Taxing and Spending Bills

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of taxes collected by the government?

• To support government programs and services

• To increase the wealth of politicians

• To discourage people from earning money

• To reduce the population

Multiple Choice

Which committee in the House of Representatives is primarily responsible for tax laws?

• House Judiciary Committee

• House Ways and Means Committee

• House Appropriations Committee

• House Rules Committee

Multiple Choice

forbids members from adding any amendments to a bill from the floor

• closed rule

• open rule

• house rule

• micro rule

Multiple Choice

Open rule

• allows debating a bill on the floor and adding amendments to it

• forbids members from adding any amendments to a bill from the floor

• decides whether to agree with presidential requests for tax cuts or increases

• money that people and businesses pay to support the government

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about the Senate's role in tax laws is correct?

• The Senate starts all tax bills.

• The Senate can propose amendments to tax bills passed by the House.

• The Senate cannot change tax bills from the House.

• The Senate has no committees related to tax laws.

Multiple Choice

How are tax bills similar to appropriations bills in the Senate?

• Both often have many amendments attached.

• Both are only voted on by the House.

• Both are free from amendments

• Both deal with foreign policy

Multiple Choice

What is the power of appropriation held by Congress?

• The power to approve government spending

• The power to declare war

• The power to appoint judges

• The power to veto bills

Multiple Choice

According to Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution, what must happen before money can be taken from the Treasury?

• Congress must pass appropriations by law

• The President must approve it

• The Supreme Court must review it

• The states must vote on it

Multiple Choice

An appropriations bill is a proposed _____________ to authorize spending money.

• law

• committee

• rule

• authorization

Multiple Select

Which of the following are responsibilities of appropriations committees in Congress?

• Creating appropriations bills

• Deciding how much money to give to programs

• Passing authorization bills

• Proposing laws to declare war

Multiple Choice

What might Congress do if the House and Senate cannot agree on appropriations bills?

• Pass continuing resolutions

• Shut down the government

• Hold new elections

• Increase taxes

Multiple Choice

What is the main responsibility of the Appropriations Committees in both the House and the Senate?

• To create new laws

• To influence the budgets of government agencies

• To elect the President

• To manage foreign policy

Multiple Choice

Why might appropriations subcommittees be more likely to approve certain agencies' requests for money?

• They have no influence over budgets

• They develop close relationships with agencies

• They are required by law to approve all requests

• They only meet once a year

Multiple Choice

What is an earmark?

• A special instruction to use funds for a specific purpose

• A law passed by Congress

• A type of election

• committee member

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes 'uncontrollable expenditures'?

• Spending that Congress can easily change

• Costs that require a new law to be changed

• Discretionary spending on new programs

• Spending that is not included in the federal budget

Multiple Select

Select all that are considered types of entitlements according to the text. Multiple answers

• Social Security benefits

• Interest on the national debt

• Veterans’ pensions

• Federal contracts

Multiple Choice

Why is it important for Congress to pass laws to raise and spend money?

• To ensure the government has funds for its programs and services

• To increase the popularity of Congress members

• To reduce the number of government employees

• To avoid holding elections