GOV L11 Prep

Where do most members of Congress begin their political careers?

• as staff assistants

• as lobbyists

• in the military

• in local politics

Which of these events triggers reapportionment of seats in the House of Representatives?

• the decision of the House to authorize redistricting

• a change in House leadership

• a census conducted every 10 years

• the election of representatives every 2 years

What determines the number of seats in the Senate?

• The number of seats depends on each state's population.

• The Constitution specifies the exact number of seats.

• The number of seats depends on the number of states.

• Congress fixed the maximum number of seats in 1911.

Which of these powers belongs only to the Senate?

• the power to ratify treaties

• the power to conduct hearings

• the power to impeach officials

• the power to initiate tax bills

Which of these is the best definition of constituents?

• voters in an elected official's home state who belong to the same party

• donors who contribute cash or services to an electoral campaign

• residents of an electoral district represented by an elected official

• citizens nationwide who benefit from an elected official's programs

What do the powers of oversight, confirmation, impeachment, ratification, override, and amendment have in common?

• They force the two chambers of Congress to cooperate with each other.

• They keep Congress from becoming too powerful.

• They enable Congress to dominate the other two branches.

• They help Congress check the power of the other two branches.

Which of these groups handles most of the detailed work of lawmaking in Congress?

• conference committees

• joint committees

• select committees

• standing committees

Which of the following might apply to state lawmakers but not to members of Congress?

• citizenship requirements

• advantage of incumbency

• minimum age qualifications

• term limits

In saying “The power of the speaker of the House is the power of scheduling,” Tip O’Neill was referring mostly to the Speaker’s power to do which of the following?

• decide which bills will be debated and when

• choose the hours of breaks and meals

• control the meeting dates of committees

• determine the timing of national elections

A conference committee is made up of members from both the

• Republican and Democratic caucuses.

• House and the Senate

• majority and minority parties.

• legislative and executive branches.