AP Gov Congress Check

The role of a conference committee is to:

• hold hearings on proposed legislation

• oversee the actions fo the executive brnach

• conduct hearings

• reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate

 Which of the following statements about rules of procedure in the House and Senate is correct?

• The House operates more by formal rules, while the Senate operates more on informal understandings.  

• The rules are specified in Article I of the Constitution

• The rules in each chamber are determined by the majority whip

• a)  The rules can be changed by the President during a national emergency.

 Which of the following committees of the House of Representatives sets the conditions for debate and amendment of most legislation?

•   Ways and Means

• Agriculture

• Rules

• Governemnt operations

 Which of the following is generally true of the gerrymandering of congressional districts?

•       It results in more Democrats being elected to the House.
• It results in more Republicans being elected to the House
• It guarantees that all minority parties will be equally represented
• It creates districts that favor one political party over another

A major difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that

•   filibusters are possible only in the House
•    revenue bills must originate in the Senate
•   there is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House
•   each state has equal representation in the House but not in the Senate

 What was the result of the Connecticut (Great) Compromise?

• States were represented in the upper house, and individuals were represented in the lower house

•    All members of Congress were selected by direct election

•  individuals were given proportional representation in both the House and the Senate

• individuals were represented in the upper house, and states were represented in the lower house

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

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 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