Module 3 Flashcards
Which of these statements is correct about Congress’s oversight authority? Select the one correct answer.
- Oversight is specifically mentioned in Article I, Section 8.
- Oversight is largely ineffective, because Congress lacks any authority over the executive branch.
- Oversight is not a specifically enumerated power, but rather is implied in Article I.
- Oversight is limited to its power of impeachment.
Oversight is not a specifically enumerated power, but rather is implied in Article I.
Correct. There is no specific “power of oversight” written into the Constitution, but it is implied in many constitutional provisions, including Congress’s power of the purse, advice and consent, and the power of impeachment.
Which of these is an example of Congress exercising its power under the Commerce Clause? Select the one correct answer.
- Requiring that bus lines serve all customers equally
- Prohibiting the presence of guns in school zones
- Regulating the working conditions and hours of minors employed in factories
- Establishing uniform standards for restaurant sanitation and hygiene
Requiring that bus lines serve all customers equally
Correct. Bus lines serve interstate commerce, which can be regulated by Congress
Which of these is a true statement concerning federal income tax? Select the one correct answer.
- Federal income tax was constitutionally authorized by Congress’s Article I powers.
- Federal income tax has always been the federal government’s primary source of revenue.
- Federal income tax required the ratification of a constitutional amendment, after the Supreme Court ruled that a previous attempt to tax income was unconstitutional.
- Federal income tax is equally applied to all taxpayers at a “flat” tax rate.
Federal income tax required the ratification of a constitutional amendment, after the Supreme Court ruled that a previous attempt to tax income was unconstitutional
Correct. Since previous congressional attempts to tax income were not “apportioned,” the Supreme Court ruled they were unconstitutional. The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution permitted Congress to tax income without regard to apportionment.
What is the major difference between congressional budget committees and appropriations committees? Select the one correct answer.
- While the president may veto individual sections of appropriations bills, he may not veto budget resolutions.
- There is no difference; these are just different names for the same committees.
- While the budget committees set overall spending limits, the appropriation committees are responsible for recommending specific allocations of funds.
- The congressional budget committees are less powerful because the president, not the Congress, has ultimate control over the federal budget.
While the budget committees set overall spending limits, the appropriation committees are responsible for recommending specific allocations of funds.
Correct. The Appropriations process allocates specific funds, or specific spending authority, while the budget process is concerned with the “big picture.”
How has the Constitution’s Interstate Commerce Clause been interpreted? Select the one correct answer.
- As giving Congress the authority to regulate trade with foreign nations
- Very narrowly, giving Congress power to stop states from charging fees to other states, but not much else
- As granting the early 19th century Congress the power to outlaw the slave trade
- Very broadly, forming the justification for much of Congress’s modern-day economic regulation
Very broadly, forming the justification for much of Congress’s modern-day economic regulation
Correct. Congress has relied on the Interstate Commerce Clause as support for its authority to pass such economic legislation as minimum wage laws.
Under the Constitution, who has the power related to war and peace? Select the one correct answer.
- The power over war and peace is exercised solely by the president
- The power over war and peace is shared by the president and both houses of Congress
- The power over war and peace is exercised solely by Congress
- The power over war and peace is shared by the president and the Senate.
The power over war and peace is shared by the president and both houses of Congress
Correct. Both houses of Congress are involved in the decision to “declare war,” but the Constitution makes the president the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
What is impeachment? Select the one correct answer.
- Impeachment is something that has never happened to a U.S. president.
- Impeachment is a formal accusation of treason, bribery or other “high crime or misdemeanor” made by the House before a trial is held in the Senate.
- Impeachment is removal from office as a result of a formal accusation by the Senate.
- Impeachment is a “check” that any of the three branches of government may use to restrain an abuse of power in any of the other branches.
Impeachment is a formal accusation of treason, bribery or other “high crime or misdemeanor” made by the House before a trial is held in the Senate.
Correct. Impeachment is a formal accusation made by the House of Representatives, and precedes a trial in the Senate.
Which of these most accurately describes checks and balances? Select the one correct answer.
- Each branch of government has an absolute right to stop the others from taking any action.
- Each branch can restrain the others through a system of shared powers.
- The states and the federal government have different areas of responsibilities, and neither should intrude on the other.
- No branch of government will ever be more powerful than the others.
Each branch can restrain the others through a system of shared powers.
Correct. The Constitution is a system of shared powers. Congress can pass legislation, but the president has the right to veto that legislation. The president may appoint federal judges, but the Senate is required to give its advice and consent.
Which of the following enumerated powers of Congress are generally regarded as responses to the weaknesses of the national legislature under the Articles of Confederation? Select all that apply.
- exclusive power to coin money
- power to regulate commerce
- power to construct and maintain interstate highways
- power to regulate banks
- exclusive power to coin money
- power to regulate commerce
Correct. These enumerated powers responded to the criticism that the national government under the Articles could not intervene to promote and support trade within the nation and that it could not establish common currency.
The oversight power of Congress is a form of ? judicial enumerated power.
implied
Enumerated powers
Enumerated powers are in the text of the Constitution.
Implied powers
Implied powers are based on the text of the Constitution.
Inherent powers
Inherent powers are outside the text of the Constitution.
Which of these functions do congressional committees serve? Select the one correct answer.
- Congressional committees ensure that all voices are heard on bills, as committee seats are usually evenly divided between the parties.
- Congressional committees save Congress time because a finance bill only needs to be approved by the Finance Committee and not the whole chamber.
- Congressional committees fulfill a constitutional requirement that Congress divide itself into committees.
- Congressional committees allow members of Congress to become experts on selected matters by concentrating their work on a few committees.
Congressional committees allow members of Congress to become experts on selected matters by concentrating their work on a few committees.
Correct. Members of Congress will usually focus their work on committees that are of interest to their constituents.
What is a key role of standing committees in the House and the Senate? Select the one correct answer.
- To appropriate money for various projects
- To confirm the nominations of the president
- To guarantee input from the minority party
- To give a detailed hearing to all proposed legislation
To give a detailed hearing to all proposed legislation
Correct. The committees provide a necessary division of labor for both houses of Congress.
Which of these statements describes one major different between a joint committee and a conference committee? Select the one correct answer.
- Conference committees are usually created by statutes, while joint committees are usually created by the rules of the House and Senate.
- A conference committee meets to consider one specific piece of legislation that has been passed in different forms in the two houses; a joint committee can be permanent.
- A joint committee has members of both houses serving on it; a conference committee does not.
- The name only. They are simply different terms used to describe the same thing.
A conference committee meets to consider one specific piece of legislation that has been passed in different forms in the two houses; a joint committee can be permanent.
Correct. A conference committee has one purpose only—to unify competing versions of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress.
Which of these statements describes a key difference between the House Rules Committee and the Senate Rules Committee? Select the one correct answer.
- The Senate Rules Committee is a select committee, while the House Rules Committee is a standing committee.
- The House Rules Committee has the power to vote a piece of legislation down, but the Senate Rules Committee does not.
- The Rules Committee in the House typically limits debate, but the Rules Committee in the Senate does not.
- The Senate Rules Committee is more powerful because the Senate is governed by standing rules.
The Rules Committee in the House typically limits debate, but the Rules Committee in the Senate does not.
Correct. Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate operates on the principle of unlimited debate taking away the ability of the Senate Rules Committee to automatically limit debate like the House Rules Committee does.
What happens when the president vetoes a piece of legislation? Select the one correct answer.
- The bill is dead. The president’s veto is an absolute barrier to the bill becoming law.
- It will usually be overridden if the opposing party has the majority of seats in Congress.
- The president must send the bill back to the originating house, which must then draft legislation addressing the president’s concerns.
- The president must send the bill back to the originating house with his objections to it. The bill will only become law if both houses vote to override by a two-thirds vote.
The president must send the bill back to the originating house with his objections to it. The bill will only become law if both houses vote to override by a two-thirds vote.
Correct. This procedure is mandated by the Constitution. If either house fails to override the veto by a two-thirds super-majority, the bill is dead.
Which of these is the most accurate statement about the process of a bill’s becoming a law? Select the one correct answer.
- The process is exactly the same in the Senate and the House.
- The process is complex and full of steps, at any of which a bill may die and have to begin the process again.
- The process requires the approval of the Supreme Court, which must confirm that the bill is constitutional.
- The process is dependent on the Congress alone.
The process is complex and full of steps, at any of which a bill may die and have to begin the process again.
Correct. The process is purposefully long and complex. A bill might die in committee or on the house floor, or due to a senate filibuster, or a presidential veto.
Which of these statements is correct about the Senate? Select the one correct answer.
- The Senate has a tradition of unlimited debate that is absolute. A filibustering senator has the absolute right to the floor.
- The Senate has a tradition of unlimited debate that can only be overcome by a majority vote.
- The Senate has a tradition of unlimited debate that can only be overcome by super-majority votes.
- The Senate has a Rules Committee that can set aside the Senate’s standing rules for a specific debate.
The Senate has a tradition of unlimited debate that can only be overcome by super-majority votes.
Correct. The Senate does have a tradition of unlimited debate, that can be overcome by cloture – a procedure that requires a 3/5 super-majority.
What gives a bill a better chance of becoming law? Select the one correct answer.
- A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it is sent to a conference committee.
- A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it has support from the minority party.
- A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it is a good bill.
- A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it receives a favorable report and vote from committees in the House and Senate.
A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it receives a favorable report and vote from committees in the House and Senate.
Correct. Since most bills die in committee, being reported out of committee is a critical step towards eventual passage.
What is essential for a bill to become a law? Select the one correct answer.
- To become a law, it is essential for a bill to get a favorable report and vote from a House committee.
- To become a law, it is essential for a bill to have the support of the majority and minority leaders in the Senate.
- To become a law, it is essential for a bill to pass both the House and the Senate in identical form.
- To become a law, it is essential for a bill to be supported by the President.
To become a law, it is essential for a bill to pass both the House and the Senate in identical form.
Correct. All legislation must pass both houses of Congress in exactly the same form before proceeding to the president to be signed (or rarely, vetoed)
Where are most bills prevented from becoming laws? Select the one correct answer.
- In the committees of the House and Senate
- By presidential veto
- By a negative vote in either the House of Representatives or the Senate
- Being overturned by the Supreme Court
In the committees of the House and Senate
Correct. The majority of bills die in committees as opposed to in any other part of the legislative process.
What is a key difference between standing committees and select committees? Select the one correct answer.
- Standing committees are very specialized, and select committees deal with broad issues.
- Standing committees continue from one session of Congress to the next, whereas select committees are temporary.
- Select committees have an equal number of Democrats and Republicans.
- Standing committees are in the House of Representatives, and select committees are in the Senate.
Standing committees continue from one session of Congress to the next, whereas select committees are temporary.
Correct. Standing committees are relatively permanent committees that continue on through multiple sessions of Congress, some for over 200 years, while select committees can have a very short life.
What is the purpose of a conference committee? Select the one correct answer.
- A conference committee is convened to work out a deal between the Senate and the president.
- A conference committee is convened to resolve differences in bills from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- A conference committee is convened to resolve discrepancies between tax income and spending, involving the appropriations committee and the tax committee.
- A conference committee is convened to deal with subjects that committees from both chambers have an interest in.
A conference committee is convened to resolve differences in bills from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Correct. The conference committee is designed to create a compromise that would be acceptable to majorities in both the House and the Senate.
What is a key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate? Select the one correct answer.
- One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to provide cost estimates for government programs
- One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to provide funding for specific projects, agencies, or programs in proposed legislation
- One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to decide which private real estate will be appropriated for national activities
- One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to provide estimates of how much money is available for Congress to spend
One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to provide funding for specific projects, agencies, or programs in proposed legislation
Correct. All bills that require the expenditure of funds have to go through and be approved in the appropriations committee which sets the level of spending that is authorized.
What is gerrymandering? Select the one correct answer.
- Gerrymandering is a term used for falsifying vote totals to ensure the election of a party or candidate.
- Gerrymandering is an effort to suppress the vote for the opposition party by limiting voting hours.
- Gerrymandering means drawing electoral boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.
- Gerrymandering means targeting election advertisements for a particular area of a district or state.
Gerrymandering means drawing electoral boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.
Correct. State legislatures frequently draw the boundaries to give the majority party an unfair advantage.
What is the Constitutional importance of the census for Congress? Select the one correct answer.
- The census identifies areas likely to vote Democratic or Republican.
- The census is used to calculate the number of registered voters for purposes of legislative representation.
- The census provides useful information on which areas of the country need which kinds of programs.
- The census provides population figures for the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives.
The census provides population figures for the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives.
Correct. The Constitution requires a census of people so that seats can be apportioned in the House of Representatives.
How has redistricting after the census affected the makeup of the House of Representatives? Select the one correct answer.
- Redistricting has permitted national parties to exert more control over members of the House of Representatives.
- Redistricting has had virtually no effect on the makeup of House of Representatives.
- Redistricting permits state legislatures to redraw boundaries to favor the majority party leading to changes in the makeup of the House of Representatives.
- Redistricting has favored states with more registered voters giving greater representation to wealthier portions of the population.
Redistricting permits state legislatures to redraw boundaries to favor the majority party leading to changes in the makeup of the House of Representatives.
Correct. Gerrymandering to the advantage of the majority party in state legislatures has been effective in influencing the makeup of the House of Representatives.
Which of these statements best describes the ruling of the Supreme Court on the issue of statistical sampling during a census? Select the one correct answer.
- The Supreme Court permitted statistical sampling, noting the difficulties of counting over 300 million people.
- The Supreme Court ruled that census procedures were up to the individual states, not the federal government.
- The Supreme Court permitted statistical sampling as long as the government presented evidence that certain identifiable groups were under-counted.
- The Supreme Court disallowed statistical sampling, saying that the Constitution requires an “actual enumeration.”
The Supreme Court disallowed statistical sampling, saying that the Constitution requires an “actual enumeration.”
Correct. The Constitutional language requires an “actual enumeration,” which, according to the Supreme Court, means that people must actually be counted.
Which of these statements is most accurate about the creation of majority-minority districts? Select the one correct answer.
- Majority-minority districts always benefit minority voters since it allows them to choose a minority representative.
- Majority-minority districts are unconstitutional because race cannot be taken into account in redistricting.
- Majority-minority districts can lead to the election of minority candidates in some districts, but often this is at the expense of diluting minority-vote strength in other districts.
- Majority-minority districts are required by the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Majority-minority districts can lead to the election of minority candidates in some districts, but often this is at the expense of diluting minority-vote strength in other districts.
Correct. Drawing districts to create a majority-minority district often can only be done by diluting minority voting strength in neighboring districts.
What was the ruling in the Supreme Court case Miller v. Johnson? Select the one correct answer.
- The ruling was that race may not be the “dominant and controlling” motivation in redistricting.
- The ruling was that deliberate creation of majority-minority districts is unconstitutional.
- The ruling was that race may not be taken into account in redistricting.
- The ruling was that the 1965 Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional.
The ruling was that race may not be the “dominant and controlling” motivation in redistricting.
Correct. The Court said that race could be taken into consideration, but that districts could not be drawn with only race in mind.
Which of these correctly describes the process of redistricting? Select the one correct answer.
- Redistricting is a straightforward process that has engendered little controversy.
- Redistricting is completely in the hands of individual state legislatures, who may draw lines however they please.
- Redistricting is the sole responsibility of the U.S. Congress.
- Redistricting is a complex process that is subject to constitutional restraints.
Redistricting is a complex process that is subject to constitutional restraints.
Correct. The Supreme Court has said that redistricting lines cannot be drawn based solely on race, and must be drawn to reflect the principle of “one person, one vote.”
Why is the census an important factor in American politics? Select the one correct answer.
- The census determines how many seats each state will get in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- The census gives the Census Bureau a chance to refine and improve its “sampling” techniques, to get a more accurate count of the actual population.
- The census determines how many seats each state will get in the House of Representatives, and consequently, how many votes each state will get in the Electoral College.
- Under the Constitution, the income tax must be “apportioned,” or distributed proportionally, among the states, based on the census.
The census determines how many seats each state will get in the House of Representatives, and consequently, how many votes each state will get in the Electoral College.
Correct. A state’s number of representatives – and consequently, its number of electoral votes – is determined by its population.
For what reason were majority-minority districts created? Select the one correct answer.
- Majority-minority districts were created to guarantee representation for the minority party.
- Majority-minority districts were created to avoid gerrymanders that diluted the voting power of minorities.
- Majority-minority districts were created to make districts as representative as possible.
- Majority-minority districts were created to dilute the voting power of minorities.
Majority-minority districts were created to avoid gerrymanders that diluted the voting power of minorities.
Correct. Gerrymanders in the past have been used to discriminate against minorities and to prevent them from electing members of their own group to public office.
What is one goal for the use of gerrymanders? Select the one correct answer.
- Gerrymanders ensure equal representation for parties.
- Gerrymandering is a technique used only by the Democratic Party.
- Gerrymanders give effective vetoes to the minority party in state legislatures.
- Gerrymanders dilute the power of the minority party by concentrating supporters in one or a few districts.
Gerrymanders dilute the power of the minority party by concentrating supporters in one or a few districts.
Correct. If supporters of the minority party are concentrated in one or a few districts, they can win those seats while the majority party will win all the other races.
What determines the number of members in the House of Representatives? Select the one correct answer.
- The number is determined by law.
- The number is determined by Presidential executive order.
- The number is determined by the Constitution.
- The number is determined by the census.
The number is determined by law.
Correct. In 1913 the number of Representatives was fixed by law at 435
How does the census affect the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives? Select the one correct answer.
- Due to changes in population, some states gain seats and other states lose seats.
- It has no effect since Congress has increased the seats to maintain its states’ number of Representatives.
- It has no effect since the census is designed only to provide facts for government programs.
- It means that the number of citizens determines the number of Representatives.
Due to changes in population, some states gain seats and other states lose seats.
Correct. The census requires that seats be apportioned among the states based on population which does change every decade
Which statement is the most accurate concerning the need for states to draw new district boundaries after each census? Select the one correct answer.
- Almost all states have to redraw boundaries since each Congressional district must have approximately an equal number of people.
- States may draw new boundaries, but they are not required to do so.
- States control how members of the House of Representatives are elected independently of court decisions or the national government.
- Only states that gain or lose in terms of the number of representatives have to draw new boundaries to accommodate the change.
Almost all states have to redraw boundaries since each Congressional district must have approximately an equal number of people.
Correct. Boundaries will usually have to be redrawn so that populations in districts are approximately equal so that everyone’s vote carries the same weight.
Who argued for the creation of a very powerful presidency? Select the one correct answer.
- Alexander Hamilton
- The creators of The Virginia Plan
- James Madison
- The creators of The New Jersey Plan
Alexander Hamilton
Correct. Hamilton wanted a very strong president who would serve for life, once elected.
How many terms in office can a president serve? Select the one correct answer.
- There is no formal limit, but George Washington established the principle that no president should serve more than two full terms, which has been followed.
- A president can serve only one full term but can complete a predessor’s term if it ends unexpectedly, moving the new president up from the vice president role.
- A president can serve only two terms in office.
- A president can be re-elected for as many terms as the voters continue to provide their support and their votes.
A president can serve only two terms in office.
Correct. The Twenty-Second Amendment limits any individual to two terms in office as president.
Why was the Twenty-Second Amendment proposed by Congress and ratified by the states, limiting the president to two terms in office? Select the one correct answer.
- The Presidency was becoming too weak.
- The Supreme Court ruled against an effort by Congress to limit the president to two terms.
- A number of presidents had attempted to serve more than two terms in the 1800s.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt won four consecutive terms, violating the principle established by George Washington of serving only two terms.
Franklin D. Roosevelt won four consecutive terms, violating the principle established by George Washington of serving only two terms.
Correct. Many people were unhappy with the fact that Roosevelt ran for four terms and was elected four times, setting a bad precedent for the future.
How far did the efforts go to remove Andrew Johnson from the office of the presidency? Select the one correct answer.
- The House of Representatives voted articles of impeachment which led to Johnson resigning as president.
- The House of Representatives voted in favor of articles of impeachment and Andrew Johnson was removed from office by a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
- The House of Representatives voted articles of impeachment, but the Senate did not vote to remove Johnson from office by the necessary two-thirds majority.
- The House of Representatives considered articles of impeachment but a majority did not vote in favor of any of these articles.
The House of Representatives voted articles of impeachment, but the Senate did not vote to remove Johnson from office by the necessary two-thirds majority.
Correct. Johnson was impeached, but the Senate did not muster enough votes to remove him from office.
Why do presidents give a State of the Union message? Select the one correct answer.
- The message is required by the Constitution.
- The president is not required to give the message but chooses to do so since it is a great opportunity to present proposals and ideas to the public.
- The message is required by an Act of Congress.
- George Washington gave such a message and the tradition was followed.
The message is required by the Constitution.
Correct. The Constitution requires that the president report to Congress on the state of the union from time to time and make recommendations to Congress.
What are the principal topics of a presidential State of the Union address? Select the one correct answer.
- A focus on domestic affairs only
- A discussion of past achievements only
- A focus on foreign policy and military affairs
- A discussion of past achievements and an agenda for the future
A discussion of past achievements and an agenda for the future
Correct. Presidents present their plans for the future and the goals they hope to achieve and invariably highlight what they see as past accomplishments.
How did President Polk bring about a war with Mexico? Select the one correct answer.
- President Polk issued an ultimatum to Mexico in his role of chief diplomat.
- President Polk broke off diplomatic relations with Mexico.
- President Polk ordered American troops to occupy disputed territory in his capacity of commander-in-chief.
- President Polk used economic pressure in his role of chief diplomat.
President Polk ordered American troops to occupy disputed territory in his capacity of commander-in-chief.
Correct. This was the method that he used to create a military confrontation in which Mexico could be blamed for starting the war.
Why did Andrew Jackson veto Congressional legislation? Select the one correct answer.
- Andrew Jackson wanted to maintain freedom of action as chief diplomat.
- Andrew Jackson wanted to defend the executive branch against Congressional efforts to control the presidency.
- Andrew Jackson disagreed with the content of the legislation.
- Andrew Jackson wanted to avoid putting government money in the national bank.
Andrew Jackson disagreed with the content of the legislation.
Correct. He used the veto, like modern presidents, because of policy disagreements.
Why did the Founding Fathers create the presidency? Select the one correct answer.
- The Founding Fathers were almost unanimous in the type of chief executive they wanted.
- The Founding Fathers wanted to have a leader who was weaker than the president under the Articles of Confederation.
- The Founding Fathers wanted an executive with sufficient power to lead the country in an emergency.
- The Founding Fathers wanted have a leader as powerful as the King of England.
The Founding Fathers wanted an executive with sufficient power to lead the country in an emergency.
Correct. The Founding Fathers were uncertain of what the office should be, but they knew they did now want an executive with the powers of a king but who had enough powers to lead.
Why do Presidents have great power? Select the one correct answer.
- Presidents have great power in order to make the United States a global superpower.
- Presidents have great power because of the increased power and size of the United States.
- Presidents have great power because the Constitution carefully details all the president’s authority and responsibility.
- Presidents have great power because the Founding Fathers wanted an extremely powerful office.
Presidents have great power because of the increased power and size of the United States.
Correct. The United States has evolved from a minor state to a superpower.
Which statement below accurately describes current presidential power to block legislation? Select the one correct answer.
- The president has no power to block legislation passed by Congress.
- The president has an absolute veto to prevent Congress from acting.
- The president has the power to veto legislation, but the veto can be overridden by Congress.
- The president is able to use a line-item veto to control spending.
The president has the power to veto legislation, but the veto can be overridden by Congress.
Correct. The President has a limited veto power.
How are executive agreements used? Select the one correct answer.
- Executive agreements are agreements with state governors.
- Executive agreements are directives to the administration’s bureaucracy.
- Executive agreements are used in international relations.
- Executive agreements are compromises with Congressional leaders.
Executive agreements are used in international relations.
Correct. They are agreements with foreign leaders.
Why was the Twelfth Amendment necessary? Select the one correct answer.
- The Twelfth Amendment was needed because Jefferson (the presidential candidate) and Burr received the same number of electoral votes, resulting in a tie.
- The Twelfth Amendment was needed because to reduce the ability of the president to veto legislation.
- The Twelfth Amendment was needed because the Electoral College failed to elect presidents.
- The Twelfth Amendment was needed because electors were voting for party candidates.
The Twelfth Amendment was needed because Jefferson (the presidential candidate) and Burr received the same number of electoral votes, resulting in a tie.
Correct. The Twelfth Amendment required separate votes for President and Vice-President.
Which of these presidents were subjected to impeachment? Select the one correct answer.
- Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump
- Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant
- James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, and James Buchanan
- Warren Harding and Richard Nixon
Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump
Correct. All were impeached but none were removed from office.
What is the key provision of the Twenty-Second Amendment? Select the one correct answer.
- The Twenty-Second Amendment required the direct election of Senators
- The Twenty-Second Amendment made the income tax legal.
- The Twenty-Second Amendment limited an individual to two terms as president.
- The Twenty-Second Amendment repealed Prohibition.
The Twenty-Second Amendment limited an individual to two terms as president.
Correct. This is true and was passed because Franklin Roosevelt was elected four times.
Which two states provide for the possibility of splitting their electoral votes by Congressional district? Select the one correct answer.
- Hawaii and Puerto Rico
- California and Texas
- Alaska and Delaware
- Maine and Nebraska
Maine and Nebraska
Correct. Maine was the first state to do so and Nebraska was the second.
What was the purpose of the Monroe Doctrine? Select the one correct answer.
- The Monroe Doctrine called for an annual State of the Union address to Congress.
- The Monroe Doctrine declared that the District of Columbia would become the nation’s capitol.
- The Monroe Doctrine established the system of checks and balances.
- The Monroe Doctrine discouraged the European powers of the time from intervening in the affairs of Western Hemisphere nations.
The Monroe Doctrine discouraged the European powers of the time from intervening in the affairs of Western Hemisphere nations.
Correct. And this set of principles laid the foundation for the growth of American power in the 20th century..
What does “executive privilege” refer to? Select the one correct answer.
- “Executive privilege” is the ability of the president to withhold information from Congress.
- “Executive privilege” is the ability of the president to issue orders to the bureaucracy.
- “Executive privilege” is the ability of the president to appoint judges.
- “Executive privilege” is the ability to serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces
“Executive privilege” is the ability of the president to withhold information from Congress.
Correct. Presidents have attempted to withhold information from Congress successfully in at least some circumstances.
Which of these does the Constitution require the president to do? Select the one correct answer.
- To be leader of a political party
- To appoint ambassadors
- To deliver a State of the Union address
- To prepare a budget
To deliver a State of the Union address
Correct. The Constitution requires that the president from time to time report to Congress on the state of the union.
Why do presidents use executive orders? Select the one correct answer.
- Executive orders are a way of getting around Congress when the legislature is not acting in a given area.
- Executive orders are a way of starting programs without Congressional approval for spending money.
- Executive orders are not subject to judicial review.
- Executive orders provide a means of dealing with foreign leaders without treaties and Senatorial approval.
Executive orders are a way of getting around Congress when the legislature is not acting in a given area
Correct. Executive orders can create new policies when presidential initiatives are bogged down in Congress
Select the one correct answer. In 2005, President George Bush appointed John Bolton the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations while the Senate wasn’t in session. This is an example of:
- Traditional presidential prerogative.
- A recess appointment.
- Congressional deference.
- Executive privilege.
A recess appointment.
Correct. President Bush made an appointment that would normally be considered by the Senate, while the Senate was not in session.
How were Japanese American citizens of the United States forced to move from the West Coast to relocation camps in the interior of the United States? Select the one correct answer.
- Only after an appeal to the Supreme Court
- By order of the governors of California, Oregon, and Washington
- By executive order
- By an act of Congress
By executive order
Correct. President Roosevelt, a chief executive, used to power to authorize the relocation.
Whom can a president pardon? Select the one correct answer
- Only someone convicted in a military trial
- Someone who is impeached
- Someone convicted of a crime in a state court
- Someone convicted of a crime in a federal court
Someone convicted of a crime in a federal court
Correct. Presidents can pardon someone convicted of a federal crime.
Who must approve an executive agreement? Select the one correct answer.
- A majority vote by both houses of Congress must approve an executive agreement.
- The president and the foreign political leader who is involved are the only ones who must approve an executive agreement.
- A two-thirds vote of the Senate must approve an executive agreement.
- A majority vote of the Cabinet must approve an executive agreement.
The president and the foreign political leader who is involved are the only ones who must approve an executive agreement.
Correct. No other formal approval is required.
