AP Government Congress Review

Which of the following powers is shared by the House of Representatives and the Senate?

• Establishing federal courts

• Approving treaties

• Holding confirmation hearings

• Approving presidential appointments

Which of the following committees plays a major role in the House in shaping tax policy?

• Finance

• Ways and Means

• Commerce

• Appropriations

Advocates of shifting the task of drawing United States House districts from state legislatures to independent commissions are likely to claim which of the following as an advantage of independent commissions?

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• House districts drawn by independent commissions are immune from challenges by the United States Department of Justice

• Independent commissions are more likely to create majority minority districts where they are appropriate

• Independent commissions significantly reduce the influence of partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process

• Independent commissions are more likely to create districts where minor parties can be victorious

Which of the following constitutional provisions broadened the power of Congress?

• The necessary and proper clause

• The equal protection clause

• The Tenth Amendment

• The Ninth Amendment

Which of the following actions by a congressional representative is an example of “pork barreling”?

• Misusing campaign contributions

• Directing federal funds into the representative’s district through legislation

• Accepting money from a political action committee (PAC)

• Attempting to kill a bill with unacceptable amendments

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances in action in the United States government?

• The president issues an executive order that freezes federal government hiring

• The president vetoes a bill passed by Congress

• The voters reject the status quo and elect all new members of Congress

• The House and Senate cannot agree on the same version of a bill to send to the president

Congressional oversight refers to the power of Congress to:

• Override presidential vetoes

• Hold public hearings before confirming judicial appointees

• Exercise some control over executive agencies

• Allow nongovernmental agencies to defend or refute pending legislation publically

Most of the work of legislating in Congress takes place in

• Joint committees

• Ad hoc committees

• Conference committees

• Standing committees

A discharge petition is rarely used in the House of Representatives because:

• It is unconstitutional

• The House is too large for a discharge petition to be effective

• It is a challenge to majority leadership and informal norms of behavior

• The unscheduled use of a discharge petition could offend members of the Senate

The House Rules Committee is an important part of the legislative process because it:

• Determines ethics rules for members’ conduct

• Negotiates compromises on bills with the Senate Rules Committee

• Determines the terms and conditions of debate when a bill goes to the House floor

• Has the authority to limit the Speaker and Minority leader in their use of patronage