vocab
A(n) ______ would argue for a narrow interpretation of the powers of Congress |
strict constructionist
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vocab:
The _______ authorizes Congress to regulate all commercial interactions between the States. |
Commerce power
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Vocab:
Under the 25th Amendment, the President nominates a(n) ______ to the vice presidency. |
successor
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Vocab:
The Federal Government has often relied on _____ to pay for wars or social programs. |
deficit financing
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Vocab:
A(n) ______ favors a broad interpreatation of the Constitution, which would extend the powers of Congress. |
liberal constructionist
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Vocab:
Some country doctors once accepted livestock as payment for medical bills, but most creditors today demand to be paid in ________. |
legal tender
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The power to ______ provides a way of bringing charges against the President for any high crimes and misdemeanors committed while in office
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impeach
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A(n) _______ is a monetary sum first paid by one person and then passed on to another
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indirect tax
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A court order for a person to appear in court or produce documents is known as a(n) _______.
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subpoena
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MC:
Supreme Court rulings have been key to broadening the scope of which expressed power? a. the postal power b. the power to tax c. the commernce power d. eminent domain |
c. the commernce power
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MC:
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court a. ruled the doctrine of implied powers to be unconstitutional b. upheld the doctrine of implied powers c. upheld the right of the State of Maryland to tax a federal agency d. ruled the creation of a bank by Congress to be unconstitutional |
b. upheld the doctrine of implied powers
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MC:
Since 1789, the expansion of power of the National Government has been caused by all of the following EXCEPT: a. strict construction of the Constitution b. liberal construction of the Constitution c. technological advances d. economic crises |
a. strict construction of the Constitution
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MC:
The Supreme Court Ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden expanded the a. currency power by including paper money as legal tender b. power to tax by allowing a tax on incomes c. commerce power to include all commercial interactions d. power over territories to include the taking of private property |
c. commerce power to include all commercial interactions
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MC:
Which of the following nonlegislative powers may be exercised solely by the Senate? a. the power to propose constitutional amendments b. the power to elect a President if the electoral college fails to do so c. the power to approve or reject major presidential appointments d. the power to investigate the activities of public officials |
c. the power to approve or reject major presidential appointments
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MC:
All of the following expressed powers belong to Congress EXCEPT a. the power to declare war b. to power to tax exports c. the power to naturalize citizens d. the power to raise an army |
b. the power to tax exports
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MC:
Under the Constitution, Congress has the sole power to a. act as the commander in chief b. meet with foreign leaders c. declare war d. none of the above |
c. declare war
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MC:
Why did the Framers include the Necessary and Proper Clause in the Constitution? a. To empower Congress to pass laws needed to carry out the expressed powers b. to limit congressional powers to those expressly stated in the Constitution c. to define the scope of the inherent powers of Congress d. to set forth those powers considered necessary to the States |
a. to empower Congress to pass laws needed to carry out the expressed powers
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MC:
Who has the power to propose a constitutional amendments? a. president b. the Supreme Court c. Congress d. State Courts |
c. Congress
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MC:
In order to bring charges agianst the President or Vice President for misconduct in office, the House of Representatives is given a. exectutive powers b. the power to impeach c. the power to convict d. electoral duties |
b. the power to impeach
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MC:
All of the following war powers are granted to Congress EXCEPT the power to a. call forth the militia b. declare war c. raise and support a navy d. appoint a commander in chief. |
d. appoint a commander in chief
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MC:
Congress shares foreign relations power with the a. president b. Supreme Court c. States d. armed forces |
a. President
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MC:
Based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Gibbon's v. Ogden, 1824, it would be reasonable to assume that Chief Justice John Marshall favored a. a strict interpretation of the Constitution b. State's rights c. a liberal interpretation of the Constition d. deficit spending |
c. a liberal interpretation of the Constitution
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MC:
Which of the following groups was LEAST likely to have supported the Necessary and Proper Clause? a. the Framers b. the Supreme Court c. Federalists d. the Anti-federalists |
d. the anti-federalists
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MC:
The unwritten rule that can dilute the President's appointment power is a. senatorial courtesy b. executive agreement c. checks and balances d. party pracitces |
a. senatorial courtesy
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Vocab:
presiding officer of the Senate |
president of the Senate
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vocab:
most important posts go to ranking members |
seniority rule
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vocab:
temporary presiding officer |
president pro tempore
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vocab:
closed meeting |
party caucus
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vocab: assistant of party floor leaders
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whip
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MC:
Why is the organization of the Senate at the beginning of each term easier and less time consuming that that of the House? a. The house is more democratic b. The Senate is a continuous body c. the Senate has older members d. the House has no rules |
b. The Senate is a continous body
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MC:
Which of the following is a presiding officer? a. president of the Senate b. Speaker of the House c. president pro tempore d. all of the above |
d. all of the above
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MC:
Which of the following is NOT true about the president of the Senate and the Speaker of the House? a. both hold an office mentioned in the Constitution b. both are elected officials c. both are chosen by the members of a house of Congress d. both are allowed to vote under some circumstances |
c. both are chosen by the members of a house of Congress
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MC:
Which of the following is the main way a member of the House or Senate is appointed committee chairperson a. show special apitude for the job b. be in the House or Senate longer than anyone else wanting the job c. be supported by a majority of members of his or her house d. be requested by the President of the United States |
c. Be in the House or Senate longer than anyone else wanting the job
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MC:
Which of the following is NOT an argument against the seniority rule? a. the rule results in conflict within the party b. the rule ignores ability c. the rule discourages young members of Congress d. the rule promotes a "safe" constituency for committee chairpersons |
d. the rule promote's a "safe" constituency for committee chairpersons.
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True or False:
A standing committee is a permanent group |
FALSE
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True or False:
The main job of the House Rules Committee is to watch over the ethics of House members. |
FALSE
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True of False:
Select committees are set up for a specific purpose for a limited time. |
TRUE
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True or False:
Conference committees meet to confer over the organization of their respective houses. |
FALSE
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True or False:
The main job of standing committees or their subcommittees is to conduct investigations. |
FALSE
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MC:
Which of the following is not a standing committee in the House? a. Education and Labor b. Rules c. Ways and Means d. Covert Arms Transactions with Iran |
d. Covert Arms Transactions with Iran
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MC:
Why must a conference committee meet on a compromised bill even if both housed pass similar bills? a. It is an unwritten custom b. The bill must be identical when it goes to the President to sign. c. It creates something for legislators to do. d. None of the above |
b. The bill must be identical when it goes to the President to sign.
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MC:
Why are party politics so important in congressional organization? a. The majority party always holds the chairmanship and a majority of the seats on each committee. b. The majority party gets special privilleges in office assignments in the Congressional Office Building c. The majority party is invited to the White House more often d. The majority party elects the president of the Senate |
a. The majority party always holds the chairmanship and a majority of the seats on each committee.
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MC:
The main difference between a joint committee and a conference committee is a. joint committees are permanent; conference committees are tempoary b. Joint committees originate in the House; conference committees orginate in the Senate c. joint committees perform investigative or housekeeping duties; conference committees iron out differences in bills from both houses d. all of the above |
a. joint committees are permanent; conference committees are temporary
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MC:
Which of the following describes the main work of the House Rules Committee? a. It serves as a watchdog over members' behavior. b. It decides if a bill will be taken up by the full House c. It establishes the guidelines for appointing members to committees d. none of the above |
d. none of the above
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Vocab:
Voted on by either house, but has no force of law |
resolution
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vocab:
the House sitting as a large committee of itself |
Committee of the Whole
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vocab:
provision attached to an important measure |
rider
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vocab:
majority of the full membership of either house |
quorum
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vocab:
enables members to force a bill out of a committee pigeonhole |
discharge petition
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MC:
Which of the following has the possibility of gaining the force of law? a. resolution b. concurrent resolution c. joint resolution d. none of the above |
c. joint resolution
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MC:
What happens to a bill after its first reading? a. It is passed along to the Senate for a first reading b. it is referred to the appropriate committee c. it is a pigeonholed d. it is debated on the floor of the House |
b. it is referred to the appropriate standing committee
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Which of the following is NOT a course of action taken by a committee regarding a bill?
a. voting favorably on the bill, but postponing reporting it back to the full House until the next term b. reporting the bill favorably with a "do pass" recommendation c. refusing to report the bill d. reporting the bill in an amended form |
a. voting favorably on the bill, but postponing reporting it back to the full House until next term
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MC:
How can the House Rules Committee kill a bill even after it has been recommended by a standing committee? a. by refusing to approve the removal of the bill from the calendar and setting a time for its appearance on the floor b. by declaring the stnading committee out of order c. by declaring that the committee chairman has not followed the rules d. by placing the bill on a Sunday on the calendar |
a. by refusing to approve the removal of the bill from the calendar and setting a time for its appearence on the floor
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MC:
The following are methods of taking a floor vote, EXCEPT a. voice vote b. standing vote c. roll-call vote d. mail-in vote |
d. mail-in vote
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True or False:
The Senate, when considering a bill, tends to be more formal than the house. |
TRUE
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True or False:
The Senate is the house that practices filibusters |
TRUE
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True or False:
Filibusters are practiced by those in the minority on an issue |
TRUE
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True or False:
Cloture is a Senat rule for limiting debate |
TRUE
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True or False:
The President's only options are to sign or veto a bill passed in both the House and the Senate |
FALSE
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MC:
The main way to end a filibuster is by a. a 2/3 vote of the Senate b. invoking the Cloture Rule c. convening a conference committee d. voting the filibuster out of the office |
b. invoking the Cloture Rule
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MC:
Why do many senators hesitate to support cloture motions? a. They fear reprisal from their constituents b. they hope the filibuster will talk himself out a job c. they know they president of the Senate will eventually close debate anyway d. they worry that some day they themselves may want to use the filibuster and do no want to jeopardize the Senate tradition of free debate |
d. They worry that some day they themselves may want to use the filibuster and do not want to jeopardize the Senate tradition of free debate
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MC:
Which of the following is a rule that restricts a conference committee? a. The president must agree to a compromise version before it goes back to Congress for a vote b. The committee can consider only the points that the House and Senate bills disagree on c. the resulting compromise bill must be sent to the floors of the houses at least ten days before adjournment of the session. d. all of the above |
c. The resulting compromise bill must be sent to the floors of the houses at least 10 days before adjournment of the session
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MC:
Which of the following does the Constitution require? a. Every resolution passed by either house be sent to the President b. All bills pased by both house be sent to the President c. all bills submitted to a conference committee be sent to the President d. all of the above |
b. All bills passed by both house be sent to the President.
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MC:
WHich of the following is a way a bill can become a law without the President's signature? a. The President delegates the signing of the bill to the VP b. The President waits until the Congress is not in session c. The President fails to act on it within 10 days of recieving it while Congress is in session d. The President leaves the country |
c. The President fails to act on it within 10 days of recieving it while Congress is in session.
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