AP Government Practice - Congress

Which of the following statements about gerrymandering is true?

• It has been banned by United States Supreme Court decisions starting with Baker v. Carr

• It was used traditionally to maintain urban control of the House of Representatives.

• It can be used by a political party to draw boundary lines to control as many districts as possible.

• It guarantees greater constituency control over elected representatives.

The term "pork barrel" refers to legislation specifically designed to

• encourage a balanced federal budget

• distribute excess produce to the poor

• equalize representation between farming and nonfarming states

• provide funding for local projects that are intended to benefit constituents

Which of the following is the most likely consequence of divided government?

• Reorganization of the federal bureaucracy

• Conflicts between states

• Delays in confirmation of federal court nominees

• Conflicts between national government and states

Which of the following statements about the Senate is true?

• Each state is represented in the Senate according to its population.

• The Senate, unlike the House, has a Rules Committee.

• The Senate is more responsible than the House for initiating appropriations legislation.

• Individual senators can exercise substantial influence over the legislative process.

All of the following are ways that the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT:

• Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional.

• The Senate may refuse to approve a presidential appointment.

• Congress may override a presidential veto.

• Congress may remove the president through its impeachment and conviction powers.

Which of the following is an example of congressional oversight?

• Assisting constituents with particular problems

• Holding hearings for review of an executive agency's activities

• Reporting campaign contributions to the Federal Election Commission

• Conducting ethics investigations of congressional leadership

Which of the following statements about motions for cloture is true?

• They force a bill out of committee so that the full House can vote on it.

• They are applied to bills that failed in the previous session of Congress.

• They occur whenever a bill is reported out of committee.

• They are used by senators to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote.

The role Congress plays in ensuring that executive branch agencies are carrying out their legislated responsibilities is known as

• judicial review

• legislative oversight

• executive privilege

• bicameralism

The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in

• the United States House of Representatives

• the United States Senate

• the Office of Management and Budget

• a White House budget resolution

Federal budget entitlements refer to spending

• to provide individual benefits established by legislation

• by congressional staff while traveling on official business

• on behalf of life, liberty, and the pursuit of· happiness

• targeted to benefit residents of specific congressional districts