US Government and Politics Quiz

Which of the following statements accurately summarizes the reasoning for the decision in Baker v. Carr (1962)?

• Because rural districts had fewer people, representation was unevenly distributed; thus, Baker was denied equal protection under the law.

• To ensure equal protection under the law, there should be an equal number of rural and urban districts in a state.

• There should be redistricting every ten years at the federal level, but the state can choose not to redistrict at the state and local levels.

• Congressional redistricting must involve traditionally excluded groups in the process or it violates the equal protection clause.

On February 9, 2016, President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the 2017 fiscal year. Facing a Republican Congress, many declared the plan "dead on arrival." Among the cited issues was Obama's request for $582.7 billion in discretionary spending for defense, which many Republicans believed was not enough. Which of the following most accurately explains the interaction between the president and the Congress regarding the defense budget?

• The Congress has the enumerated power to raise revenue, but it is forced to work with the president because the president has the power to determine spending for each department in the upcoming fiscal year.

• The president can create a budget for defense spending, but Congress has the power to execute laws and operate the government, which can affect how much money is actually spent.

• Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill.

• The president introduces a specific budget bill for defense spending, but Congress uses its power of legislative oversight to set up a negotiation process with the president.

Which of the following is true of the seniority system of Congress in relation to committee leadership and committee staffing?

• Members of Congress with the longest continuous service are assured the chairmanship of major congressional committees.

• Members of congressional committees are the most senior members of the body's majority party.

• The oldest members of Congress have the most seniority.

• The chairs of congressional committees tend to be senior members of the body's majority party.

Which of the following enumerated powers would permit Congress to stimulate the economy by hiring unemployed citizens?

• The power to create immigration policies

• The power to regulate interstate commerce

• The power to pass a federal budget

• The power of legislative oversight

Which of the following answers lists the positions in Congress that are Constitutional?

• Speaker of the House, Senate Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader

• Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore

• Vice President, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader

• Speaker of the House, Vice President, and Senate Majority Leader

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 only to appropriation bills.

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

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

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the rules for debate used by the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate?

• House of Representatives: Debate is unlimited | Senate: Debate is limited

• House of Representatives: Members can filibuster | Senate: Members cannot filibuster

• House of Representatives: Debate is limited | Senate: Members can filibuster

• House of Representatives: Members cannot filibuster | Senate: Only the majority leader can filibuster

Which of the following accurately describes the composition of congressional committees?

• Committees are organized by the executive branch to ensure that both branches can communicate and negotiate policy goals.

• The United States Constitution requires that Congress organize itself into committees, with each party having equal access to committee seats.

• Committees are organized by the majority party to maintain control of the policy-making process.

• Committees are organized by state delegations so that each state has some role in deciding which bills get passed.

Which of the following statements about gerrymandering is true?

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

• 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.

• It ensures liberal control of the House of Representatives.

A member of the House of Representatives who wishes to be influential in the House itself would most likely seek a place on which of the following committees?

• Agriculture

• International Relations

• Transportation and Infrastructure

• Rules